ROBERT DAK: MY JOURNEY Retired
In 1974, I got into Local 250’s five-year apprenticeship program. I worked at Elsters for 1.5 years and the next 15 years at Aire Rite in start-up and controls.
In 1983, I was sent to check out a fire at a Seafood Boiler restaurant. I found that the wrong heaters had been installed on the makeup air (MUA) units. The big MUA unit starter had the small MUA unit heaters installed, and the small MUA unit had the large heaters installed, causing the large MUA unit to trip. This put the kitchen into a negative pressure condition— so negative that air was sucked into the kitchen though the hot water heater flue. This caused flames to roll out, which caused the fire. Afterwards, Del Allen, the owner of the Seafood Broiler restaurant chain required a certified air balance on his restaurants. I studied and learned the necessary material and procedures and got certified with NEBB in 1983. In the late 1980s and early 1990s I started my own business as a certified signatory air balance company. In 1997, I joined Local 102 and was hired to teach. While teaching part-time, I also started getting certified in all the disciplines offered and attending all the TABB conferences. Since I knew that the best qualified union could claim jurisdiction, I got all the certifications offered. Once certified, I was also willing to teach all the disciplines. I started teaching part-time at Local 102 in Garden Grove. Then, I was asked to teach at Local 105 in City of Industry. Once at Local 105, Jim Page, Darrel Garrison, and NEMI asked me to teach at the TABB conferences and in Las Vegas. I kept all of my certifications current, I proctored, I taught part-time,
and I remained working in the field. At the TABB conferences, I met many good friends. Whenever I had a question, I would call the wizards: Tim Perry and Pat Pico. They were always available, even to this day. As a balancer, I worked with Steve Penn at an air balancing company and with Curtis Moran at ACCO for 17 years. I ran jobs, commissioned buildings, verified Fire Life Safety, pioneered Title 24, and always did whatever it took to get the job done correctly. In October 2019, I retired. In 2020 I was awarded the TABB Hall of Fame Award. Again. I have a great deal of thanks for everyone who supported me and all the people I worked with over the years. ▪
Partners in Progress » September 2020 » 7
