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HYDRONICS | FOLEY | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 46


There’s only one way to do the job: the right way. That was more than 20 years ago, and the lesson stays with me.


One day Mr. Croker sent me to a friend’s house in


North Arlington to give an estimate on a replacement system. The original system was designed by Mr. Croker back in the 1950s and was still operational — an old water-cooled Carrier system with a belt-drive compressor. Since this would be a fairly complicated job, I was both amazed and impressed that Mr. Croker sent me there on my own. Not wanting to disappoint his trust in me, I must have


spent two hours in that basement looking around, measuring, figuring, and thinking. I went back to the


48


I cherish the Saturday mornings we spent together and wish we could have had more. I wish that while he was alive I had articulated more clearly to him how much he meant to me, and I hope that he still knew.


office and spent more time formulating a plan for replacement. I came up with an elegant solution and typed up the contract. The next day I met with the owner to review my proposal. We sat at his kitchen table to go over my proposal, and then I asked for the job. The owner scowled at me and said, “You don’t have a


clue what you’re talking about, this will never work. Get Mr. Croker out here now.”


I skulked back to the office. We set up an appointment


for the next day and returned. I kept my mouth shut and watched as he confidently surveyed the job, explained his solution, closed the deal, and took possession of the deposit check. We got back in the car and on the way back I said, “Mr.


Croker, your solution was identical to mine.” “Danny,” he answered, “it’s not what you said, it’s how


you said it.” Thinking back and comparing my presentation with his,


it hit me. Being a rookie, I was still unsure of myself, and the owner immediately picked up on my lack of confidence. Mr. Croker’s calm, cool demeanor and self- assured presentation was in stark contrast to my unsteady projection. Another lesson learned. My skills developed over time, not overnight, under the


tutelage of this master. I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher. Mr. Croker died in 1996 of a heart attack at the age of


83. He was driving to the office to do what he loved. I had the honor of being a pallbearer at his funeral. Looking back, he was so much more than a business mentor. He was the grandfather I never had (one of my own died before I was born, and the other died when I was very young). I cherish the Saturday mornings we spent together and wish we could have had more. I wish that while he was alive I had articulated more clearly to him how much he meant to me, and I hope that he still knew. Who is your mentor? Who brought you along when


you were a rookie? While none can replace Mr. Croker, I have several other mentors too, that I rely on to this day. We should let them know how much we appreciate them and how important they are. And, of course, pay it forward and be that mentor to others who are learning. l


Dan Foley is Precision www.phpinc.us HydronicsTM LIMITED INSTALL SPACE? NO LONGER AN ISSUE WITH THE PHP ALLCANTM HYDRAULIC SEPARATOR


From basic hydraulic separation to full primary/secondary zoning system, PHP provides cost-effective, space-saving, innovative piping solutions with our new U.S. Patent Pending products.


           is a hydraulic separator with a high quality air separator built in. It 


          


          


          


to aid in easy piping to the secondary-loop heating zones. This product comes 


                 


 


       





Precision Hydronic Products Division of JL industries, inc.


6807 NE 79th Court Ste E - Portland, OR 97218 Phone: (503) 445-4188 - FAX: (503) 445-4187 ©2009


www.phpinc.us e Circle 32 on reader reply form on page 84


                 


     


       Patent Pending Components


vent, secondary loop Grundfos 15-58 end-suction zone pumps (standard) or Taco 00R-MS in-line pumps (optional), primary loop pump/indirect water tank pump as 


     


We do not export labor. Made in the USA.


           


     


                 


 Rev 03/10


L ® G ®


president and owner of Foley Mechanical, Inc. based in Lorton, Virginia. FMI specializes in radiant, hydronics, and steam systems, as well as mechanical systems for large custom homes. He can be reached at 703- 339-8030 or dfoley50@ verizon.net.


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phc october 2011 www.phcnews.com


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