for chemical fume hoods, occupancy sensors, LED retrofits, condensation recovery and retro commissioning. In addition, we have taken opportunities to replace aging equipment that is more efficient, along with our teams working to program the buildings to help gain in on energy conservation opportunities. With COVID-19, we are able to reduce runtimes for the air in our administrative buildings, but still work to make sure lab/research facilities maintain the necessary temperatures.
What type of opportunities do you see moving ahead?
Solar is making large strides, just recently they made a breakthrough with the material
used for the panels (perovskite) that has a potential of +60% efficiency versus conventional silicon panels ~14%. This would assist in the size of your “solar farm” necessary to power your buildings, and may allow roofs to be more useful.
What are some of the things you expect to see, if and when, we get back to any type of normalcy? For ongoing safety, I expect people will continue to avoid large gatherings. In the office, we are noticing more productive meetings by utilizing web conferencing versus face to face. Face to face interactions will still have their place, as they are still pertinent to see the construction site in person.
From what you are seeing out there now? How would you say the industry is handling construction in this new landscape? The industry is handling it the best they can, facemasks have become an essential piece of PPE, which already had a place in some facets of the business anyway.
What should we expect to see six, 12 months down the road? Hopefully, we continue to see construction growth. I suspect distribution centers will grow in numbers as more and more are shopping online versus going in store. And online and big-box retailers will continue to offer quicker delivery times. HC
One-on-One with... Clinton “Brooks” Herman, CEFP, PMP Describe a typical day. Other than the obligatory cup or two of coffee, a typical work day starts with a review of emails. Second, reviewing all email flags that were set for the day and sending out requests/follow ups to the flags. Then, a review of what actions needed for any active projects and checking off the tasks one by one. After hopefully starting this way, the day becomes very open ended, maybe a random phone call for an issue to resolve, a new project just landed on your desk and you need to schedule a meeting with the client, or an unfortunate leak comes up and needs immediate attention. The day in the life of a project manager is usually never the same. Unpredictability is what we strive to settle.
What’s the biggest item on your to-do list right now? Continuing my MBA course load with the normal work day, and prepping for becoming a father.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job? Every project is rewarding just by seeing the finished product and plan come to fruition of how you intended it at the beginning. It
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is always best to hear words of encouragement from your clients that the project met their needs or exceeded their expectations.
What was the best advice you ever received? Take a step back and enjoy the fruits of your labor every once in a while. We can all get lost in the weeds of our day to day lives and forget why we are working on each task.
What’s the best thing a client ever said to you? The satisfaction that the project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, and completely met or exceeded their expectations.
How do you like to spend your down time? My wife, Briana, and I enjoy spending time with our two dogs, Ollie and Stella. Ollie is a full miniature Australian Shepherd full of energy, while Stella is our baby, a mutt with maybe some greyhound, as she can outrun most dogs. We are preparing to have our first child—a boy in early 2021. This has provided some new meaning to down time and utilizing it to the fullest. Otherwise, right now, you will find me studying my MBA courses with an expected end of 2021 completion.
COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION — DECEMBER 2020