Our People – Stanley Danielak | Our Fearless Plumbing Champ
Meet our bright-eyed, witty, fearless plumbing champ – Stanley Danielak. As our Chief Plumbing Engineer, Stanley has been instrumental in helping shape the lives, minds, and careers of many junior engineers here at iFactor.
Samantha Kelley, one of Stanley’s protégées, sums it up best as to what it is like to be mentored by him:
“…Lucking into the chance to be mentored by Stanley was among the most fortuitous opportunities I’ve experienced in my career. From becoming inspired to learn a whole new trade, to just learning when to say, “Who cares?”, Stanley’s wisdom and humor has brought me so much happiness over the past few years. I know all our coworkers agree, whether working or just chatting with Stanley, you’ll learn something new and have a good time. Thanks for everything you do!”
While we know Stanley is a one in a million teammate, there are many things we have yet to discover about him. Keep reading to find out what makes Stanley the Fearless Plumbing Champ that he is.
Q: How did you decide that a career in the AEC industry was for you?
A: My steppingstone to what would become my career was my first professional job with a MEP company in New York City. I realized how interesting it is that AEC professionals use their expertise to work together to bring a project to completion.
Q: How would you describe your role?
A: Overseeing the completion of plumbing design, as well as mentorship of junior engineers.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: Challenge and a variety of projects!
Q: What have been the challenges/rewards of your career?
A: Challenges – working on many different types of the projects with different clients and applying many different local codes and regulations. Rewards – recognition and advancement in my career and making clients happy by delivering good design.
Q: What has been your most meaningful project?
A: On West Coast – City of Hope, Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, California. On East Coast – Trade World Center 7.
Q: What has contributed to your success?
A: Education in plumbing engineering from my old country (Poland), positive mental attitude, working with good and knowledgeable plumbing engineers.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: Here are the most important: Do not be afraid of the challenges, learn from your mistakes! Know and fulfill own potentials.
Q: If you could professionally be anything else outside of the AEC industry, what would you be?
A: Veterinarian.
Q: What is your favorite go-to meal?
A: Salmon salad.
Q: What is something you do not like that people would be surprised to find out?
A: When I was a little kid, I was a terrible meat eater, and to this day I still prefer vegetarian food and fish over the meat.
Q: What is your favorite project you’ve worked on, and why?
A: Atlantis Paradise Island – challenging design of the underwater tunnels and plumbing systems for bungalows floating on the water.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to a young professional entering the engineering field, what would it be?
A: Don’t be afraid of challenges and take any opportunity to learn!
Q: What is the greatest work of engineering genius?
A: First plumbing systems built in ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, and Northeast India…
Q: What might we find you doing on a typical Sunday afternoon?
A: Walking my dog, watching European or South American soccer games.
Q: If you had one superpower, what would it be?
A: Power of healing.
Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: Loud chewing or drinking.
Q: As a kid, I thought we would have:
A: Cures for all cancers by now.
Q: How would you describe your job to a 3rd grader?
A: Designing systems to deliver clean water and getting rid of wastewater.
Q: How many stamps do you have in your passport, and what stamps do you hope to add in the next five years?
A: I have 3 stamps. I’ll be retiring soon, so more stamps to come for sure! 🙂
Q: Most people don’t know this, but I’m awesome at:
A: Cooking.
Q: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
A: In my high school and college years, I played handball in a professional club.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about living in California?
A: Weather, definitely weather.
Q: What would your autobiography be titled?
A: It’s a Weird and Wonderful World.
Q: Do you think you have mastered the plumbing trade 100%?
A: No, there is always room for improvement and an open opportunity to learn something new, and to implement better solutions, methods, technologies, and better design overall!
Q: What was your first job after graduating college?
A: Design engineer working for a company specializing in designing irrigation systems for agriculture and designing sewer plants and water plants.