Bob Laird was selected by his peers to be the Classified Employee of the Year for 2008-09. Laird is a Pipe Trades Mechanic III in the Facilities, Maintenance & Operations department. He was worked in the department for the past 30 years, and probably knows our campus buildings more intimately than anyone else.

Laird came to PPCC after receiving his training as a Stationary Engineer in the old Holly Sugar Building in downtown Colorado Springs. His first job here was also as a Stationary Engineer. Laird says, “I have helped PPCC convert from a coal-fired, low pressure steam plant to a gas-fired, high-pressure, high, hot-water system.” He adds, “I also took us from an absorber-type chiller to centrifugals.”

Another big change over the years came with the advent of the computer, in more ways than one. On one hand, the computer made his life easier because now he can control the HVAC system for the campuses by computer instead of having to physically go everywhere and make manual adjustments. On the down side, he notes, “Computers create heat, and that affects room temperature. Our building wasn’t designed for hundreds of computers, so it has added extra challenges to cooling the buildings.”

Confused? That’s why Laird does what he does and we do what we do. He is highly-trained in HVAC systems and knows his trade. His nominator says, “His knowledge is vast in keeping the college at its peak working ability; he understands the function of each HVAC control, and how to make sound judgments on proper adjustments to climate controls.”

Additionally, the nominator comments on Laird’s ability to insure a safe work zone for all under his supervision, his flexibility to implement positive change, and his ability to save the college money. Laird has been finding ways to make a now-outdated HVAC continue to heat and cool the ever-changing buildings of PPCC.

Laird says, “Every day is an adventure, and something new and different comes up all the time. I never get bored!” He excels at customer service, and demonstrates a positive attitude with the various employees of the college. He even shows tact and diplomacy when dealing with people in the same office calling him to complain that their office is too hot or too cold and begging him to fix it.
Laird has been married to his spouse, Ursula, for 38 years. One of their two sons passed away in 1999, and the other son in working on a doctorate in biology. He has a wetlands management company in Alamosa, CO.

In his spare time, Laird loves to fish, and has made several trips to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, for deep sea fishing. His bragging rights? He caught a 200 pound striped marlin and brought it home in ice chests. He even shared some of the meat at work. He likes camping and race cars, and says he used to build show cars. A native of Colorado Springs, Laird is a Harrison School District graduate.