Barbara H. McCrary, PE – Barbara earned both a Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama in 2003 and 2005 respectively. Prior to joining HHB Engineers, McCrary worked at a mechanical consulting firm in Atlanta, GA. She became President and majority owner of HHB Engineers in June of 2014.
Barbara has experience on a variety of projects including major renovations, athletic facilities, historic buildings, college and university projects, detention facilities, office buildings, military projects, including complex renovations at the Prime AE project manager. Her Prime AE project management includes work at universities and for governmental clients (state and federal). Both as Prime AE and Consultant, Barbara’s projects often involve complex phasing where the building may remain occupied and/or systems can only be down during limited periods. McCrary has extensive experience with whole building energy modeling for as part of integrated design practices, and for submission on LEED projects.
McCrary understands and embraces the challenge of finding the right balance between first costs, the needs of the end user, energy costs, and long term maintenance considerations when selecting systems types for buildings. Barbara has experience with a wide range of HVAC and mechanical systems including:
- Chilled water plants and distribution systems
- Hot water plants and distribution systems
- Variable primary and primary/secondary hydronic systems
- VAV systems
- Dedicated outside air systems
- Specialized indoor environments such as Operating Rooms and Laboratories
- Commercial kitchens
- Heat recovery systems
- Water source heat pump systems
- Ground source and lake source heat pump (geothermal) systems – lake system featured in ASHRAE Journal (April 2018)
- Plumbing systems
- Rainwater harvesting systems
McCrary’s honors and recognitions including 2022 Engineered Systems Magazine 20 Women to Watch in HVAC, 2021 Engineer of the Year Award from the Engineering Council of Birmingham (ECOB), Birmingham ASHRAE Chapter 2021 Engineer of the Year, inductee as University of Alabama Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Fellow in 2016, and Birmingham ASHRAE Chapter’s 2013 Young Engineer of the Year (ages 35 and under).
Barbara won the 2006 ASHRAE Willis H. Carrier National Award for a best paper presented at an ASHRAE meeting in 2006 by a member age 32 years and younger, and also received the 2006 ASHRAE Presentation Award for the best poster presentation from the 2006 Winter and Annual Meetings. Barbara presented another paper at a previous ASHRAE Winter meeting (published in ASHRAE Transactions) and co-authored an article published in ASHRAE Journal, originating from her graduate studies at the University of Alabama. Her graduate degree studies were in the area of geothermal heating and cooling systems with an emphasis on lake source heat pump systems, working with Dr. Steve Kavanaugh. In April of 2018, McCrary co-authored a case study article in ASHRAE Journal featuring a lake-source geothermal system located at Southern Union Community College in Wadley, AL.
Barbara is licensed mechanical engineer in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.
Barbara is a member of the following professional societies:
- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
- American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)
- National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Association of Energy Engineers
- Pi Tau Sigma (Mechanical Engineering Honor Society)
- Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society)
McCrary has served on the University of Alabama Department of Mechanical Engineering Industrial Advisory Board since 2016, and is a past-Chair of the Board. She is active on the UofA campus speaking to students and groups, as well as other outreach and networking events, and enjoys involvement in organizations supporting women business owners. She and her husband Zac live in Northport, AL with their Italian Greyhound.