Darbi Krumpos is a principal with SOCOTEC US, overseeing the Seattle and Honolulu offices for the firm as well as the western region of the US for building enclosure services.
How and when did you get involved with IIBEC?
I got involved in 1995 when I started working for Trinity Engineering, which evolved into Trinity ERD, which was acquired by SOCOTEC. I became a member because I was working with Colin Murphy, F-IIBEC, RRC, and he encouraged my participation with the local chapter and the greater organization to develop my skills and knowledge within roofing and waterproofing.
I remember my first major involvement with RCI (now IIBEC) was a program called Project Mercury. Its goal was to create a resource library for all our members. I spent hours scanning historic waterproofing articles and documents to assist in building the online resource.
The first national event I attended was the SoCal Chapter Winter Workshop in Hawaii in 2008. I was also going there because we were going to be opening an office in Hawaii. I recall an inordinate amount of content assembled that was very educational. I also remember someone being critical of the clothing I was wearing, which was something nice that I would wear to church. Around that time, the consultants were more formally dressed. I also remember there were not a lot of women there. What a difference a decade or two makes on both accounts.
In 2009 I started attending the convention and trade show. I remember the wealth of educational opportunities in the class offerings and the feeling that this was something special that I couldn’t get elsewhere. I was excited about learning and the educational opportunities available through RCI, not just from the classes but also from the connections and colleagues that offer so much in the way of mentorship and shared lessons.
What do you do on a typical day on the job?
I play Whac-A-Mole. Whatever comes up, I take care of it!
My day starts with calls from all over the country. I am up and answering the phones at 6 to 7 a.m. Seattle time. Typically, it’s clients or team members on the East Coast dealing with issues.
Yesterday I was in a Zoom mediation meeting. After that, a colleague called about a peer review, and then I had an intake call for a new project with a new client. Then I had to complete an Insurance report on a project claim and meet with a field staff person who needed help on writing field reports. I spent some time coaching him on how to do this part of his job better. Finally, I had a meeting with a new employee in Hawaii on business development and marketing. That was just the first half of my day!
Everyday is a myriad of multitasking support for our offices and the business and the clients we serve.
I find myself burning the candle at both ends, as they say. East Coast people start around 6 a.m. my time, and the folks in Hawaii are wrapping up their workday around 7 or 8 p.m. It stretches the days out! What is wonderful is I have learned so much about regional and cultural differences working in these various climates, zones, and locations, from material selection to climate zone impacts, construction practices, and codes. It has helped me become a more knowledgeable and well-rounded professional.
Which building enclosure project, or projects, has (have) been the most memorable—for good reasons or bad?
One of my favorites would have to be the team I worked with on the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center at Mount Rushmore. We were a well-coordinated and collaborative team. The project was successful. The team was filled with smart technical people, and it involved civil engineering, structural engineering, and architectural design. And we had fun getting the job done.
The visitor center, a donated building that had leaked since the time of construction, had water intrusion problems, and we did an investigation into why that was happening. We then identified issues and determined it was not just a singular isolated event or issue. The building was embedded in the side of a mountain and mostly below grade. It included multiple different roof planes, plaza deck areas, vertical walls below grade, and a tunnel. Through the restoration, this great team of collaborators and communicators had success in troubleshooting with a successful project, a happy client, and a restored iconic structure.
Have you had any mentors in the industry? What have they taught you?
First and foremost, Colin Murphy has given me opportunities and knowledge that I am grateful for and fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn. He comes from such a diverse background in worldly experience, material sciences, and research that he shared with me.
Remarkably, he remains a constant student, always looking for new information and continuous learning. He is amazing at recalling protocols and standards for the work we do. Colin showed me the importance of staying at the forefront of innovation. I remember when infrared first came out, we were using that technology right away. New tools, new technologies, innovative approaches to better ourselves and support our work. He taught me what is necessary to be thorough, methodical and scientific in my approach to problem solving.
Other folks that I consider mentors include Ray Wetherholt, F-IIBEC, RBEC, RRC, RWC, REWC, PE; Randy Hart; Joe Hale, F-IIBEC, H-RRC; Dick Canon, F-IIBEC, PE; Warren French, F-IIBEC, RBEC, PE; and Remo Capolino, RRC, PE. Remo is both a colleague and a mentor. There are a great number of people all over the country that I would feel confident calling for industry guidance and technical support, including a vast many of Trinity | ERD alumni! I learn from every project, including many partners in different industries. They teach me both the right way to do something as well as the things we shouldn’t do sometimes, which can be an even more important lesson.
What advice would you give today to someone starting out in the industry?
Put your head down and never stop learning. Continue to seek information. Continue to build your knowledge and expertise. But most important, be willing to share your knowledge and collaborate. Be part of a team. Sharing what we know doesn’t diminish what you know but enriches it.
Be willing to teach each other as much as you are willing to learn.
What benefits of IIBEC membership have been most valuable to you?
Definitely the education, access to information, and networking within the industry with peers that can help solve the problems we are challenged with to support our clients.
I get excited about connecting with people at the IIBEC convention, BES, and chapter events and by the opportunities to grow my network of collaborators and supporters for the work we do.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I love to travel. I have taken a couple of international motorcycle rides—one through the Andes Mountains in Ecuador and then another trip to the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert in Morocco right after they had the earthquake there. I also love spending time with my family, especially my kids.
What three traits define you?
Adventure, consistency, positivity, and leadership. (I have a degree in math and can’t count! That’s four!)
Top three professional life highlights?
When the Emerging Professionals was a new committee at IIBEC, and I said to Joe Hale, “Why am I not invited?” and he said, “Darbi, you’ve done emerged!”
Teaching local roofers in Santiago, Chile, how to install various aspects of the roofing we specified. Hand breaking metal flashings, torch applying SBS, applying liquid flashings, and installing pitch pockets! It was an amazing experience!
I love when I have those epiphanies, when I can say, “I know the answer to this!” They come and go at different stages.
Where would you most like to live, and why?
I love adventure and being in new places. So, wherever I am at the moment is where I want to be! However, it should be close to a beach, with margaritas close by!
What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?
When I was younger, I started out thinking I was going to be a teacher. If I weren’t doing this, maybe I would be teaching math or science in some junior high school somewhere.
What would your last meal request be?
Something with vegetables. Perhaps authentic Moroccan tajine with vegetables. Mediterranean food and spices are so good!
NFL or MLB?
NFL. I am a season ticket holder for the Seahawks. I like sports a lot. I like to stay up to date with football. I am very much a hometown fan. I also love the Seattle Mariners (baseball) and the Seattle Kraken (hockey). I have lived in Seattle my entire life. I am a hometown girl.
Favorite show (streaming, cable, or network TV)?
I don’t watch much TV. When I do, it needs to be suspenseful, full of action, or based on a true story. Otherwise I start to fall asleep. I did enjoy watching episodes of The Good Doctor when it was on.
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