2021 RETA Breeze Nov/Dec

2021-22 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Aer Teale, CARO, CRST Lineage Logistics PRESIDENT Keith Harper, CARO Tyson Foods Inc

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Bengie Branham, CIRO, RAI Perdue Farms TREASURER Michael Hawkins, CARO Midatlantic Refrigeration, LLC SECOND VICE PRESIDENT David Gulcynski, CIRO Dot Foods Inc. DIRECTORS Alan Gervais, CARO, CIRO Western Precooling Systems Andrew Palomar, CARO APCCO Bill Lape, CARO, CIRO, CRST SCS Engineers Debbie Koske Calibration Technologies, Inc. Edward Johnson, CARO

Giving Thanks What a wonderful month November was. The RETA National Conference at Schaum- burg, IL was simply amazing. That seemed to me to be the consensus of the attend- ees. In the moment, I was not sure if the conference was that good, or if it was just that good to feel a sense of returning to normalcy. You know the old saying: “You never want a drink of water until the well goes dry”. It was certainly refreshing to meet again at National Conference, in person and face-to-face. In all reality, the Conference at Schaum- burg, Illinois was good. It was in a beautiful venue, which was compact enough that you were never more than a 3-minute walk from the next event or activity. It was well-attended for these times, with 788 people in attendance. It was fantastic to catch up with old friends, and to make new acquaintances. The technical presentations and educational opportunities were excellent in quality, and the topics were widely varied. The Exposition Hall was laid out well, with opportunities to visit with folks at the booths, or sit at a table and visit over some very good food. The staff at the Renais- sance were friendly and helpful. All-in-all you really couldn’t have asked for it to be any better, although a few more people in attendance would have been nice. My flight home from Chicago was unevent- ful, and I arrived back in Northwest Arkansas just in time to enjoy the peak of the fall foliage. My wife and I managed to squeeze in a couple of short drives over the following weekend to enjoy the brilliant hues of Autumn in the Ozarks. There were still quite a few green leaves on the trees, but mixed in were brilliant golds, rich oranges, and deep reds. Spring is certainly my favorite season, but Autumn is

Keith Harper, RETA National President

a close second. Creation is preparing for a Winter’s rest, but those dropping ambient temperatures signal busy times ahead for those of us in the Industrial Refrigeration Industry. As the burden eases on cooling equipment, we think about the prepara- tions necessary for our equipment to be ready when called upon next summer. It’s also not a bad time to think about “sharpening the saw”. What about that training course you have been wanting to attend, or that certification you have been contemplating making a run at? Now might just be the perfect time. November wraps up with Thanksgiving, which has always been my favorite holiday. I was appropriately thankful because our holiday celebration this year was so much better than last year. Last year we celebrated with three mini-Thanksgiving get-togethers (one for each daughter’s family). This year we were all together as a family again. I know things are not fully back to normal, but I am so thankful for steps in that direction. RETA National Conference this year felt like a huge step in the right direction—in the direction of the RETA family getting back together again. Now that is truly something for which we can all be thankful. Keith Harper National President

Schwans Global Supply Chain, Inc. Gordon Rascoe, Jr, CIRO, CRST, RAI ConAgra Brands Jeff Lublin Kolbi Pipe Marker Co. JeremyMurfin AC & R Specialists Jim Kovarik Ricky Jimenez, CIRO Mericle Mechanical Inc Victor Dearman, Jr. Peco Foods, Inc COMMITTEE CHAIRS Certification: Lee Pyle, CARO SCS Tracer Environmental Education: Eric Girven, CIRO, CRST, RAI SCS Tracer Environmental Marketing: Dascha Whitmore Stellar Membership: Michael Hawkins, CARO Midatlantic Refrigeration, LLC National Conference: Jim Kovarik Gamma Graphics Services Publications: Ed Johnson, CARO Gamma Graphics Services Raymond Urban, CARO Lineage Logistics

Schwans Global Supply Chain Executive Director: Jim Barron 4 RETA.com