By: Jon Driskill
Many thanks to our own Nancy McBee for working diligently to bring the honorable Knox County Mayor- Mike Ragsdale as our speaker for our February meeting. One could quickly tell that Mayor Ragsdale was not like our usual speakers who are usually quiet and soft spoken and maybe even somewhat shy as he made a point to work the room and greet a number of our members prior to settling down to catch his breathe and grab a quick bite to eat. Many thanks to Mayor Ragsdale for taking the time to come and speak briefly on how Knox County is taking steps to improve the operational and energy efficiency of the county facilities including the Knox County Schools. It's always good to hear of government leaders who are willing to listen to someone other than just the financial bean counters and do something because it's the right thing to do not just because it's good financially. Retrofitting existing buildings, to include HVAC systems, to save energy doesn't always sit well with the bean counters because there is a bit of risk involved to see if the promises made and savings projected can be achieved within the timeframe and budget allowed. When new construction is not an option retrofitting and renovation of existing to improve is certainly the next best option - Good Job Knox County and Mayor Ragsdale. It was also kind of Mayor Ragsdale to acknowledge the efforts of our chapter members and others as designers, contractors, and manufacturer's representatives as we do our part to develop, supply, and implement projects that strive to satisfy needs, keep people comfortable, while reducing the amount of energy we consume.
For our March meeting, we'll get to hear Gerry Iacouzze with McGill Airflow as our speaker. His topic is Duct Design and LEED. There should be more details coming from our Programs Chair, Chuck Biggs.
For our April Meeting we will gather at the Knoxville Expo Center on Thursday 22 April instead of our usual Wednesday 21 April date. We will meet, enjoy a buffet lunch and hear Hank Jackson with Etech Solutions, an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer. The topic will be: Overcoming Objections to Energy Efficiency Investments. We are meeting at the Expo Center so that our members can take the opportunity to visit the annual TAPHCC Convention that will be going on at the Expo Center That day.
Jonathan Driskill
Chapter President
The time and dates for this year’s Chapter Meetings and other activities are as follows:
| September Meeting | September 16, 2009 - Wed | Lunch at Rothchild’s |
|---|---|---|
| October Meeting | October 21, 2009- Wed | Lunch at Rothchild’s |
| Golf Tournament | October 22, 2009 | Avalon |
| November Meeting | November 18, 2009 - Wed | Lunch at Rothchild’s |
| December Meeting | December 17, 2009 | Dara's |
| January Meeting | January 20, 2010 - Wed | Lunch at Rothchild’s |
| February Meeting | February 17, 2010 - Wed | Lunch at Rothchild’s |
| March Meeting | March 17, 2010 - Wed | Lunch at Rothchild’s |
| April Meeting | April 22, 2010 - Thursday | Lunch at Rothchild’s |
| April Satellite Broadcast | April 2010 (Date TBD) | Trane Training Facility |
| May Meeting | May 19, 2010 - Wed | Lunch at Rothchild’s |
Times and dates may change as the year progresses. This schedule will be updated as necessary in the Hillbilly Herald each month. *Rothchilds Catering: 8807 Kingston Pike, KNoxville, TN 37323; (865) 690-0103
