YouTube Science & Engineering Camps for Kids - ESD

Who’s Who in Engineering
in Michigan?
What made you want to become an environmental
engineer? And what are some of your career
highlights? I initially went to school at the University
of Michigan to pursue a degree in natural resource and
environment, but I didn’t want to be a treehugger. I then
found a hybrid between civil and chemical engineering
and quickly switched to that. This has allowed me to do
a lot of math and science instead of memorizing names
of trees. Some of my career highlights include working
on environmental compliance and water study projects,
as well as on a variety of water study projects that could
have reduced a facility’s overall water usage by 5–15%,
but due to low funds available for capital projects,
industrial facilities have not been able to implement the
recommendations.
As an environmental engineer, do you think enough
is being done to advance in the area of going green?
If not, what needs to be done? I think that some
consulting companies are starting to recognize that
green-related projects need to be done. At my company,
we’ve been performing a lot of water studies and going
into companies to determine water usage and how to
reuse water to save on consumption. For instance, we
try to look at hot water usage that requires a lot of
energy and that means a lot of dollars. Many companies
are tapping into this now. Unfortunately, not too many
Michigan companies are going green. For instance,
existing construction is not tapping into this. It’s all a
game of money; if they have the funds then we’ve seen a
willingness to change. If there is no money, then no one is
willing to do anything.
If given the choice, what is the one environmentrelated
project that you would like to work on? I really
like where we’re going with water studies, allowing facilities
to recognize what their water usage is and to understand
the dollar signs so they can not only reduce their
dependence on these resources, but help their bottom
line as well. We’ve been doing a lot of these studies in the
Midwest and a few projects in New York and California.
You have an unusual name. Can you discuss your
background? And also, who is your role model? My
father is Greek. My first name is Greek, but I don’t think
my background has affected me as a person. My role
model growing up was my grandfather, Jaan Mannik
(chairman of Mannik & Smith Group). He was a civil
engineer who designed bridges. He is currently retired.
Any time I spent with him as a child, I always remember
thinking “my grandpa thinks like me.” Over the years, I
learned that meant he was detail oriented and generally
approached problems in a logical way, even right down to
how to “correctly” pick a gooseberry off the bush.
As a young engineer, what is your advice for
engineering graduates struggling to find a job in
Michigan? I work with another person at my company
to help mentor senior design course students at the
University of Michigan. I am surprised students don’t
try to latch on to the consultants in front of them. The
biggest thing to securing a good job is networking. Also,
students always aim at Fortune 500 companies first. They
should keep their options open. Unfortunately, there
aren’t too many jobs for environmental engineers right
now. The biggest thing that students can do is get LEED
certified. I love Michigan and I am totally for Michigan.
I have come across students who are real prepared for
the real world, like Lawrence Technological University
students, while other universities are still focusing on
classroom experiments.
Where do you see yourself five years from now? I
hope to still be with my current company performing
water studies or wastewater evaluations. Our Total Water
Solutions (TWS) division has really grown in the Midwest
over the last few years. I hope we can further grow our
water study projects in the food and beverage industry.
Seeing how food is made is even more fun in person than
watching it on television. And knowing that the next time
I go to buy a pint of ice cream from the grocery store,
that less water was used to produce it or the wastewater
stream generated from its production is lower in strength
because of something we did, just makes me happy.
Why did you get involved with ESD? The main reason
I got involved with ESD was to meet other engineers in the
area. In the Young Engineers Council, I want to meet
people who are trying to connect with each other
and build solid friendships over the years.
Please briefly describe your
personality. In a work setting I am
introverted. Outside of work
I am extroverted; most
people don’t even
know that I am an
engineer.
Turn
the page
to find out
the identity of
this engineer. If you
know an outstanding
engineer for this Technology
Century feature, contact
editor@esd.org.