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| Steve Spinelli Owner/President Titanium Laboratories, Inc. |
At the ripe age of 15 like many other teenagers I hadn’t given much thought about what I wanted to be when I grow up. I took on a summer job for three consecutive summers, weekends, and holiday breaks, with my science teacher rebuilding his home from the foundation to the roof, where I learned the basics of general construction including roofing, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, masonry, and landscaping. I was fortunate to learn from a very knowledgeable and patient man who was also astute in the sciences. My summer construction gig played a large part in my decision to pursue the electrical field and I headed into trade school.
During my third year, I landed an opportunity to work part time for a local pest control company while attending school where I continued to work for several years. My part time job lead me down the path to work for one of the pest control firm’s chemical distributors for six years. I discovered all about the various chemical industry products, the main concerns for many local operators and their magic potions and tricks of the trade. All the while I continued working as a pest control technician part-time to help make ends meet. A larger chemical distributor offered me a position with their firm who catered to national pest control companies and I eventually landed a position working for a leading pest control company side by side with a board certified Entomologist who now oversees the vector control for the State of California, and a leading hygienist who develops sanitation protocols for large national food processing plants. I was captivated by the sanitation protocols relating to food safety, mold, fungi, sampling, temperature control, and monitoring and once again struck gold by working with a leading expert who shared his passion for his field. At the same time, I furthered my study in psychometrics, the study of air and its qualities, ventilation, and air conditioning, focusing my studies on air quality within the building envelope.
By 2001 I spread my wings and finally started my own business, Titanium Laboratories, beginning by solely providing pest control service. Almost immediately while inspecting buildings for pests, which often situates a pest control technician in the magnificent domain of damp and dark spaces, I consistently discovered and consulted with my clients to deal with excess moisture and lack of air flow, leading to mold testing, VOC testing, and naturally mold removal. It shocked me at the time and continues to concern me that there are in most states absolutely no licensure required to become a “Mold Expert.” Even though not required I enlisted for yet another education and became nationally certified in mold inspection and mold remediation, and became a member of the IAQA. It’s not a glamorous job, but I love it. Every day I interact with different people in different locations, and a new problem to solve. I wouldn’t trade it for a million bucks.
