From Luke Miller, March 2019:

I was born and raised in Johnston, Iowa.  I graduated from Johnston High School.  Following graduation, I attended Iowa State University.  Unsure of what career path I wanted to pursue, I enrolled in the College of Business.  Accounting and finance grabbed my interest in High School.

While attending Iowa State University, I became friends with some older students that were active in the MCA (Mechanical Contractors Association) and ASHRAE Student Chapters.  I attended a couple student chapter functions; my decision had been made.  By the end of the fall semester, I had transferred to the College of Engineering to pursue a degree in Construction Engineering.

While in college I worked for Johnson Controls for a year at the USDA Lab in Ames.  Afterwards I interned for Baker Group for three years.  I was able to work on an array of large and small projects: Wells Fargo Downtown (New Highrise), Polk County Jail, Pella Hospital, Mercy West Lakes Hospital, and ChildServe.

After transferring into the Construction Engineering Program, I became active with the ASHRAE and Mechanical Contractors Association Student Chapters.  I served as the Mechanical Contractors Association Student Chapter President from 2006 to 2007.  I received my Bachelors of Science Degree in Construction Engineering with a Mechanical Emphasis.

After graduation I signed on full time with A. J. Allen Mechanical Contractors, Inc as a Project Manager, Estimator and Designer.  I worked on the completion of the Methodist West Hospital.  Since then, I have had the opportunity to manage several large projects for our firm such as: Shive-Hattery’s New Office, Jack Trice Stadium South End Zone Addition, Ankeny Medical Park, Methodist Medical Center New Emergency Department, UnityPoint Health’s New Laboratory.

In 2011 Kelly Crow asked me to join the ASHRAE Iowa’s Board of Governors.  Since that time, I have served on the following committees: BOG, Research Promotion, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, President, CRC Sponsorship Chair and Historian.  During my presidency from 2017-2018 Des Moines served as the host chapter for the Region VI CRC.  We formed a committee three years in advance to initiate the planning and financing of the event.  We had a tremendous outpour of support from area businesses and ASHRAE members.  The spouse of one of our attendees (from a different chapter) told us it was the best CRC they had attended in 30 years!  That type of comment is representative of the work ethic, passion, and relationships of the ASHRAE Iowa Membership.

I am married to a very loving and supportive wife Jessica.  We have one daughter that keeps us active.  You can usually find me with my family either watching sports, boating, working on our house, or firing up the grill.  This year Jessica and I hope to pass along our passion for golf to our daughter…frankly its probably my excuse to get on the golf course more often.