2021 RETA Breeze May-June

2020-21 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Vern Sanderson, CIRO, CRST, RAI Wagner-Meinert, LLC PRESIDENT Eric Teale, CARO, CRST Danfoss Industrial Refrigeration EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Keith Harper, CARO Tyson Foods Inc TREASURER Pete Lepschat, CIRO, CRES, CRST Lineage Logistics SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Bengie Branham, CIRO Perdue Farms DIRECTORS Alan Gervais, CARO, CIRO Western Precooling Systems Bill Lape, CARO, CIRO, CRST SCS Engineers David Gulcynski, CIRO Dot Foods Inc. Debbie Koske Calibration Technologies, Inc Edward Johnson, CARO Schwans Global Supply Chain, Inc. Jeremy Murfin AC & R Specialists Jim Kovarik Gamma Graphics Jordan Reece, RAI Lanier Technical College Michael Hawkins Midatlantic Refrigeration, LLC Raymond Urban, CARO Lineage Logistics Ricky Jimenez, CIRO Mericle Mechanical Inc William Ellena Coastal Pacific Food Distributors, Inc COMMITTEE CHAIRS Dascha Whitmore, Marketing Dave Gulcynski, CIRO , Education Dot Foods, Inc. Jim Kovarik, National Conference Gamma Graphics Lee Pyle, CARO, Certification SCS Tracer Environmental Matt Hayes, CARO, Publications TJW Industrial Michael Hawkins, Membership Midatlantic Refrigeration, LLC Jim Barron, Executive Director

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

Somewhere along my short journey in this life and career, I stumbled my way across a concept of the 200-year present, a concept developed by sociologist Elise Boulding. At any given moment, if you consider the life spans of the oldest and youngest individuals alive which is approximately 200 years, you begin to understand the effect and impact past actions have on the present and the effect and impact of present actions on the future. The near-term future of 2025 has the HVAC&R industry facing a shortage of Technicians in the US potentially as high as 180,000 individuals. That number is daunting alone without considering what the worldwide shortage could be. This shortage is an effect of our industry and society’s past and is coming at a time of change for our industry as other effects of our past are causing us to use refrigerants that have less of an impact on our future environment. The “why” of an individual should consider a career in our industry is well understood, good pay, potential for advancement, and it is a career that has real impact on environmental sustainability. The “how” to get people into our industry and help to eliminate the shortage is all our responsibility to figure out. One way to do that is to build your legacy. When I start to think of my legacy, I start to see how in my past, my mentors brought me into the refrigeration community where I was able to learn and grow and be a part of building the future. I have been involved at the local chapter level as volunteer leader and by just showing up and being present.

Eric Teale, RETA National President

I have shared my career story with students at Minnesota State University, Mankato to show them the possibilities that a career in refrigeration holds. I have been active in RETA and IIAR committees to share the knowledge I have gained and been given with others. I am part of building the RETA Training Institute to help bring individuals in our industry. These are the things that I am currently doing that will have effects that stretch into the future well beyond my lifetime. What are you doing to build your legacy? Are you teaching and sharing the knowledge and wisdom that you gained? Are you reaching out to local schools to help recruit? Are you being open minded to new ways of thinking and technology? Are you attending RETA meetings locally or virtual? Are you volunteering your time in committees or local chapter leadership? If you want to contribute to your legacy and contribute to building the future of RETA and RETA Training Institute, we have place for you to belong. Contact myself or RETA Headquarters to get connected. In the words the Joseph M. Marshall III, “Wisdom travels many roads and knows no boundaries. It is a fleeting gift, grasp it while you can, for it is not yours to keep, but to use and pass on.”

Sincerely, Eric W. Teale, P.E., CRST RETA President 2020-2021 eric.w.teale@gmail.com

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