Age: 39
Company: FSM Engineering
Title: Owner and director of engineering
How long have you been in the PHCP-PVF industry?
RG: I have been in the engineering industry dealing with PHCP-PVF projects since 2005 where I started as an intern at a consulting firm.
What drew you into the industry?
RG: My love for engineering as it pertains to heat transfer and fluid flow. I love seeing how systems interact together to provide a combined functional system.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in the industry?
RG: Getting so into the weeds with the design, the calculations, the decisions, then coordinating the construction and seeing the final product functioning as intended.
What is one thing you wish more people knew/understood about the PHCP-PVF industry?
RG: The level of knowledge pertaining to system functionality, equipment options, fluid flow characteristics, and energy transfer that one must have to provide the detail that is required in a system design.
What has been the proudest moment in your career so far?
RG: Running my own business for the last 10 years.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
RG: I love Star Wars. My dogs’ names are Luke and Obi.
Why he was chosen as a Next Gen All Star Top 20 Under 40 winner:
“Robert Gelhardt II, PE is a 39 year old business owner, employing six full-time employees. He has owned and operated his own engineering firm since he was 34 years old.
“In his time as a professional engineer, he has taken a very specific interest in the design of plumbing systems. With the help of his mentor, an engineer with 40 years of experience in hospitality plumbing design, he has become a very proficient plumbing engineer.
“He has been responsible for the design of many sanitary, pressure, storm and gas systems for major brand hotels. The systems utilize plumbing technology such as studor venting systems, syphonic roof drains, modular water heaters, multi-zone pumping/pressure systems and high temp recirculating systems with scald prevention.
“Through this consulting, the client has developed brand standards to ensure the buildings are constructed with energy efficient and environmentally conscious systems, free of Legionella.
“I think Robert deserves this because, on top of his ownership, family and engineering responsibilities he has taken it upon himself to train to become a plumbing engineer expert in order to service the hospitality field, executing his contracts with the mission of the plumbing engineering field in mind,” says Karl Ward of FSM Engineering.
