People You Should Know: David Mars
JOB DESCRIPTION: Advise Columbia residents on ways to conserve energy in their homes, businesses and civic buildings. Inform them of the various programs CWL has for its customers.
AGE: 62
YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 14 in Columbia, 30 in Ashland.
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Brentwood, St. Louis County.
EDUCATION: Brentwood High School; Art and design degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Member and president of the Missouri Solar Energy Association (MSEA); Ashland Park Board Member; Wrote a grant and received funds from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to add a solar pool heater and solar water heater to the Ashland Community Pool. I have also written and acted as emcee for a show that is broadcast on the Columbia Channel. (Mediacom 80, Charter Communications 2, Century Tel 601, 24 hours a day) It’s called “Conservation Tips” and has been on TV for the past seven years. This five-minute show has helped teach people in their homes ways to lower their bills. I am widely recognized by people of all ages all over town who tell me they have benefited by following the tips displayed on the show.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Manager of the Art Mart Store, energy efficient home builder. I have constructed sunroom additions, installed solar hot water systems, and installed solar air heaters in rural homes with low-income occupants.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: I have met so many people who deserve this attention that, since I am in the home energy conservation business, I will say I admire the architects and builders who design and build with energy conservation detailing.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: Ninety-five percent of the money spent by Missourians leaves the state economy. Conservation efforts have proven to return 25 percent to 50 percent to the residents. Columbia Water and Light has some great programs to enable the home and business owner the financing to achieve these reductions. There are federal tax credits to help lower the sticker shock. Conservation investments will lead a fruitful and positive cash flow back into the consumer’s pocket and into the local economy. Energy prices will rise, and conservation detailing is one of the best ways to stay level with the increases.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD… be trekking about the South American ruins, like Machu-Pichu, and trying to figure out how those ancient cultures pulled those massive boulders up the steep mountain and then fit them together so perfectly. Most older cultures oriented their structure openings on the south side to take advantage of solar heating.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: Viewing each home, business or apartment as a unique situation. Many structures are similarly built, and you’d expect to find similar problems. But you have to stay fresh with each visit because a family’s utility usage is affected by their level of technical expertise, their ethnic background, age, whether they own or rent, and the subtle differences in construction. From 100-year-old, three-story buildings to low-income rental housing, the surprises keep coming. What you may perceive as normal or anticipated usage may be the biggest burden they have experienced.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: Trying to put the final touches on an amateur video production on DVD that discusses various local solar water heaters, a general description of the different types of equipment, and video shots of solar water heaters from distant locales.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: There is quite a collection of wonderful and interesting people in Columbia who have graciously invited me into their homes to help make them more efficient. It’s a win/win situation considering that when we conserve energy, we lower pollution and save money. So who’s to lose! So what better job could you have than one in which you help put money in your clients’ pockets?
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: Vegetable gardening, riding the Katy trail, making and using small solar devices.
FAMILY: My wife, Maxine, is a fourth-grade teacher at the Southern Boone Elementary School. Our daughter, Rebekka, a graduate of Lindenwood University, currently works in auto underwriting at State Farm Insurance and teaches yoga classes at Key Largo Fitness.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: The trails, Flat Branch rehab, shopping areas, restaurants, the farmers markets, Rock Bridge State Park, hardware stores…too many to mention them all.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: Adding a sunroom to the south side of our home. This addition provides us with about 25 percent of our winter heating needs and provides shade on our south wall in the summer. This sunny room is also great for the winter blues and gives a boost to getting the garden starts going.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I… am a “rock hound” of the gem and mineral variety. I have collected mineral specimens since I was a kid.