The MCA of Western Washington (MCAWW) has appointed Robin Cowper as its Executive Director effective January 1, 2024. “Robin is well positioned and well qualified for this role and I cannot be more happy or proud,” said current MCAWW Executive Director Ed Kommers. He noted that Robin has been with MCAWW since 2005 and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), a credential presented by the American Society of Association Executives.

Preventive maintenance is crucial for ensuring the reliability and efficiency of pumps and motors, which are essential components of commercial HVAC applications. An effective maintenance program can reduce unplanned downtime, decrease maintenance costs, and extend asset life. All of these drive business value, which is especially important in today’s competitive and challenging commercial building environment, when building operation teams are being asked to do more with less.

December 31 marks the deadline for Early Bird registration for the 2024 MCAA Annual Convention, so register today to take advantage of the discounted rates.

Looking to gain efficiencies, the BP Group undertook a high-level process reengineering process that resulted in the development of an online tool. MCAA’s PIPES (PROCESS INFORMATION PORTAL ENABLING SUCCESS) provides details of the solution to inspire others looking to undertake a similar project. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Employers with positive safety cultures are often the safest contractors around. Excellent safety culture starts at the top and can have profound impact on your company’s bottom line. Alternatively poor safety culture can cripple a contractor and lead to serious injuries and violations. This month’s kit includes resources for workers and supervisors, and highlights three supervisory videos on safety leadership, safety management, and safety conflict resolution.

The MEP Innovation Conference is renowned for selling out every year, and with good reason – it’s co-produced by three industry pillars: MCAA, NECA, and SMACNA. Join us in sunny Orlando, Florida, from January 29 – 31, as we bring together the best innovators in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing industry. Our sessions are peer-focused, offering real-world case studies from contractors just like you. Explore multiple learning opportunities through sessions, workshops, breakouts, facility tours, networking, and exhibits. Don’t let this opportunity slip away. Secure your spot now and stay ahead of the game in the ever-evolving MEP industry. Register today!

The future of MCAA is fundamentally linked to the quality of the individuals who serve on its Board of Directors. MCAA members who would like to be considered for one of four vacancies are encouraged to learn more and complete the application. Applications should be returned no later than January 12, 2024. Candidates and their spokespersons will be scheduled for interviews at the 2024 MCAA Annual Convention. Those who are selected will begin their terms in March 2024.

The Madison Area Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (MSC) and Steamfitters Local 601 hosted their 35th Heat’s On event on October 21, 2023. More than 50 area steamfitters volunteered a day of labor to inspect and service heating systems in the homes of 69 veterans throughout Dane County.

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Harris saw an immediate return on investment (ROI) from their Watts Specialties automated pipe cutter, with improved efficiency in cutting and handling and no need for hand-cutting for olets or saddles. Based in St. Paul, MN, Harris has 15 regional offices with more than 300,000 square feet of fabrication shops.

United Association (UA) General President Mark McManus and MCAA President Robert Beck announced the creation of the Mechanical Industry Future Leaders Institute in a letter to their memberships. The new three‐day program will provide leadership education to future field leaders. The joint initiative is a key part of the UA/MCAA Strategic Planning Committee’s efforts to proactively position our industry for continued success and growth. The first session will take place in May 2024. See the attached letter for details and the nomination form. The deadline for submissions is January 12, 2024. This course is completely separate from the MCAA Fundamentals of Field Leadership online course that will start in Q2 of 2024.

MCAA Government Affairs Committee Chairman Jim Gaffney and former Congressman Earl Pomeroy, MCAA’s government relations consultant, testified on MCAA’s behalf at the November 21, 2023, Internal Revenue Service hearing. The hearing addressed proposed rules requiring prevailing wages and apprentice utilization for enhanced tax credits under the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) energy projects available for the next 10 years.