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Meet the Final Four Teams in MCAA’s 2020-2021 Student Chapter Competition

MCAA is so excited that our Virtual Education Conference (VEC)Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, is almost here! Next week starts off with MCAA’s Annual Student Chapter Competition on Monday, March 22nd from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET and you will not want to miss it. Get to know the final four teams before the big competition!

Fairleigh Dickinson University

MCAA’s student chapter at Fairleigh Dickinson University was chartered in 2003. Wonjae Choi, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, is the current faculty advisor.

The FDU chapter has entered the MCAA Student Chapter Competition every year since 2004. They competed in the Final Four at the 2018 MCAA Convention in San Antonio. In 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2019, the chapter placed in the top 10 and received a Certificate of Merit recognizing their achievement.  

The chapter received Emerging Chapter grants in 2004 and 2007. They also received a Chapter of Excellence Grant in 2005, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2020.

Meet Fairleigh Dickinson’s competition team: 
(The competition team consisted of all Mechanical Engineering majors)
Francis Castro, Class of 2021
Keion Oglesby, Class of 2021
Andrew Sayad, Class of 2022
Natalie Stanton, Class of 2021
Alejandro Zapata, Class of 2021

Kansas State University 

Kansas State University’s chapter received its charter at the 2010 Convention in San Francisco. The chapter’s current faculty advisors are Paul Karr and Jongchul Song. KSU has consistently participated in the student competition since 2011. Chapter members have attended all of the MCAA Conventions and Student Chapter Summits and GreatFutures Forums since it was chartered. 

The chapter received an Emerging Chapter Grant in 2011, 2014 and again in 2019. They received a Chapter of Excellence Grant in 2018 and 2020.

Meet Kansas State University’s competition team: 
Annie Burnam, Construction Science and Management, Class of 2021
Collin Champagne, Construction Science and Management, Class of 2022
Carlos Espino, Architectural Engineering, Class of 2024
Kayla Huffman, Architectural Engineering, Class of 2022
Trevor Waggoner, Architectural Engineering , Class of 2022
Peyton Winter, Construction Science and Management, Class of 2024

Missouri State University

Missouri State’s student chapter was charted in the Spring of 2017 and the chapter has been incredibly involved in MCAA’s Career Development Initiative, attending every GreatFutures Forum and Convention since. Jacob Nelson is the current faculty advisor. 

Meet Missouri State University’s competition team: 
(The competition team consisted of all Construction Management majors)
Nathan Bextermueller, Class of 2022
Cole Eiler, Class of 2021
Tanner Hartman, Class of 2021
Cabriah Hillman, Class of December 2021
Keagan Hosman, Class of 2022
Ryan Sweeny, Class of 2023

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg Campus

MCAA’s student chapter at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg Campus was chartered in 2007. The chapter has consistently participated in MCAA events, and their local MCA of Metro Washington hosted MCAA’s last GreatFutures Forum in Washington, D.C. in 2019. 

Most recently, their student chapter was awarded an Emerging Chapter Grant in 2020. 

Georg Reichard, PhD, PE has been the faculty advisor of this student chapter from the start and still stands as the faculty advisor today. 

Meet the Virginia Tech Blacksburg Campus competition team: 
(The competition team consisted of all Building Construction majors)
Ke’Aja (KJ) Jefferson, Class of 2021
Andrew Nguyen, Class of 2021
Justin Zeigmont, Class of December 2021

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) congratulate all of the finalists and recognize their commitment and dedication to this year’s project. 

MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight 16 Welcomes Gary Moore, Victaulic Executive Vice President

In the sixteenth episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series, Brian Helm, MCAA President is joined by Gary Moore, Victaulic’s Global Executive Vice President of Sales. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them.

Gary began his career with Victaulic in June 1988 as a sales representative in Canada. Within ten years, he was made the President of Victaulic Canada. When he moved to the United States in 2003, he was first the Vice President of Sales in North America, followed by North and South America, and finally, the Americas and EMEAI. He took on his current role as the company’s Global Executive Vice President of Sales in 2009. Gary was the National Director of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada’s Supplier Council, and he has been involved with the MCAA Manufacturer/Supplier Council in the U.S. for the last 18 years, including three years on the Board of Directors.

MCAA Welcomes Jon Howland, Marketing Director for DEWALT Industrial Tool Company in Sponsor Spotlight 15

In the fifteenth episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series, MCAA CEO, Tim Brink welcomes Jon Howland, Marketing Director, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them.

An innovative and highly-effective strategist with a track record of delivering multimillion-dollar sales increases through the implementation of astute marketing initiatives focused on the Commercial and Industrial End User, Jon Howland serves as a Marketing Director for the Industrial and Commercial Division of the North America Commercial Team within Stanley Black & Decker’s Global Tools & Storage Division. A twenty-six-year veteran of Stanley Black & Decker, in his current role, Jon’s main charge is developing and executing a relevant approach for the division’s commercial and digital implementation of its Total Trade Solutions offering through their Enterprise Solutions Teams by working closely with Trade Organizations, Associations, and Companies articulating the Corporation’s Innovation, Safety, Productivity, and Profitability message. Jon is a veteran of the United States Navy; chairman of Stanley Black & Decker’s Global Tools & Storage Veterans Network Employee Resource Group; Member of the National Board of Directors of the ToolBank USA; and representative on the MCAA Manufacturer/Supplier Council. He and his wife, Erin, reside in Towson, MD with their twins, Mac & Livi.

The bold portfolio of Stanley Black & Decker’s brands, products, and services, inclusive of their Total Trade Solutions, is anchored by Dewalt, Dewalt Anchors & Fasteners, Lenox Tools, and Proto Industrial Tools from which Howland drives End User acquisition and fidelity. 

MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight Episode 14 Welcomes Dean Taylor, Executive Vice President Sales for Anvil and Smith-Cooper International

In the fourteenth episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series MCAA Co-Vice President/Assistant Treasurer, Rick Gopffarth welcomes Dean Taylor, Executive Vice President Sales for Anvil and Smith-Cooper International. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them.

Dean joined the company back in 1986 and has over 34 years of experience in the industry. Through the years, Dean has held several roles within the organization (from the ground up), working in the warehouse and inside sales before holding positions such as Warehouse Manager, Inside Sales Manager, Market Manager, and Regional Manager, continuing to work his way up to the Executive level. In his current role, Dean is responsible for global sales across all markets served, implementing and managing strategic sales plans to achieve sales goals. 

Beyond the Classroom Video Series: Showing Interest in the Industry

Ted McHugh left college with an education geared more towards a career in general contracting, with limited knowledge of the mechanical industry. However, he applied for a job at West Chester Mechanical Contractors, Inc. and quickly gained experience in various roles within the company.

Ted shares insight into the time and interest he put into researching the company and emphasizes that this is an important part of their hiring process, “When we’re hiring, we’re looking for somebody who’s interested in the company, interested in our industry and knows a little bit about it. Come into an interview and ask questions.”

A current MCAA Career Development committee member, Ted talks with passion when describing the variety of opportunities the mechanical industry offers to meet individual interests, and he is a great example of what you can achieve if you develop an interest and passion for the industry.

Find Talent for Your Company’s Future Growth with the MCAA GreatFutures Jobs Board

MCAA members looking for talented young people to ensure their companies’ future competitiveness can get a helping hand from the MCAA’s GreatFutures Job Board. Visit the board and login with your MCAA.org password to post your company’s internship and job opportunities. While you’re there, be sure to browse the student resumes to connect with potential matches. If you have any questions, please reach out to Megan Walsh.

MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight Episode 12 Welcomes Greg Christopher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mueller Industries

In the twelfth episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series Bob Bolton, MCAA Senior Vice President/Treasurer welcomes Greg Christopher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mueller Industries. Mueller Industries, Inc. is an industrial manufacturer that specializes in copper and copper alloy manufacturing while also producing goods made from aluminum, steel, and plastics. It is headquartered in Collierville, Tennessee and comprises a network of operations in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them.

Greg Christopher is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mueller Industries, Inc. Joining Mueller in 1992, he has spent much of his career in varying leadership roles within the company. Throughout his profession, Greg’s deep belief in the importance of relationships has kept him actively involved with customers and industry associations, including MCAA. Greg grew up in the Upstate region of New York near Buffalo, and today resides in Germantown, Tennessee, with his wife, Angie, and their two children, Henry (21) and Sophie (21).

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to Apply for 2020 Scholarships, the Student Chapter of the Year Award and to Nominate an Educator of the Year!

JRGF offers several scholarships as part of its commitment to funding the next generation of mechanical contracting leaders. JRGF and its generous donors are proud to present the following scholarships:

  • Foster McCarl, Jr. Memorial Scholarship – The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) has established a $2,500 scholarship to commemorate its founder, Foster McCarl, Jr. and to honor his memory. This national scholarship will symbolize the scope of Mr. McCarl’s impact on the mechanical contracting industry and memorialize his many contributions to its continuing advancement.
  • Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship – The John W. Danforth Company has established a $5,000 scholarship to commemorate the memory of its leadership, the Reilly Family. Danforth is a charter member of the MCAA. Kevin “Duke” Reilly served as Danforth’s Chairman/CEO. Wayne, Patrick and Emmett Reilly contributed a combined 128 years of commitment and loyalty to their company and the industry. This national scholarship will symbolize the Reillys’ many contributions to the mechanical contracting industry.
  • William A. Bianco, Jr. Memorial Scholarship – Kinetics has established a $5,000 scholarship to commemorate William A. Bianco, Jr. and to honor his memory. This national scholarship will symbolize the scope of Mr. Bianco’s impact on the mechanical contracting industry and memorialize his many contributions to its continuing advancement.
  • Ferguson – Women in the Mechanical Industry Scholarship (Open to female students) – Ferguson is sponsoring two $5,000 scholarships for two worthy female students invested in career in the mechanical contracting industry.
  • Alan P. O’Shea Memorial Scholarship – The Mechanical Contractors Association of New Jersey has established two $2,500 scholarships to honor the memory of Alan P. O’Shea, former Executive Director of the MCA of New Jersey. These national scholarships will memorialize Mr. O’Shea’s many contributions to the mechanical contracting industry.

If you wish to apply, please email your completed application, your resume, and a letter of recommendation to Megan Walsh at mwalsh@mcaa.org by the end of the day.

The Student Chapter of the Year Award recognizes an MCAA student chapter for outstanding achievement as an organization of students who are planning careers in the mechanical construction industry. The award recognizes exceptional achievement in governance and leadership, membership recruiting, fundraising, community involvement, and career development. Apply now!

The Educator of the Year Award recognizes MCAA student chapter faculty advisors for exceptional accomplishment as advisors, educators, and mentors of students who plan to develop a professional career with the mechanical construction industry. Nominate your faculty advisor today!