Meet Dan Gunn, a Level IV Senior Controls Engineer based out of the Golden, CO, office. Originally from Texas, Dan joined LSI 12 years ago and became a major contributor to our engineering team. He quickly builds rapport with clients and is dedicated to the success of the team – always willing to teach others and go the extra mile. Dan’s also a world traveler who never wastes an opportunity to explore when he’s on the road. Three words that we use to describe him are committed, passionate, and meticulous. Read our latest Employee Spotlight – 20 Questions below.
How long have you been with LSI?
February 2023 was my 12th anniversary.
What is your role at LSI?
I’m a Level IV Senior Controls Engineer.
Where did you go to college?
I graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
What industries have you been involved in?
I’ve been involved in a little of everything but primarily Food & Beverage, Brewing, and Oil & Gas.
What is your area of expertise?
I’m involved in the whole process, from designing the control panels, developing the programs, implementing the design out in the field, and providing startup support.
What platforms are you familiar with?
Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Bristol Babcock Control Wave, some GE, and a little Modicon.
What has been your favorite project at LSI?
It isn’t easy to name one project because there are so many. However, my favorites are projects I can be involved in from start to finish – a sense of accomplishment comes from seeing a project through each step of the way.
What is your proudest moment at LSI?
Anytime I can look back after a project, whether it’s a $20 million brewery expansion project, an addition of a few I/O points, or a service call, and see the success of what we accomplished as a team.
What sets LSI apart as an employer?
We don’t settle for the status quo. Instead, we are always seeking to improve ourselves and our client relationships.
What sets LSI apart as a system integrator?
Our attention to detail. Whether it’s our review processes or training, we always do thorough testing and verification before the client sees what we’ve done.
What are three ways or words that you would use to describe LSI?
- Challenging – opportunities to learn and grow
- Changing – a wide variety of projects and clients to work with
- Consistent – the workload is constant, and you’re not left wondering what you will be working on next
What is one thing clients may not know about LSI that you want to share?
Behind the scenes, a lot of energy, effort, and time goes into ensuring that whatever we put in front of the client is the best it can be.
Long-term client relationships are a hallmark of LSI. Why is that?
We’re constantly adapting to the needs of our clients. We’re also continually challenging ourselves to get better and diversify our capabilities.
How has LSI helped you in your career development?
Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley) products and some CAD were the only things I knew when I started. Over the last 10+ years, I’ve learned much more about grounding, power distribution, control panels, control systems, process, and industry-specific requirements that I wouldn’t have learned if I had been focused on one industry or in a single position.
What advice do you have for prospective LSI candidates?
Be willing to adapt and learn as needs change for our clients. We have multiple clients, and each client has different needs and requirements. Being able to adjust to meet those needs will help your time go smoother. It is unlikely that what you start working on day one will be what you are working on 10 or 15 years later.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I like to travel and explore – so far, I’ve gone to 28 different countries and would love to see more. When I travel for work and have some downtime, I try to explore something in the area. Regardless if it’s a local brewery, a botanic garden, a baseball game, a historic site, or any number of things, each area has its own culture and sites to enjoy.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
I have been to places with beautiful beaches, places with items dating back to 3300 BC, walked where the Pharaohs walked, and saw cheetahs in the wild. It is hard to pick just one.
What is your favorite sports team?
The San Antonio Spurs – I’ve supported them through horrible records like 1996-97 with a 20-62 record and championship years like 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2013!
Apple iOS or Android?
Android.
Any random facts about yourself that you could share with us?
When I travel, I’m always looking for a different brewery and botanical garden to visit. I’ve visited botanic gardens in South Africa, Boston, Alabama, Dallas, Denver, and more. I’ve also been to over 100 different breweries so far.