Is it time to give up the throne already? I demand a recount! I want to revise the Bylaws and set longer term limits!

It feels like my year as President started just a few weeks ago. If I look back on the season, there have been many highlights and certainly just as many times of feeling challenged by the amount of time and dedication it takes to lead, what I think is, the best ASHRAE Chapter. I say this not to give a sense of superiority over other Chapters, but rather to toast our own. The honor was all mine to have been able to represent a top notch group of engineers, designers, researchers, students, academics, vendors, sales reps, etc. With that honor of leading a stellar group of folks, however, comes what I felt as slight bit of stress to write interesting and relevant President’s Messages, lead good and productive Board meetings, serve as an engaging host at our Chapter monthly meetings, and be as professional and courteous as possible when representing the Chapter at the Chapter Regional Conference. I think I did OK and can only hope that the Chapter agrees.

One of the major highlights actually happened twice! I had the pleasure of serving on the Seminar Committee with Glenn Friedman, Tyler Bradshaw, and David Okada last fall and again in the spring with the same three gentlemen and Clark Bisel leading us. In September 2007 and May 2008, we co-hosted (with the PG&E Pacific Energy Center) two climate change seminars with great success. We brought several leaders in the energy and climate change field and thanks to our sponsors, we were able to offer the seminar for free and make a profit at the same time to support scholarships and research.

Another major highlight came in many small doses. I think Jeff Blaevoet did a great job in organizing the speakers and their presentations this past season. I won’t list them all, for they are on the Web site and in the various issues of the Fog Dispenser. I’ll miss having Glenn’s institutional knowledge and wisdom next year, but at the same time am excited about the fact that we are bringing on two new board members.

I’d like to welcome Tom Weaver and Isabelle Lavedrine who will serve as 2nd Year and 1st Year Boar Members, respectively. Kristin DeMartini will be handling the Chapter’s finances as our loyal Treasurer, Gary Harbison will be our Secretary in charge of accurate minutes and the Chapter Fog Dispenser Newsletter, Scott Wayland will have a hard act to follow in assembling another great lineup of interesting speakers and speaker topics. Jeff Blaevoet will be at the helm leading our Chapter for the next season. And, of course, I will stay on as a Board Member as Past-President and try to pass on what I can to help the officers and board members have another great season.

And of course, the Officers and I would have been unable to lead the Chapter without the assistance and dedication of our Committee Chairs. So hats off to each and every one of them for their volunteerism and dedication to making our Chapter successful! We couldn’t have done it without you Arlene, Gina, Jeffrey, Tyler, David, Tim, Tom, Becky, Cory, Steve, James, Gene, Clark, Wasil, and Annie! A big thank you to each of you!

Best regards,

Robert Marcial
2007 – 2008 GG ASHRAE President

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