2025 Ones To Watch - Industry Leaders: Daniel Galarza, Goldman Copeland

Turning problems into opportunities: 

Infrastructure limitations in an office tower required an innovative HVAC approach for a 20,000 s/f commercial interior space. Our team’s response solved the issue and created new opportunities. Instead of relying on a single 50-ton, air-cooled, packaged unit, we implemented five 10-ton condensing units with variable refrigerant flow and installed smaller evaporators achieving the architectural intent. The variable system used less energy. Adding a smart building management system further optimized energy use. The resulting strategy reduced costs and led to more projects for our firm.

Sharing knowledge and expertise: I use five methods: 

(1) Mentoring and coaching: I offer guidance to junior engineers and team members on technical challenges, project management and career development; (2) Internal knowledge sharing: I facilitate lunch-and-learns to discuss new developments and best practices; (3) Industry involvement: I participate in industry events and webinars to exchange ideas with peers; (4) Thought-leadership: I write articles and share insights on topics relevant to our industry; (5) Collaboration with clients and partners: I collaborate in sharing the latest developments affecting design approaches.

Best advice for new leaders: Focus on building strong teams, embrace innovation, and always prioritize client relationships.