Alumni Career Features
Carl Gravely '08 & Gerald Hoy '02

Carl Gravely '08

• B.S., Building Automation Technology, 2008
• Southern Air
• carl.gravely@gmail.com

Why Penn College? Please explain how you decided to major in Building Automation Technology.

I went into the Electromechanical Maintenance Technology program as I knew I loved electricity. I grew up admiring the many things it can do, especially combining this energy with mechanical. I love fixing things, so the opportunity to combine mechanical and electrical, and control it with a computer was the perfect opportunity for me to stay for the Bachelor program.

Please explain your current responsibilities with Southern Air.

As Building Automation Project Engineer, saying "everything" is not enough. From bidding projects, to ordering materials, developing designs, programming logic, securing materials, managing the field labor, project management, As-Built drawings, commissioning, customer training, and service calls are all in my responsibilities.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job?

Seeing it all come together. Witnessing a $100,000 project paying for itself in one year with energy savings. Also, controlling equipment with my iphone anywhere in the world with internet access, and playing with the latest technology. There is a saying that if you can dream it, BAS can program and control it. I like that.

Do you see your field changing in the next three to five years?

Today, it's exciting to see the new controllers and software released; I'm like a kid in a candy store at Christmas time. They say computers are outdated before you even buy them, and that is true with the BAS field as well. I see more and more businesses looking to save energy and upgrade current HVACR equipment to be compatible. In three to five years as the economy struggles to get to where it once was, businesses and buildings are trying to cut costs in any budget area they can. If there is a payback in one or two years, five years down the road they usually want to expand the system, providing more work.

Have you continued your education since graduating from Penn College?

Training is going to become more necessary, as the BAS technology expands with tomorrow's reality. Education is something that can never be taken away, the more the merrier. My training is ongoing. I had training in June, and another week of training in late July. Instead of using contractor Pro-points, from our part supplier, to take trips and vacations, I use them for more training to stay on top of current opportunities and certifications.

What was the greatest strength of your Penn College education?

Interestingly enough, it was not what I learned at Penn College, it was how I learned it. The greatest strength was building networking skills and leadership skills. Knowing how to communicate with others and passing the word along so, as a team, even between companies, the skills can be greatly rewarding.

Describe your transition from college to the workplace.

What a change. I love mornings and I took all 8 a.m. classes. I was better prepared in the a.m., as much as I could be anyway. But going from leaving 15 minutes before class to walk five blocks was so easy. In the workplace, it can be up to three hours before work starts because of travel or allowing time for office work before field work. I knew how it was going to be but I took college for granted a little too much.

What should students do to prepare themselves for your industry?

Building automation combines electrical, mechanical, and HVAC. If you enjoy working with all of these fields, then BAS might be a path for your future. Knowledge in any or all of the above will prepare you for a building automation career, and finding a company that works with BAS will improve your knowledge even as a field helper.

What are three must-have skills employers are looking for?

The willingness to work. Attitude is everything. You have to want to do the job right the first time.

Be a team Leader. You may work by yourself but there will be others following you. Your work, your attitude, and your skills will all be picked up by followers.

Communicate clearly to coordinate with other trades in the field and to communicate with fellow employees. All makes the day go by easier for everyone. In college, Professor Younes once told me, "If you're asked constant questions, you're lacking good communication". You must be clear with your expectations.

Do you participate in any extra curricular activities or volunteer in your community?

I love the outdoors. Camping, hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing, rafting. Any chance I get, I'm outside. I'm also involved in church, Habitat for Humanity, S.H.A.R.E., United Way, and other smaller community service projects.

Gerald Hoy '02

• A.A.S., Forest Technology, 2002
• PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Bureau of Forestry, District 20
• gehoy@state.pa.us

Why Penn College? Please explain how you decided to major in Forestry.

I decided to go to Penn College because of the cutting edge equipment that of the forestry program utilized. Also the location, the small class size, and the affiliation with Penn State influenced my decision. I had the opportunity to enroll in the Environmental Science Vo-Tech program at my High School in Centre County. The teacher, Dr. George Vahoviak, did an excellent job of introducing his students to all environmental fields especially forestry since he started his education in forestry.

Please explain your current responsibilities with the DCNR - Bureau of Forestry.

As the Service Forester in the Loyalsock State Forest, I serve the citizens of Sullivan and Bradford Counties. I assist private landowners within my counties with management advice on timber management, watershed protection, tree planting, wildlife management, recreation, insect and disease, Forest Stewardship Program, Tree Farm Program, and more. I represent the Bureau of Forestry at meetings and with public contacts. I assist local municipalities and Shade Tree Commissions in urban forest management. I disseminate DCNR information through newspaper, news letters, articles, emails, television and radio programs and am responsible For Wildfire Suppression and Prescribed Fire duties. I also work with educational programs for schools, non profits, and forest landowners.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job?

Having a positive impact on the community and the natural resources in Pennsylvania through educating the public and large scale planning. I enjoy the diversity of my position including traditional timber management, wildfire suppression, wildlife management, presenting educational programs, county planning, and forestry outreach.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Dealing with the issues that come with the ecosystem disturbances from the Marcellus shale gas exploration has to be the most challenging. Our budget cuts the past couple of years have been also very challenging.

Do you see your field changing in the next three to five years?

Yes very much. The Marcellus Shale exploration is changing the way we do our jobs. The timber industry isn't booming to say the least so in turn a lot of my focus has changed toward wildlife management through timber harvesting. The private landowners seem to own their land for different reasons now. For examples, they own it for recreation and wildlife management.

What was the greatest strength of your Penn College education?

The hands on approach that Penn College has is great way to educate. I also believe it's great that in your first semester as a forestry student you have forestry classes. This gives you a chance right in the beginning to see if this major is for you. Too often students are into their second or third year of college when they realize they picked the wrong major to study.

If you could "redo" your college experience, would you change anything?

I would have liked to focus more time on my education and continued on for my bachelor's degree. I feel courses in the following would have better prepared me for my position as a Service Forester: GIS/GPS, Computer, Writing or Journalism, Public Speaking, Arboriculture, and Psychology Courses.

What advice do you have for students interested in your career field?

To become very familiar with the local DCNR offices and consult the industry. Don't ever turn down an opportunity for experience even if there are certain sacrifices that come with it, even if it means going unpaid. There are a lot of individuals out there with forestry degrees but usually the difference in between getting that job you want and not is experience.

The more education the better. The forestry job market drastically changed in recent years. DCNR - Bureau of Forestry is under a hiring freeze that means we haven't been hiring new Forest Technicians or Forester's unless they already work for the commonwealth. The timber industry is also slow. So when everything picks back up and hiring begins there will be a large pole of candidates for the positions. With that being said the more attractive a job seeker can make themselves the better.

Do you stay in contact with other Penn College Alumni?

Yes, I work with quite a few Forestry alumni and many of my friends I grew up with are graduates of other programs.

Do you have any special interests of hobbies?

Hunting, fishing, canoeing, camping, and remodeling my new house.