ENGINEERING MONTH 2021 – MITCH SMITH

Engineering month is in full swing! Get to know our amazing engineers through our employee profiles.  This week we want you to get to know Mitch Smith.

Tell us about your role and what it entails:

While over my time at Trane I have worn almost every hat imaginable, my role on paper is Controls Account Manager. I work with our customers (owners, engineers and contractors) to specify HVAC control systems to meet both their specific needs and the needs of the building they design, build, own and / or operate.

How did you decide which type of engineering to get into?

I owe everything to my physics teacher for encouraging me to go to the engineering outreach day halfway through Grade 12. I knew I liked mechanical things but didn’t know where to learn more about it until after that day. I submitted my university application the next day! Mechanical was always my preference (I like things that move), though I’d argue I spend a lot of time in the electrical world these days.

What do you like most about working in engineering? 

There are two sides of this – first off, I love understanding and learning how the world around me works. As a kid I took apart far too many things I couldn’t put back together, largely to see what the insides contained. With the theory that I learned in university; I can at least explain to myself some of the decisions other engineers made during their design process. Secondly, I can take that learned knowledge to design systems as efficiently and effectively as possible. While being in a sales role tends to limit some of those design decisions, my conversations with consulting engineers in particular often dive deep into the weeds, so I need to have a firm grasp on both theory and application of different HVAC and HVAC control components. I love seeing something I worked with an engineer on show up on their construction drawings.

What types of challenges do you tend to encounter in your current role and how do you solve them?

Working in a sales role brings a lot of ‘soft skill’ challenges versus the typical ‘hard skill’ tools you learn in engineering. While you still need to know how to solve equations, select products for a certain application and speak theory about HVAC and HVAC controls, you also need to have the soft skills to converse with a wide variety of customers with varying degrees of friendliness to you and the company you represent. Nothing prepares you for walking into an engineer’s or contractor’s office and being met with crossed arms and hostile, one-word answers. So, summary; learning effective communication and how to diffuse uncomfortable situations has been a major opportunity for learning and growing in this role. I’ve met this with some reading and Googling, discussing with peers and lastly, trial by fire.

What sets Trane apart from other companies you’ve worked for?

I would say the people. Trane spends a lot of time and effort hiring and grooming great people, and it shows based on how many, and the strength of relationships I have with the team, both locally and remotely. If I run into a problem during a particular project, I know within a couple of calls, I can have the experience and wisdom of not only my local office, but all of Trane behind me to support me on whatever issue is at hand.

How do you contribute to the industry outside of work?

I have to say I haven’t been good with this as of late. I am a member of the local ASHRAE chapter and have recently joined the Board of Governors, but besides that, not much!

Get to know me: 

Grew up in: Selkirk, a town about 15 minutes north of Winnipeg. I ride the fine line where I can vibe with both country and city folk.

Calls home: Winnipeg

Hobbies: I love being active, though as injuries stack up, some previous activities like basketball and volleyball have been replaced with some less intense sports, e.g. cycling, skiing, and rowing. I enjoy working around the house, and once I’m spent for the day, I enjoy getting the Xbox warmed up to online game with the guys (thanks Covid!)

Favorite pet: My dog Mia, who’s staring at me while I write this.

Favorite place to be when you’re not at work: Nowhere in particular if there is something to keep me active and some sort of adventure.

Superhero you would like to be: Hmmm, tough one. I’m going with Iron Man. Reason being, he can design some sort of technology to be equal to any other superhero’s powers.

Least favorite chore: No question, hand-washing dishes. My best friend and I nearly ended our friendship because of it, which he poked fun at during his best man speech at my wedding.

Favorite band: If you ever want to channel my inner air guitar and potentially some karaoke, throw on some Boston.

If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? I don’t have an inspiring answer for this; I think one of my grandparents, to talk more about our family history and ‘the old country’.

 

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Engineering Month 2021 – Greg Burke

Engineering month is in full swing! Get to know our amazing engineers through our employee profiles.  This week we want you to get to know Greg Burke.

 

 

Tell us about your role and what it entails:

I work as an Account Manager/ HVAC Systems Engineer. My day to day is being a Technical Advisor of HVAC Equipment for Mechanical Consultants, Contractors and Building Owners.

How did you decide which type of engineering to get into?

A: I was always interested in Physics and Mathematics in High School, so Mechanical Engineer seemed fitting.

What do you like most about working in engineering? 

I’m always learning. It’s an industry where there is so much involved that you can never know it all! So, I try to continue to challenge myself and continue to learn and grow with the profession.

What types of challenges do you tend to encounter in your current role and how do you solve them?

A: Everyday is different and always brings on new challenges. My role is very Customer focused, so whenever I’m solving a problem I make sure to put myself in the shoes of the Customer to make sure the solution works for both the Customer and Trane.

What sets Trane apart from other companies you’ve worked for?

Trane’s all I’ve known since Graduating University!

How do you contribute to the industry outside of work?

I am the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning) Interior BC Chapter Co-Lead.

 

Get to know me: 

Grew up in: Saint John, New Brunswick

Calls home: Kelowna, BC

Hobbies: Snowboarding, Biking, Golf

Favorite pet: Our Dog, Paisley.

Favorite place to be when you’re not at work: Somewhere outdoors or in the mountains!

Super hero you would like to be: Spiderman

Least favorite chore: Laundry

Favorite band: Red Hot Chill Peppers

If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?  Wayne Gretzky

 

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International Women’s Day 2021 Holly Denby

Here at Trane Canada West are celebrating International Women’s Day all week! Get to know our amazing employees through their profiles.

 

 

Tell us about your role and what it entails? What do you enjoy about your job?

I am an Associate Controls Account Manager and I work with engineers, architects, contractors and owners/developers in the design, application, and sale of HVAC control and building automation systems. I am currently virtually attending Trane’s 6-month Graduate Training Program (GTP) with 40 other young engineers across North America. I’m apart of the 95th GTP class and I’m really enjoying learning the fundamentals of HVAC and sales from a diverse group of instructors.

 

What is your background? (Where did you grow up, university you attended, why did you start working in the industry?)

I grew up in Surrey, BC and attended the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna, BC. I graduated in June 2020 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and started with Trane shortly after! Prior to starting full-time I completed two internships with Trane as a Sales Intern.

 

What is your most memorable accomplishment?

My most memorable accomplishments from university include serving a term as the President of the Engineering Society and as an Executive for the Students’ Union. Being involved in student leadership was an extremely rewarding experience and gave me the opportunity to develop the soft skills that I have carried with me in starting my career as a sales engineer.

 

How do you contribute to the industry outside of work? (volunteering, mentoring sitting on committees).

Outside of work I love to participate in women in STEM outreach events! Later this month I’m sitting on a virtual UBC alumni panel and sharing my experience of being an engineer with young women in grades 10-12. I will also be attending a virtual event with the Women in Engineering club at UBC Okanagan to share my experience of being a new graduate. In the future, I hope I can be a mentor to young women and join more local chapter organizations such as ASHREA and the Association of Energy Engineers.

 

What advice would you give to another woman hoping to peruse a similar career?

I was terrified when I started my first year of engineering but by the end of the year, I was genuinely shocked by how much I’d accomplished and grown as an individual. Pursing a career in engineering is extremely rewarding and if you set your mind to it, show up every day and do your best, then engineering is for you!

 

What advice would you give to your younger self if you were given the opportunity?

To become comfortable with being uncomfortable, never stop learning and never let an opportunity to pass by.

 

What is something you’re excited to be working on?

I’m excited to graduate from Trane’s Graduate Training Program in June and put my new skills to use in building my network and brand in the HVAC controls industry.

 

This year’s theme for International Woman’s Day is #choosetochallenge which is about creating an inclusive world. What does an inclusive world mean to you as part of your role at Trane or individually?

Building an inclusive world means not only ensuring that women have a seat at the table but that they are empowered to use their voice and others are encouraged to listen.

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International Women’s Day 2021 Melanie Taylor

 

Here at Trane Canada West are celebrating International Women’s Day! Get to know our amazing employees through their profiles.

 

Tell us about your role and what it entails? What do you enjoy about your job?

I am the Service Coordinator for the Trane offices in Saskatoon, Regina, and Edmonton.  My position comprises many tasks; however, it all begins with receiving customer requests for service and scheduling the technician best suited to resolve the problem.  I appreciate the variety of responsibilities my role offers and the opportunities I’ve been provided.

 

What is your background? (Where did you grow up, university you attended, why did you start working in the industry?)

I was raised on a farm in rural Saskatchewan.  With few local opportunities, I moved to Saskatoon after graduating high school, and I attended business college. I worked in the medical field prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom. After a 6-year motherhood hiatus, I returned to the work force. In 2015, due to company restructuring, I found myself in pursuit of a new job and was contacted by the then HR manager inviting me to interview for a position with Trane. Six years later, here I am!

 

What is your most memorable accomplishment?

At my previous place of employment, I was a recipient of the company’s Core Award which was awarded to individuals who best displayed the company’s core values and traits.

 

What advice would you give to another woman hoping to peruse a similar career?

Always be yourself. Lead by example. Commit to learning and growing.

 

What advice would you give to your younger self if you were given the opportunity?

Believe in yourself, and you can accomplish anything. Be the type of person who always adds value to the lives of those around you.

 

What is something you’re excited to be working on?

Outside of work, I recently began to assist people by creating, or refining, their resumes and/or cover letters. Sometimes they are returning to the work force, maybe need to freshen up what they already have, or simply don’t have one. With this being a prospective employer’s first impression of you, it’s important to present a great one. The opportunity to serve others in my community has been very gratifying.

 

This year’s theme for International Woman’s Day is #choosetochallenge which is about creating an inclusive world. What does an inclusive world mean to you as part of your role at Trane or individually?

To me an inclusive world is one where everyone is treated with the same respect. Everyone should be provided the same courtesy regardless of their gender, race, sexuality etc. I feel it’s important we understand the challenges people face, and equally vital, to recognize the privilege afforded to others. Inclusion creates a safe space for everyone -in spite of our differences – to be seen, heard, and accepted in our families, at our workplace, and in the community. Inclusion is a choice. Being different is not.

 

Stay tuned for our next employee profile.

 

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