In this month’s issue, we spoke with Kyle DelPiano of Bell & Gossett, a Xylem brand. He is the market development manager — Southeast territory. In his role, he works with senior management of water technologies and other divisions to develop strategic direction for the brand’s Southeast HVAC market. I spoke with him to gain further insight into his work and his thoughts on the HVAC industry. 

Danielle Galian (DG): What is your background? 

Kyle DelPiano (KDP): I grew up in Salisbury, North Carolina. I received an engineering degree from Auburn University, specializing in polymer and fiber engineering. 

Upon graduation, I was hired to work at Trane as a sales engineer. During college I pictured myself working in the engineering discipline, but not specifically in the HVAC industry. However, the nature of the sales engineer position at Trane really appealed to me because it played to my strengths. Not only was I able to apply my engineering skills and knowledge, I was also able to showcase my personality and passion for cultivating relationships. 

DG: What were you doing prior to working at Bell & Gossett? 

KDP: Before joining the Bell & Gossett team, I served as a sales engineer at Trane. Right before graduation, I received an offer to participate in the company’s Graduate Training Program (GTP). During the six-month-long program, I learned the ins and outs of HVAC products and their system applications. After the program, I moved to Florida for an outside sales engineer role with the company. I figured why not go to where it’s warm to sell HVAC solutions! I served in this role for six-and-a-half years, and it was an incredibly positive experience. During my time with the company, I developed a strong relationship with my mentor — who to this day helps me enhance my skills. 

DG: How long have you been with Xylem’s Bell & Gossett? 

KDP: June marks three years working for Xylem’s Bell & Gossett as a market development manager. 

DG:  Talk about some of the challenges you face in your areas of interest regarding energy savings, water, etc. 

KDP: As with any other career, I face challenges. I love what I do, and face them head on. To properly address water challenges, I am constantly learning and seeking out training and teaching opportunities. I am an active member of ASHRAE and regularly attend the organization’s educational meetings that cover a breadth of topics that include but are not limited to modern pump selection, evolving technology and hydronic systems. 

To help my peers address their industry challenges, I present about products and applications I’ve learned about that are specific to their customer needs and geographic location. As a young engineer, I am regularly tapped to work with fellow emerging professionals, in the southeast territory, to enhance their knowledge of efficient system applications. 

DG: How does the Southeast HVAC market compare to the rest of the country in terms of needs, efficiencies, standards, etc.? 

KDP:  The Southeast HVAC market has a large number of chilled water and condenser water systems installed. Although I am based in Raleigh, North Carolina, I was part of the nationwide Bell & Gossett team that introduced a new pump selection criteria called Part Load Efficiency Value (PLEV). PLEV is a calculation that represents the efficiency of a pump at part load conditions and can be used to gauge true pump performance within a hydronic system.

DG: What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? 

KDP: I have two daughters ages 3 and 5, so most of my free time is spent playing sports and camping in the backyard with them. When I’m not spending time with my wife and children, I enjoy home-brewing beer. Since I began home brewing nearly 12 years ago, I’ve enjoyed creating different versions of Stouts, German ALTs, IPAs and Pale Ales. 

DG: Have you always had a passion for brewing beer? 

KDP: While in college, I was a brewer for a restaurant called the Olde Auburn Ale House. This position really piqued my interest in brewing beer. After graduating from college, I created a home brewing system so I could continue to craft my own! 

DG: Do you have a favorite quote or motto? 

KDP: I always refer to The Auburn University Creed and one line in particular that stands out, “I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.” 

DG: Do you have a favorite product or area of innovation that you’re passionate about? 

KDP: I am really passionate about learning new HVAC designs and teaching engineers how to properly apply them. Because no two designs are exactly alike, it’s important for mentors and teachers to have the knowledge and flexibility to properly apply these design practices for different applications. 

DG: What advice would you give to young people just starting their career in this industry? 

KDP: Early in my career I learned the value of seeking and working with multiple mentors. It’s important to not only enlist a variety of points of view, but also to surround yourself with different experts in the field. When choosing your mentors, I recommend working with professionals that not only listen so they can provide the best feedback, but also make you feel comfortable sharing struggles, successes and concerns.

To learn more about DelPiano, visit bellgossett.com.