From Adam Puls, December 2024:

I grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and attended Iowa State University (ISU) majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I chose engineering have opportunities to problem solve and as a practical application for the subjects I found most interesting in school. I discovered the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry and first learned of ASHRAE as a freshman at ISU through an internship at Wolin Mechanical Contractors. This internship, and another with Wolin the following summer, helped to solidify my desire to work in the HVAC industry. As a senior in Dr. Maxwell’s HVAC classes, I joined the ASHRAE and became vice president of the ISU ASHRAE Student Chapter. I was fortunate to receive the ASHRAE Iowa Chapter’s scholarship and to find a work as a consulting engineer after graduation at Shive-Hattery in West Des Moines. After years in the industry and earning my professional licensure, I remain deeply interested in designing HVAC systems to serve local and nationwide clients.

I began volunteering for the ASHRAE Iowa Chapter as a member of the Board of Governors in 2014 thanks to the encouragement of past presidents Jason Kems and Chris Nelson. I was the committee chair for the Iowa Chapter’s Young Engineer’s in ASHRAE committee and co-chair for the Chapter Technology Transfer Committee prior to joining the Chapter officer track. I was Chapter President for the 2020-2021 Society year. Given the world was grappling with a pandemic, my year as president was unique. Our board strived to provide the same fulfilling activities and relevant learning opportunities while socially distancing and meeting virtually. I’m proud of the fact that many of my actions as president (such as committee budgeting requirements and virtual meeting options) have lasted past the immediate concerns of the pandemic and continue to move our Chapter forward.

Outside of work and ASHRAE activities, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our two sons, playing soccer and ice hockey, or doing projects around the house.