We recognize and celebrate Nick Pavlak, a Project Manager and Mechanical Engineer of our Building Optimization Practice as a part of DiscoverE’s National Engineers Week! Nick utilizes his 7+ years of experience focused in energy, sustainability, and commissioning services to help reduce the impact on the built environment. With his Masters in Engineering Management, Nick brings a unique skill set to projects where he is responsible for developing assessment plans and strategies, leading onsite evaluations, developing scope for cost estimating, creating specifications, and coordinating energy project implementation through construction and project delivery. He ultimately uncovers potential energy savings for clients with system verification of REAL PERFORMANCE within facilities.
The inspiration does not stop there for Nick, as he also takes his passion for the industry to the next generation of engineers where he educates on the value of engineering and sustainability and the impact it has in the world where we live, work and play.
Nick’s Spotlight Interview:
What inspired you to become an engineer?
“Growing up and being outdoors was a huge part of my life. Whether it being canoeing, camping, hiking or learning to fly fish, I took any opportunity I could to get away and be out in nature. My father introduced me to the LEED Building Certification process and several of his colleges that focused on sustainable design. When the connection was made that an engineer could help create and design solutions that help our environment, I was hooked. Being able to connect the work we do in the Building Optimization practice with my love of the outdoors is extremely rewarding.”
What do you do to inspire and mentor the next generation of engineers?
“For the last several years, I volunteered with the Boy Scouts in my local area to help facilitate their sustainability merit badge. We talked about sustainability and the impact it has on their lives, and the lives of their families everyday. We engaged in conversations from composting to recycling to helping their parents program Alexa to setback their thermostats when they aren’t home. I did sneak in facts on renewable energy and what engineers do to impact the world. Hopefully, I sparked something in one of them that will change our world here in a few years.”
