Let's learn a little about the history of Giovanni Barletta, Technical Manager of the Andean, Caribbean and Central America Area of Emerson, and current president of ACAIRE.
by Duván Chaverra Agudelo
Wherever he goes, they greet him, they always ask about him and nobody wants to miss his lectures. They know of his extensive knowledge and admire him for it. He is Giovanni Barletta, a Barranquillero who has dedicated 37 years of his life to the industry, overcoming both professional and personal obstacles that today put him as an exemplary human being for any of us.
His passion for what he does is so much that life continues to put new work challenges on him, because there is full security that nothing has been left great for this great professional. In 2014 he led the founding of the Northern Chapter of the Colombian Association of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACAIRE) also participating in the Board of Directors and now, as President of ACAIRE, he will lead a guild in Colombia recognized for its discipline but that still has work to do.
How today's professional was formed
Giovanni Barletta was born in Barranquilla on August 31, 1961. He studied at the Liceo de Cervantes and later graduated as a Mechanical Engineer from the Universidad del Norte. After almost 15 years of having finished the undergraduate, he studied a Specialization in Commercial Management and 10 years later he completed the MBA.
About his first work experience, Giovanni said that "my first job was in a Refrigeration company called RITA (German Technical Industrial Refrigeration) in 1983 still with subjects of last semester in progress; but from that moment I took many responsibilities and that's how I fell into the "passion" of the HVAC/R industry that as I say 'does not let go of one' (37 years between one function and another functions and jobs around this business)".
Then came the opportunities in the commercial area: "From there I went to Olympic Superstores as head of maintenance (for two years) with responsibilities in refrigeration; that after coming from the Air Conditioning (AA) I perceived how different the food cold is and what a great responsibility! Another world and other anxieties when it comes to food. I was only 1 year in this position, learning a lot and managing all the businesses of the coast in this supermarket chain until an offer came from the Bank of the Republic, initially as Deputy Director of the Regional Department of Construction and Buildings; after two years I was promoted to Regional Director (in the Bank I lasted almost 8 years) managing projects not only of AA but of electric plants, elevators, remodeling, auditing in new buildings in all the cities of the coast and cultural centers that the bank managed. "
Likewise, after that experience, fate made Giovanni look at other job options: "When the new constitution ends with these functions, they offer us voluntary retirements or stay to do banking life, and of course at that time I was more tempted by the guild and that is when I move to Serviparamo, as technical manager, for ten years. From there, and already with almost 20 years of experience in the market, I was tempted by the multinational Emerson to occupy the position of Technical Manager of the Andean, Caribbean and Central America Area, a position I hold today. "
Throughout this work journey, the Professional of the Month highlights a professional, whom he considers as his guide: "Since I finished subjects at the U and with my link to RITA (German Technical Industrial Refrigeration) I was in the hands of Eng. Issa María, who was the one who injected me with the passion for this business and taught me much of what in the beginning were valuable and important councils not only in knowledge but taking a lot of experience thanks to the trust he gave me. I would almost say that he adopted me as a son and gave me autonomy in making decisions and facing important challenges that were simply an exciting experience."
Your professional and personal challenges
Giovanni has always been concerned about teaching, about leaving an indelible mark of knowledge in the new generations, and that, today, remains one of his main professional challenges. Now, as President of ACAIRE, the goals are increasing at the same time as the passion for this industry.
"I want to leave a mark on the guild, promote an important project that serves in the training of engineers and technicians and good exercise of the business. Having assumed the presidency of ACAIRE gives me the tool and puts me in front of the challenge of giving my grain of sand in everything that the Association does for the business".
Personally, he is now recognized for being a fighter and having been able to overcome two life challenges: "After having come out of two catastrophic diseases such as cancer, being able to show that obstacles can be overcome and that rising with the grace of God you can continue to do a lot. That is what I want to show, that the Lord is infinitely generous and merciful."
Evolution of our industry
On this aspect, Giovanni highlights a series of events that ratify the imminent development of this industry in recent years, mainly in three aspects:
1. The challenge of mitigating our business on the impact of the environment, and this goes through the ozone layer and now climate change. All this has led us to reinvent ourselves in business, good practices, tools, reading a lot, being well documented and well prepared.
2. Manufacturers are increasingly developing new technologies that require them to be up to date in training. Example: Variable refrigerant systems.
3. The incorporation of electronics in each of the systems that were previously electromechanical, connectivity, communications and smart devices, force us to rethink the way things were done before.
"Unfortunately, the lack of legislation makes the business very informal for the most part, especially residential and light commercial. The state has not understood the intimate relationship between HVAC/R and energy sources, climate change, people's quality of life," said our guest.
The other side of the professional
Giovanni is "married to a wonderful woman" and has two children: Paolo, 27, and Silvana – the apple of his eye – who is 24 years old. With his family he tries to enjoy different moments: "We really like the beach, and I practice cycling with my daughter. Other hobbies have to do with crafts, electricity, painting, carpentry, mechanics, and fixing everything that results at home. My other passion is teaching: many years ago I have been linked to the undergraduate program of Mechanical Engineering at the Universidad del Nort, and today I am with the Universidad del Atlántico with two groups that are always full and sell out quickly".
His father also left an indelible mark on Giovanni: "From my childhood I have events that definitely marked my life, such as being hand in hand with my father working on vacation in his shoe company. That was the training for working life that triggered my performance and qualities in my subsequent jobs; I injected the passion to work and give one the greatest and best effort in what you do, regardless of what you earn. This is a teaching from my father who from a very young age showed us responsibility in jobs and being able to assume responsibilities."
