Michael West, PhD, PE, principal building-systems scientist with Advantek Consulting Inc. in Melbourne, Fla., is the newest member of HPAC Engineering's Editorial Advisory Board.

A specialist in dehumidification and building-moisture control in hot and humid climates, West provides engineering design and oversight on new-construction and retrofit projects throughout the United States and Caribbean. Specifically, he performs detailed energy-efficiency studies, strategic facility-planning evaluations, and building-simulation computer modeling and investigates and engineers solutions to indoor-air-quality (IAQ), high-energy-cost, productivity, and comfort problems. About half of his work is with federal, state, and county governments; the other half involves private-sector facilities.

Prior to joining Advantek, West served on the engineering faculty at the University of Florida. Prior to that, he worked on submarine environmental systems for the U.S. Navy.

Experienced with the best-available technologies, including solar-thermal, photovoltaic, and geothermal equipment, West has been invited to speak at numerous Department of Energy, Association of Energy Engineers, and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers events. Additionally, he has written more than 50 technical papers and articles about aspects of HVAC design, analysis, energy efficiency, and IAQ.

West has an engineering degree from the Glen L. Martin Institute of Technology at the University of Maryland and a doctorate in thermal science from the University of Florida. He believes, “Engineers need a key advantage that the medical and legal professions offer: an environment where continuing education and work quality are not, for the most part, secondary to cost.”

HPAC Engineering's Editorial Advisory Board is comprised of 33 distinguished professionals serving the HVACR industry. Possessing expertise in various engineering and scientific fields, they provide valuable assistance to the magazine's editors.

A complete list of HPAC Engineering's Editorial Advisory Board members can be found here.

Send news items to the attention of Scott Arnold, senior editor, HPAC Engineering, The Penton Media Building, 1300 E. Ninth St., Cleveland, OH 44114-1503; e-mail: sarnold@penton.com; fax: 216-696-3432. Electronic submissions are preferred.