2021 RETA Breeze Jan-Feb

MESSAGE FROM DON TRAGETHON I was invited to write a message about the importance of the association, the volunteers, the staff, and board of directors. I want to take this opportunity to discuss the importance of the association and return to celebrate the volunteers, staff, and board of directors. “Celebrate” you say? Yes, more to follow.

What makes the association important? RETA is important because of the work that goes in to meeting the mission statement. RETA’s mission is to enhance the professional development of operating and technical engineers. The people that operate and maintain refrigeration systems are essential to the quality of life for everyone that receives their food from the grocery store or a restaurant. Having access to training and instruction for the safe and effective operation of systems is important to the ones who do the work. RETA is continually working to improve the instructional materials presented in a variety of ways. The certification program serves as the best confirmation of the operator’s understanding of the theory and practices for the technical level being tested.

Another aspect of RETA’s importance is the opportunity provided for people to meet and get to know others. This is done by participating in chapter meetings, taking training classes, or attending conference. Recently my chapter hosted a 30 hour CIRO review course. We met after hours, from six until eight-thirty for twelve nights. The sessions were presented over Zoom. By the time we got to the third session everyone (34 people) were getting comfortable with one another and participated easily answering questions I pose – and more importantly, asking me for clarification about what was being presented. So, here we are, students from Central Coast of California, Northern California, Southern California, the Central Valley of California, and an operator from Fargo, North Dakota. The range of

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