by Suzanne Howard

     Ross Demerly's career as a ventilation systems manager has given him the opportunity to work with a variety of people, cultures, and animals: from the United States and India to Vietnam and Russia; from chinchillas to ostriches, dog kennels to rabbit buildings; insectaries to fisheries, and worm factories to traditional livestock buildings.
     Demerly, an ASAE member, graduated from Michigan State University in 1989 with a double major in ag engineering technology and education. A job opening at Aerotech, a Munters Company, opened the door for his career in agricultural ventilation systems dealing mainly with livestock.
     Demerly is currently in charge of system design and a member of Aerotech's product development team. He says his job has moved more toward technical sales, an area that gives him a chance to use his teaching skills in providing information to others and demonstrating new technology.
     Demerly travels with field representatives, helping them give presentations on ventilation and control systems to both current and prospective customers. He explains how the systems work and describes the basics behind air movement and air flow.
     "I find the technology transfer part of my job quite rewarding," he adds. "I enjoy teaching clients how to set up a ventilation system, how it would apply to them, and what the benefits would be."
     Troubleshooting the systems is another aspect of his job. He says most problems can be solved over the phone.

Ross Demerly (l) and installation crew members helped design a ventilation system for this adobestyle hut in Morocco.

     The combination of sales and troubleshooting allows him the opportunity to travel abroad. Aerotech is currently expanding overseas with two new divisions - Aerotech Asia which is based in Vietnam and Aerotech Europe which is based in the Netherlands.
     Demerly says buildings and climates overseas are very different than in the United States.
     "Our company tries to bring building design up to current standards. A lot of buildings are open-sided or thatch, like an adobe-type building," says Demerly. "Most of the buildings in Asia are naturally ventilated. In some really hot climates the number of animals in a building is reduced by half to compensate for the heat."
     Demerly has had the opportunity to work in many countries including Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Singapore, China, Russia, and Vietnam. He enjoys the cultural aspect of his work. He says he has stayed in everything from five star Shangri-La hotels to sleeping on a cot in a chicken house. He has also learned to speak a little Thai and some Mandarin.
     A great deal of his time has been spent working in Asia, an experience, he says, that has given him the opportunity to see a lot of country and interact with many people from different cultures.
     "The people in Asia are very nice, very laid back. They take things in stride and take great pride in their work," says Demerly. He says the culture has taught him patience when it comes to meeting deadlines.
     Demerly says design concepts, such as the ones he presents from Aerotech, are given a lot of consideration as the United States is highly respected in regard to agriculture and animal production.
     "When we first started breaking into the Asian market, we spent more than two years meeting with people before we started to sell much," says Demerly. "Their number-one concern is if they can trust you as a person and trust the company you represent."
     "Business in Asia is still done based on trust and respect," says Demerly. "A handshake is still very highly thought of. Once you have their trust, they are very loyal to you and your company."
     Demerly feels his technology degree is a good mix between the engineering scope and the applied approach.
     "You get the engineering theories and technical information that you need," says Demerly. "It is taught in a more hands-on approach."
     What advice does Demerly have for new graduates? "Most importantly," he says, "you have to have the ability to sell yourself in your degree when you get the chance."