Virtual Speaker Program

Featuring an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer!

Thursday, October 2, 2025 (Virtually hosted by the ASHRAE Baltimore Chapter)

This is a virtual program offered via Webex Offered free of charge to ASHRAE Pittsburgh Chapter Members

Topic:

Airflow Management Best Practices for Data Centers (AIA and GBCI approved)

Airflow management within data centers is crucial for proper cooling and energy efficiency of data centers. Proper selection as well as proper placement of various data center equipment such as CRACs, perforated tiles, and racks play an important role in airflow distribution and cooling performance of data centers. This presentation will focus on basics of data center cooling and principles of air movement in data centers with a wide variety of examples involving raised floor and flat floor data rooms, air leakages through server cabinets and containment systems, and role of rack thermal mass during power shutdown. This presentation will also discuss plume dispersion in the equipment yard around the data centers and optimum placement of air cooled chillers.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Kishor Khankari, Ph.D. is President at AnSight LLC in Ann Arbor, MI. He provides engineering solutions and insights through Physics based simulations and CFD analysis. Kishor has several years of experience in providing optimized HVAC solutions to a wide variety of applications involving external wind engineering, plume dispersion, smoke exhaust, displacement ventilation, natural ventilation, radiant heating and cooling, and indoor air quality and thermal comfort optimization for office spaces, patient rooms, operating rooms, cleanrooms, justice facilities, data centers, and warehouses. Dr. Khankari has developed a patented technology of a wind band design of exhaust fan assembly systems. He has developed several easy-to-use analytical software tools which are regularly used by design engineers in a variety companies including those in HVAC industry, critical facilities, and automotive industries. 

A noted expert in his field, he has a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and has been regularly published in several technical journals and trade magazines. Dr. Khankari has delivered more than 150 DL presentations worldwide on topics related to design and optimization of HVAC systems and made several presentation at various technical conferences and professional meetings.

Dr. Kishor Khankari is a Fellow member of ASHRAE. He served on ASHRAE Board as a Director-at Large. He is a recipient of Louise & Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award, ASHRAE Exceptional and Distinguished Service Awards. He is the past President of Detroit ASHRAE Chapter, past Chair of ASHRAE Technical Committee TC9.11 Clean Spaces, and past Chair of Research Administration Committee (RAC). He is a voting member of Technical Committee TC9.10 Laboratory Systems and TC5.3 Air Distribution. He is a voting member of Standards committees SPC241: Control of Infectious Aerosols and SPC129: Air Change Effectiveness. He is also leading a Multi Task Group (MTG) on Air Change Rates.

Meeting Access:

Hosted by webexregion3@ashrae.org

https://ashrae.webex.com/ashrae/j.php?MTID=me11e9fdc874c795a210c1356cd9cbe9c

Thursday, October 2, 2025 12:00 PM | 1 hour 15 minutes | (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Meeting number: 2345 298 2318

Password: SNxg3GQDD33

Join by video system

Dial 23452982318@ashrae.webex.com

You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.

Join by phone

+1-650-479-3208 United States Toll

Access code: 234 529 82318

September Chapter Meeting

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

11:30 aM - 1:00 PM

LOCATION:

Cefalo’s

428 Washington Ave

Carnegie, PA 15106

This month’s presentation:

Fundamentals of Gas Detection

What You Will Learn:

• Why gas detection is considered Life and Health safety equipment

• Gas detection technologies for combustibles, toxins and refrigerants

• Manufacturer/product neutral content covering the what, why and how of gas detection

• Underlying basics to help you build a strong foundation for your building specifications

• Best practices for parking garages, chiller rooms, MRI rooms, arenas, cold storage areas and others...

• Introduction to exposure limits and safety standards (NIOSH, OSHA, ASHRAE, etc.)

• Sensing radius, mounting heights, coverage and sensor location

• Recommended schedules for maintenance and calibration

The Fundamentals of Gas Detection webinar is approved by the Practicing Institute of Engineering (PIE) as compliant with New York State’s Mandatory Continuing Education requirements for Professional Engineers for 1.0 PDH which may be applicable in your area.

Presented by Luke Meppelder, Regional Sales Manager, Critical Environment Technologies

Registration Link:

Meeting Signup

Government Outreach Day: “A Day On the Hill”

Tuesday, MAY 6th, 2025

9:30 am - 3:00 PM

LOCATION:

Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex
501 N 3rd St,
Harrisburg, PA 17120

about this event:

Together with the Central PA ASHRAE Chapter, the Pittsburgh Government Affairs Committee and several others will visit the State Capitol on Tuesday, May 6th. We’ll assemble at 9:30 am in the Capitol Cafeteria and have our first meeting at 10 am. You are invited to participate in-person or virtually.

Stay tuned for schedule - meetings are currently being set up with the House and Senate.

Contact Star Lang (StarLang@PittsburghAirSystems.com) to answer any questions and to schedule a visit to your representative’s office.

What is government outreach, or “a day on the hill”?:

Government Outreach Events are the pre-eminent opportunity for ASHRAE volunteers to introduce national and sub-national government officials to the association, as well as the issues that are critical to advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration. ASHRAE members began conducting these events as all-day multi-meeting events at U.S. State Capitols, and they were called “Days on the Hill.” During the 2018 Annual Meeting in Houston, the committee changed “Day on the Hill” events to “Government Outreach Days.” The rationale for this change was to broaden these days so that they could be conducted on a global basis. In international settings, “Day on the Hill” did not translate well and the terminology was confusing. In addition, at the 2018 Annual meeting, the committee determined that these events should also be conducted at the local level and with Federal Elected officials.

April 2025 Chapter Meeting

Tuesday, April 15th, 2025

11:30 aM - 1:00 PM

LOCATION:

Cefalo’s

428 Washington Ave

Carnegie, PA 15106

This month’s presentation:

Hydronic Balancing - Presented by Kirk Phipps - Director of Sales for Hays Fluid Controls

Presentation description:  A session on why hydronic balancing is important, with an overview of balancing methods and how they relate to both the TAB process as well as operating efficiencies.  Being mindful of how balancing directly impacts start up, long term pump/unitary performance, and occupant comfort is crucial to total system success.

KIRK PHIPPS, Director of Sales, HAYS Fluid Controls

Meet the Speaker:  Starting with Hays Fluid Controls in 2009, Kirk Phipps has now spent over 15 years dedicating his time to ensuring projects of all types have proper distribution of flow.  Having been in a variety of roles, he is currently the Director of Sales managing a team of regional managers and providing consultation within the market segments of Commercial HVAC, Plumbing, Industrial Process, and onboard systems for both the US Navy and private marine vessels.

Registration Link:

Meeting Signup

Virtual Program: ASHRAE Tech Hour

This virtual program will be playing the recording of a tech hour (recorded on March 12, 2024) and is eligible for 1 PDH.

Date: February 28, 2025

Topic: Tech Hour #8: The Fraternal Twins of Decarbonization and Climate Resilience

Webinar Sign Up

 Details:

Tech Hour: The Fraternal Twins of Decarbonization and Climate Resilience

Born from the same awareness of climate change, building decarbonization and climate-related resilience are often framed within organizations and our own thought processes as two independent exercises – one as risk management, the other as environmental social responsibility. This session explores both the potential synergies and the maladaptive risks associated with balancing the equally important (but occasionally competing) needs of carbon mitigation and climate adaptation during a building design or retrofit process.

Erin McConahey, PE, FASHRAE, has 27 years experience as an HVAC design engineer and sustainability consultant.

She is currently leading the Net Zero Carbon Buildings team at Arup, fulfilling their global commitment to collect Whole Life Carbon Assessment data each year. She is a Professional Engineer in California and Colorado, a - LEED accredited professional BD+C, and ASHRAE accredited High Performance Building Design Professional, an ASHRAE Fellow, and an Arup Fellow (one of 50 recognized for technical excellence within the 17,000+ person firm).

Erin’s specialties include: mechanical engineering sustainability consulting with current focus on building decarbonization expertise in low-energy comfort-cooling designs: natural ventilation, radiant cooling expertise in museum design expertise in multidisciplinary design and delivery processes including collaborative group process and use of BIM (Building Information Modeling) Diversity and Inclusion within engineering

Erin’s recent work includes: Guggenheim Abu Dhabi with Frank O. Gehry and Associates Broad Museum with Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Gensler S. Embassy Beirut, Lebanon with Morphosis Kolon Future Research Center, Seoul South Korea with Morphosis University of Southern California Stevens Hall with SmithGroup JJR California Science Center Samuel Oschin Pavilion and future Space Center with ZGF Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with DLR Google Spruce Goose with ZGF Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine with Yazdani Studio at Cannon Design Google Charleston East with BIG, Heatherwick, AAI, and HLW

Erin has formerly served as: Trustee Board member of Arup's Trustee Companies: Ove Arup Partnership Trustee Ltd., Ove Arup -Partnership Trust Corporation Ltd. and Arup Australia Holding Ltd. (2012-2017) Arup Americas Region Diversity and Inclusion Advocate (2012-2017) Member of Arup Americas People Executive: advising on Human Resources policy (2008-2012) Leader of Arup Americas Graduate Induction program (2008 - 2018) Faculty of Arup Americas Design School program (2001-2018) Project Director for the Arup Global Revit Standards project to create a common firmwide data taxonomy and template that can be used as the core content in 5 regions and 30 countries. (2018-2019) S. Department of State, Bureau of Overseas Operations Industry Advisory Group (2016-2018) S. General Services Administration National Registry of Peer Reviewers (2008-2010) Certified Diversity Professional (2013-2019) Faculty member: Shaping Sustainable Futures (Arup masters level course) with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (2020-2023)

Virtual Speaker Program

February 5, 2025 (Hosted by the ASHRAE National Capital Chapter)

Topic: Real World Life Cycle Cost Analysis-A Case Study

Details & Meeting Link to Follow

Virtual Speaker Program

December 11, 2024 (Hosted by the ASHRAE Central PA Chapter)

Topic: Recruiting and Retention of the next Generation-Gen Z

Region III Program #2 - Recruiting and Retention of the next Generation-Gen Z

Hosted by webexregion3@ashrae.org

https://ashrae.webex.com/ashrae/j.php?MTID=m45942c760f01848564878efc9fc644c4

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 1:00 PM | 1 hour | (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Meeting number: 2345 772 0893

Password: MMjdPepe758

Join by video system

Dial 23457720893@ashrae.webex.com

You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.

Join by phone

+1-650-479-3208 United States Toll

Access code: 234 577 20893

Presentation Synopsis: 

All employers are in the position that they need to replace long-term employees who change jobs or retire. One of the obvious choices to fill these voids in personnel is to promote existing employees and hire individuals that just completed their degrees to the newly vacated positions. The success of these hires does not typically depend on their technical capacity or capability but instead is related to issues of expectation, communication, motivation, and fit. Success of recruiting and retaining generation Z hires is important for the success of companies. This presentation identifies the unique attributes of this newer generations entering the workforce and provides recommendations to increase the odds of retaining these employees.

Julia Keen is a Professor of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science at Kansas State University holding the Bob and Betty Tointon Engineering endowed chair. She also owns her own consulting company, Keen Designs, PA. Her specific areas of interest include HVAC design, energy codes, high performance design, HVAC education, and the advancement of women in the building design and construction industry.

Julia Keen received her Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Engineering from Kansas State University. Upon graduation, she worked as a Mechanical/Electrical Project Engineer in Waterloo, Iowa. In this capacity she was responsible for the design of building systems from initial planning stages through final project inspection and completion. In July 2003, Julia accepted a faculty position with K-State in the Architectural Engineering and Construction Science Department. She completed her Master’s degree in Architectural Engineering (2005) and her Doctorate (2010) in Education both from K-State. She is a Licensed Mechanical Professional Engineer in Kansas and Iowa and holds the ASHRAE Certification - High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP).

In addition to her 9-month faculty appointment at K-State, Julia has the opportunity to stay current with the HVAC industry in a consulting capacity. Her consulting endeavors include performing as HVAC professional education consultant, engineering design, plan check and quality review, and acting as an owner’s representative in facility planning and project implementation.

Julia became involved in ASHRAE as a student member of the Kansas State University student branch. She has acted as the faculty advisor to this branch since 2003 during which time the chapter has routinely attended the ASHRAE winter meetings and the competition team that she has coached has finished first in the ASHRAE Design Competition six times. Through the years, Julia has held several chapter positions including President of the Cedar Valley Chapter. She has also been involved in many Society level committees including: Finance, Publishing and Education Council, Planning, Publications, Conferences and Expositions, and Certification as well as chaired TC6.1-Hydronic and Steam Equipment and Systems. Julia served in the elected positions on the ASHRAE Society Board of Directors as Vice President (2017 – 2019) and Director-at-Large (2013 – 2016). As a DAL and VP she served as Ex Officio/Coordinating Officer to the Refrigeration, Society Rules, and Standards Committees and was a voting member of Tech Council. Her service to the organization was recognized in 2010 when she was given the Distinguished Service Award. Julia continues to promote her passion of HVAC education through the HVAC Essentials Course she co-developed and delivers for ASHRAE around the world. She was promoted to the grade of ASHRAE Fellow in 2016 and was presented with the 2018 ASHRAE E. K. Campbell Teaching Award.

This meeting will be Virtual from 12pm to 1pm

October 2024 Chapter Meeting

Tuesday, OCTOBER 15th, 2024

11:30 aM - 1:00 PM

LOCATION:

Cefalo’s

428 Washington Ave

Carnegie, PA 15106

This month’s presentation will focus on:

Code Updates for 2025 and the Impact on Controls Systems

Presenter Bio:

Jason Konley

Jason Konley, the Control Division Manager at Pittsburgh Air Systems

has more than thirty years of experience designing, selling, and providing solutions for HVAC Controls. He also teaches controls and VFD classes at the I.U.O.E Local 95 and the Pittsburgh Air Systems Training Center.

His background and expertise ranges from pneumatic and electronic controls to Direct Digital Control systems, Variable Frequency Drives, Gas Detection Systems, and Laboratory & Healthcare Airflow and Pressurization systems.  

Registration Link:

Meeting Signup

January 2024 Chapter Meeting

TUESDAY, january 9th, 2024 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

LOCATION:

Cefalo’s

428 Washington Ave

Carnegie, PA 15106

This month’s presentation will focus on:

Main Entrance Air Curtains: Improving Energy Efficiency, Health, & Comfort

Presenter Bio:

Stephen J. Benes

Stephen J. Benes has worked as a regional sales manager for Berner International for 25 years. He oversees various distribution channels and manages OEM accounts strategically across North America. Stephen is also responsible for sales and training, conducts webinars, and has been featured in business magazines for his expertise in energy savings and code compliance. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Economics from Waynesburg University in PA.

Registration Link:

Meeting Signup

November 2023 Chapter Meeting

ASHRAE DISTINGUISHED LECTURER SERIES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH, 2023 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

LOCATION:

Cefalo’s

428 Washington Ave

Carnegie, PA 15106

his month’s presentation is part of the ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer Series and will focus on:

ASHRAE Standard 62.1 and LEED: Using Enhanced Air Cleaning to Integrate IAQ and Energy Conservation

Presenter Bio:

Chris Muller - ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer

Chris is an expert on environmental air quality and the application/use of gas-phase air filtration media, filters, equipment, and air monitoring instrumentation. 200+ peer-reviewed papers & articles, 100+ seminars. Co-author of the NAFA Air Filtration Handbook, Semiconductor Manufacturing Handbook 2nd Ed., ASHRAE Handbook on Particulate and Gaseous Contamination in Datacom Environments and Carrier Corporation Applications Technical Development Program.

Registration Link:

Meeting Signup

October 2023 Chapter Meeting

TUESDAY, october 10TH, 2023 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

LOCATION:

Pittsburgh Marriott North
100 Cranberry Woods Drive

Cranberry Township, PA 16066

Presentation Topic:

Air Distribution Design

Presenter Bio:

Ed Merewether, Segment Product Manager – Grilles, Registers, & Diffusers, Greenheck

Ed is a seasoned HVAC professional with more than 23 years of industry experience. He has extensive experience in plant operations, customer service, sales and product management.  For the last 11 years Ed has been with Metal Industries (now a Greenheck Group owned company) and currently holds the role of GRD segment product manager for Greenheck Air Distribution.

Registration Link:

Meeting Signup

September 2023 Chapter Meeting

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2023 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

LOCATION:

Cefalo's
428 Washington Avenue
Carnegie, PA 15106

Presentation Topic:

Introduction to Hybrid Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems

Presenter Bio:

 Andy Tesoriero, Regional Manager, Mitsubishi Electric 

Andy has been a Regional Manager for Mitsubishi Electric Trane for 10 years and serves the Pittsburgh, PA market as well as Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington DC. Andy has been working in the Mechanical Engineering field for over 25 years. Before working for Mitsubishi, Andy spent 15 years working for a mechanical equipment representative in the Central Pennsylvania market, as a sales engineer specializing in cooling towers, heat exchangers and the accessories associated this equipment. Andy graduated from The Catholic University of America in 1985 with a degree in Civil Engineering.

Registration Link:

Meeting Signup

Date: May 23, 2023

 Time:  Arrive by 3:45 p.m. for a start at 4:00 p.m.

 Where:  AHN Wexford Hospital - 12351 Perry Highway Wexford, PA 15090

 Tour Host:         Todd Sherwin, LLI Engineering

 Site Information:  AHN Wexford COGEN facility is an on-site plant that provides the hospital’s electricity, heating, and cooling by producing up to two megawatts of electricity and thermal energy on-site.  Producing power on-site eliminates the transmission losses.  It is a project unique not only to AHN, but also to hospitals in the area in general.  The overall cost was in excess of $10,000,000, but $1,800,000 came from a PA Department of Community and Economic Development and Department of Environmental Protection as part of the Alternative and Clean Energy (ACE) program. 

Followed by Apps & Social Hour at:

Tapville Social

11978 Perry Hwy

Unit 401

Wexford, PA 15090

(alcohol not included by ASHRAE)

 Tour will consist of the following:

Todd Sherwin will discuss the overall plant concept and how Peoples Gas became the owner of it using a Design / Build / Own / Manage/ (D-BOM) model.

• Todd will discuss the prime generator electrical connection to utility, and virtual aggregation of the adjacent buildings on campus, as well as the planned interconnection directly to the hospital

 Don Staff will discuss various mechanical systems:

• Chilled Water

• Hot Water

• Steam

• Don will also discuss the heat recovery options and what was installed for the Prime Generator

 Mark Reeves from McKamish will discuss the maintenance and operation of the plant and the prime generator.

• Notes: 

• Due to the noise at the facility, we may break down groups to sizes of 5-10 people so because hearing someone in a large group with the noise in the facility would be challenging. 

  For more information, check out this youtube video: :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd0J671nuto