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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!

Beyond the Classroom Video Series: Taking The First Step Into the Unknown

A Notre Dame graduate in Mechanical Engineering, Anne Finerfrock was unsure which direction she wanted to take her career in. She knew she did not want to sit behind a desk but had no answers to an important question: is that a viable career option? Fortunately, Anne spent time at a career fair and began a conversation with a mechanical contracting company. Investing her time to seek out answers resulted in an internship at this company and her first step into the industry.

Anne speaks highly of the endless opportunities provided to individuals in a similar position, “The advantage of working for a mechanical contractor versus a large GC is that you really get involved in all aspects of the project.” Now a Project Manager at W.E. Bowers, Anne credits the MCAA GreatFutures program for providing opportunities to explore career options and internship possibilities that offer 8 to 10 weeks of first-hand experience.

Kayley Wright, Mass Maritime Student Joins Corporate Mechanical of New England for 2021 Winter Internship

One of the most important elements of an internship is integrating classroom knowledge with practical application and skill development. Kayley Wright, Mass Maritime student recently participated in this important learning process as she interned with Corporate Mechanical of New England, LLC, an Arden Building Company.

We recently asked Kayley about her major, her interests, and her experience at Corporate Mechanical.

“I chose to study Energy Systems Engineering, specifically at Mass Maritime, because I knew I would get a lot of hands-on experience, which is my favorite aspect of engineering. I have always enjoyed tracing out different systems within a larger facility and finding out what purpose each small part serves. My major also emphasizes design, so when I saw that Corporate Mechanical of New England (CMNE) uses Autodesk Revit, a building information modeling (BIM) software, I was very intrigued” she excitedly explained. 

Kayley continued on to share what a great experience her time with CMNE has been. “I have had the opportunity to visit multiple job sites and experience first-hand, alongside project managers, the day-to-day problem solving required, which is very interesting. Another part of engineering I enjoy is finding a problem and creating a solution. Not only have I been working on the project management side of the company, but I have also done some work in estimating, doing take-offs and budgets for different projects. I now have a better understanding of HVAC and all the components within a system. Overall, it’s been a great experience.”

Start Your Search for Top Talent Today. Find student chapter members like Kayley by visiting MCAAGreatFutures.org, where members have access to student profiles and resumes. The profiles are searchable by university, desired location, and even a specific skill set, like BIM or AutoCAD. A keyword filter allows users to zero in on students who fit the bill.

The Results Are In From the First Round of MCAA’s 2020-2021 Student Chapter Competition. Congratulations to Our Final Four Teams!

MCAA’s Career Development Committee would like to thank all 19 student chapters that participated in MCAA’s 2020-2021 Student Chapter Competition. MCAA congratulates the four chapter finalists: Farleigh Dickinson University, Kansas State University, Missouri State University, and Virginia Tech Blacksburg Campus. 

MCAA’s 2020-2021 Student Chapter Competition project required student chapters to act as the prime contractor on the renovation project to the historic University of Pennsylvania Museum. The Career Development Committee extends its sincere appreciation to MCAA Past President, Mark Rogers, and MCAA Career Development Committee member, Ted McHugh, both of West Chester Mechanical Contractors, Inc. for arranging the use of this project and providing the information and accompanying technical drawings.

This year’s project was challenging in itself and many student chapters had the additional unforeseen challenge of having to work and collaborate on their proposal from afar, with strict COVID-19 restrictions in place limiting team gatherings. Thank you to all MCAA student chapters who worked extra hard to submit a bid this year: 

  1. Ball State University 
  2. Binghamton University 
  3. California State Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 
  4. California State University Chico 
  5. California State University East Bay 
  6. Illinois State University 
  7. Kent State University 
  8. McMaster University 
  9. Oregon State University 
  10. Pittsburgh State University 
  11. Purdue University 
  12. University of Maryland College Park 
  13. University of Missouri Columbia 
  14. University of Nebraska 
  15. University of Southern California

Technology Is Changing the Way You Do Business. Software Developer and Construction Technology Expert Brett Young Will Teach You How to Adapt. Register for MCAA’s Virtual Education Conference Today

As part of our Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, you will hear from Brett Young, a software developer and construction technology expert. 

Technology is a double-edged sword. It can enable a business to grow or create severe detrimental external competitive pressures. In this seminar, “Next-Gen Business Practices – Future Proofing the Mechanical Contractor” you will explore global architecture, engineering and construction industry technology trends against a backdrop that assumes the role of the mechanical contractor will be changing in the years to come. You will learn how to adapt to new business realities that defragment our industry, how to increase productivity and change business models, and how to future-proof the role of the mechanical contractor in the AEC business. 

Brett Young is CTO and co-founder at M2x.ai and a recognized thought leader in the architecture, engineering and construction industry. His work focuses on the use of video game technology to democratize, expand and deepen software development for building information modeling (BIM).  

Register today and join your MCAA friends and colleagues online at MCAA’s first Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, March 22 – 25, 2021. 

Registration is available for individuals and for companies (up to 10 registrants per company registration). Questions can be directed to eventregistration@mcaa.org. We look forward to seeing you in March! 

Thank you  Sloan for sponsoring this session and your continued support of MCAA. 

REGISTER NOW

How Does Culture and Change Lead to Unprecedented Growth? Register for MCAA’s Virtual Education Conference to Learn from Steve Richman and Brian Helm.

As part of our Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, you have the opportunity to join a conversation between Steve Richman, MILWAUKEE TOOL Group President, and Brian Helm, MCAA President, as they discuss Milwaukee Tools’ business adventure. 

The session “Culture and Change” will put you in Steve Richman’s shoes and guide you through his difficult transition and how he positioned the company for a decade of unprecedented growth. Steve and Brian will discuss details about this journey, the change that was required, and the unique culture that Steve helped build within the MILWAUKEE® leadership team. 

Steve was appointed Group President of MILWAUKEE TOOL in January 2007, and is responsible for Milwaukee’s Power Tool, Hand Tool, Accessory and Empire divisions. He oversees Global Product Development, Manufacturing and Operations for each division, as well as MILWAUKEE® Sales in North and South America. He has over 25 years of experience in the management of industrial, electrical, plumbing and retail distribution channels. Since he joined the MILWAUKEE® team in 2007 MILWAUKEE® has experienced a complete transformation under his leadership. 

Register today and join your MCAA friends and colleagues online at MCAA’s first Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, March 22 – 25, 2021. 

Registration is available for individuals and for companies (up to 10 registrants per company registration). Questions can be directed to eventregistration@mcaa.org. We look forward to seeing you in March! 

Thank you MILWAUKEE TOOL for sponsoring this session and your continued support of MCAA. 

REGISTER NOW

Meet Jeff Drees, Executive Vice President, Daikin Applied Americas, in MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight Episode 9

In the ninth episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series, Tim Brink, MCAA CEO connects with Jeff Drees, Executive Vice President, Sales, Service, Aftermarket, Marketing for Daikin Applied Americas. 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.

Jeff Drees has been the EVP of Daikin Applied Americas since April 2020. Prior to joining Daikin, Jeff held CEO positions in private equity. Prior to his private equity roles, Jeff held key leadership roles as President and Officer for Flowserve Corporation as well as working for Schneider Electric as President of the US organization and EVP of Professional Services. Jeff is a 1991 graduate of Southern Illinois University with a B.S. in Electronic Engineering and received his MBA from Aurora University with an Executive Development program at Insead. ​ ​

Recorded: Friday, January 22, 2021