President's Corner

Efforts of the Society, its members, and its bodies shall be directed at all times to enhancing the public health, safety and welfare.” – ASHRAE Code of Ethics 1.140.001.1.A https://www.ashrae.org/about/governance/code-of-ethics

Dear Members and Friends,

It’s unbelievable that it’s already March and we’re in the home stretch of our Society Year.

Our next chapter meeting will be in person at the IBEW/NECA Electrical Training Center on March 8^th from 11:30-1pm. Looking forward to seeing all of you there! Eventbrite link is below and on our website. Meeting info is at the end of this newsletter.

We are locked in at Hamilton Elks Golf Club for the Annual ASHRAE Golf outing. The outing is on May 19^th. Sponsorships and signups will run through our Eventbrite account, which will be sent out next week. As part of our fundraising for research, we will be selling off ASHRAE Nike Polos. Polos need to be ordered by April 1^st to be delivered at the golf outing. Polo orders will also be on the Eventbrite link.

It's also that time of year for nominations for regional positions. We have always been blessed to have a local chapter member on the Region V board of governors. If you’re interested in being nominated, please reach out to us.

Please enjoy this month’s member spotlight: Steve Tossey.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ashrae-chapter-march-luncheon-tickets-289955513747

-Nick Brown

February Member Spotlight: Steve Tossey

How long have you been an active ASHRAE member and what positions have you held?

I've been a member since 1983, and have served as secretary, president-elect and president.

Tell me how you first got involved with ASHRAE and the local chapter?

I was first invited by my college HVAC professor at Ohio State, Prof. Charles Sepsy. Prof. Sepsy served as ASHRAE Society President 1980-1981.

What has your involvement been like?

My involvement has been very good, although sometimes interrupted for various reasons. I have always felt that I learned something useful at each event I attended, and the people in the industry I have maintained the longest contact with have been folks in ASHRAE.

How has being involved with ASHRAE affected your career or personal life?

ASHRAE has been very helpful in keeping me aware of the new technologies coming along. Most importantly, it has given me great opportunities to know and learn from some very experienced and helpful engineers.

Are there any mentors, mentees, or friends that you met through ASHRAE you would like to recognize?

Well, that list would be a long one. And it increases continually. I would like to recognize them all.

What’s your favorite memory throughout your membership?

When I first heard the story of how ASHRAE's minimum outdoor air standards were developed, by experiences of reducing the OA flow through a room of people until 80% of the folks in the room downwind of them found the odor objectionable. Now that is real science. I knew ASHRAE wasn't just about theoretical speculation, but real practical informaiton.

What do you wish other people knew about the local chapter?

That it exists and welcomes all, and is a great place to get some visionary inspiration in the midst of the nose-to-the-grindstone meet the deadline reality of professional life. We are all about improving the quality of life.

Presentation: Passive House and Ventilation Strategies for Healthy and Energy Efficient Buildings

Presenter: Erdem Kokgil, Application Engineering Team Leader for Oxygen8 & James Dean, CEO for and Founder of Oxygen8

Presenter Bios:

James Dean Bio -

James is a clean-tech entrepreneur with a passion for innovation, healthy buildings, and sustainability. He has founded three clean-energy technology companies; Oxygen8 (high-efficiency ventilation solutions), CORE Energy Recovery Solutions (membrane-based ERVs), and Greenlight Power Technologies (Hydrogen Fuel Cells). Prior to founding Greenlight, James was a Partner with KMPG Consulting.

Equally committed to sustainability in his personal life, James recently built West Vancouver’s first net-zero energy home that is certified to the Passive House International standard. James was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 and was a finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year. He has say on the boards of the Home Ventilating Institute, Fuel Cells Canada, Science World, North Shore Credit Union and is a member of the Daikin North America Advisory Board.

Erdem Kokgil Bio -

Erdem has over 10 years of experience in the application design and product management of HVAC systems including DOAS, H/ERV, chilled beams, VAV systems, air distribution devices and radiant panels. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Koc University in Istanbul, Turkey and a Master’s Applied Science Degree in Building Engineering from Concordia University, with a focus on HVAC systems. Erdem is a LEED Accredited Professional and Certified Passive House Consultant with the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS).

Topic Description:

The Passive House movement has been gaining momentum in North America with a drive toward healthy, comfortable and energy efficient buildings. This presentation will discuss the 5 Passive House principles, PHI and PHIUS labeling programs and centralized vs. decentralized ventilation strategies for multi-family residential and