Please let me brag on my little brother...

I have always loved my "little brother", Michael, now known as 'Mike', and even though he is 7 years younger than me, we have always been good friends.

This past week while we were visiting him and the rest of my family in the Metroplex, I came to respect my little brother in a new way. Mike has always been very smart, and graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Chemical Engineering about 5 years ago. He went to work for Valspar, a name you may recognize if you buy any of your paint, varnishes or other chemicals sold in a can at Lowe's. The plant where he works in Garland makes incredibly huge vats of paint, and the clear "coatings" that go on the inside of all soft drink cans and other tin cans. They also make solvents, resins, and a bunch of other things I can't pronounce, even with a degree in Science!

I knew Mike had an important job, but I wasn't prepared to see the complexity of what he actually does. Mike is largely responsible for this enormous plant, and the operations of making these products in a very dangerous and complex industry. When we went into his office, this is what was on the dry-erase board. To me, it looked like the stuff the guy wrote on the walls in the movie "A Beautiful Mind"! I had no idea what any of it meant, but it looked crazy!!!

Then he took us out to the plant and here are some pictures: (I did not take these photos, as you are not allowed to use a camera in the plant unless it has been okayed, since it could make a spark or something and blow the place up!)

This is one of the "control rooms" where Mike uses computers to modify huge batches of industrial "coating" to make it just right. This room is on like the 3rd floor and you look out the windows to the top of the tanks where stuff is added to the mixture, etc. ( I have no idea what I'm talking about!)

Last week Mike was busy managing the project of replacing one of these large tanks which was rusted. Here is an in-progres photo with the old tank.

And here is the new tank

I was afraid to stand by this thing since it said "Reactor". I was afraid it would blow up!

Anyway, all this to say that I am amazed at my little brother! Most importantly, he is a humble, fun guy who everyone loves to be around. He loves to golf, go to professional sporting events, and hang out with the family. Recently he got this award from Valspar for his excellence on the job. I'm proud of you Mike!!