These amazing people have some pretty interesting jobs, so we’re bringing you a fun peek into their work-world along with some of their personal facets. This series will be ongoing, so if you have anyone you’d like to nominate as a potential Spotlight feature, put it in the comments, or send us an email, [email protected]. Enjoy!
Spotlight on Patrick (Pat) Donahue
Pat served as a building products research program manager at the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) for 33 years. He just retired in June. Our team had the pleasure of working with Pat on his very last project with the NRRI—a 2022 USDA Wood Innovation grant related to the economic feasibility of a new wood technology called scrimber. We hope to make Pat proud as we wrap up the project this fall in partnership with his former colleague, Matt Aro.
What does a typical day look like in your job?
My entire focus was working with a broad array of stakeholders including academic, state government, federal labs, and the global wood-based building products sector. My days were a mix of office work, prototype work in the NRRI applications laboratory, scouring at technical trade events and literature searching, and getting out to private sector partners manufacturing facilities (go-to-the-Gemba).
What do you like best about your job?
I was constantly in the discovery mode. In 2021, I was awarded a National Science Foundation I-CORPS grant focused to advanced structural composites and mass timber, leading to a new work with a novel structural lumber composite. In 2022, I was awarded a USDA Wood Innovation grant in collaboration with a Swiss timber engineering firm to complete the technical and economic assessment of this novel structural lumber composite. Working with great people on great projects that set the course for the next generation of sustainable building material was extremely satisfying.
What about your job did you find most challenging?
I had only held a 75% position since the pandemic, having been in the retirement funnel. Finding the time to move the 2022 USDA Wood Innovation grant as far down the path as possible to completion before my retirement was challenging. To deal with the challenge, I had pulled external stakeholders into the project, including a project advisory board consisting of sector experts from the top wood sector consulting firms in the world.
If you could snap your fingers and solve any problem facing our community, what would it be?
Affordable Housing. I know the landscape. I understand the global product and process technology options. I know how to pilot and scale the solution. I know how to add automation where appropriate.
What is the most recent thing you’ve read (besides email)?
Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman by Yvon Chouinard
What is something (knowledge or a skill) you would like to learn?
Wood boat building
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received that has helped you in your career?
“Stop spending so much time looking in the rearview mirror; keep your eyes forward.” ~ Vince Magnuson – former UMD vice chancellor and inorganic chemistry professor emeritus.