Rich Happel is Director of Service for EMCOR Mesa Energy Services in Phoenix, Arizona. Rich started his career in the U.S. Navy where he learned all about HVAC services. While in the Navy, Rich’s direct Supervisor, Sr. Chief Nieman, took Rich under his wing and gave him mechanical assignments each night during each of his three six-month Western Pacific (West Pac) deployments. These assignments entailed tracing out mechanical systems throughout the ship after completion of each Watch (aka underway work shift) and returning the completed assignment to the Chief the next day. The Chief would correct each assignment and discuss the answers with Rich. This informal Mentorship program set the stage for Rich’s success in the Navy as a Machinist’s Mate (MM). During his time in the Navy, he attended Long Beach City College, then San Diego City College. He entered the HVAC industry with a position at Trane Company for 11 years, then Carrier Corporation for six years. From there, he advanced his career at University Mechanical Contractors in Seattle for 20 years.