Organization: MCAA

Building the Future: How JRGF is Supporting the Heavy Metal Summer Experience

The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) is proud to support the Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE)—a fast-growing, hands-on program introducing high school students to careers in the skilled trades, including mechanical and plumbing construction.

Beginning next week and continuing through the summer, 51 HMSE camps will take place across the U.S. and Canada. These camps are hosted by contractors, Joint Apprenticeship Training Centers (JATCs), and partners from all areas of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) trades. Organizers expect more than 700 students to participate this year, making it the largest summer yet for the program.

HMSE connects students with real-world construction environments where they can learn about tools, safety, basic trade skills, and the teamwork that defines jobsite culture. For many, it’s their first direct exposure to a career path in construction—and that exposure matters.

This mission aligns directly with JRGF’s core purpose: to support career development, workforce recruitment, and public education about mechanical and plumbing construction. By sponsoring HMSE, JRGF is helping expand the program’s reach into more communities, opening the door to industry careers for a broader and more diverse group of students.

As the mechanical and plumbing industry faces continued labor shortages, JRGF sees HMSE as a key part of the solution. It’s not just awareness—it’s activation. Students walk away from the summer with hands-on experience, mentorship, and a clearer path toward apprenticeships or other training opportunities.

JRGF’s investment in HMSE is one more way the foundation is building the future—supporting the next generation of talent and ensuring the long-term strength of our industry. To learn more about the program, visit the HMSE website.

Congratulations to Gabriel Biagioni, Recipient of the William A. Bianco, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Gabriel Biagioni is the 2024-2025 recipient of the William A. Bianco, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. Kinetics Systems, Inc. established this scholarship to honor William “Bill” Bianco, the foundation’s former President and an MCAA Distinguished Service Award recipient, for his many contributions to the mechanical industry’s continuing advancement.

Gabriel majored in Construction Management at California State University, Chico and graduated in May. He was an active member of his student chapter from 2022-2025 and served as the Competition Chair and Event Coordinator for his chapter. Gabriel, who interned with MCAA Members, MacDonald Miller Facility Solutions and Marelich Mechanical, will be starting his full-time job this summer with MCAA Member ACCO Engineered Systems as a Project Engineer.

“Through my involvement with MCAA, I have gained invaluable experience, from networking opportunities to practical knowledge. Being part of the MCAA student chapter has allowed me to build strong connections with major mechanical contractors in the Bay Area and expand my network into Washington. This has not only strengthened my professional network but also improved my social skills. Talking with industry professionals has helped me become more comfortable in professional settings, a skill that will be crucial as I advance in my career.

Additionally, I have benefited greatly from the amount of resources and learning opportunities MCAA offers. The MCAA website, our local chapter, and the Student Chapter Competition have provided a great deal of education in mechanical contracting. Resources like WebLEM and other industry best practices have deepened my understanding of construction management and prepared me for real-world applications. With the Student Chapter Competition, they give you insight that each project is different, and they all have their own quirks and aspects that differ from project to project. I believe these projects help students enter the real world since mechanical contracting is ever changing and never the same.

MCAA teaches you how to tackle and break down large projects, which is something that might take years to do if you’ve never been a part of it. After graduation, I plan to remain actively involved with MCAA. I hope to attend local contractor events and contribute by leading learning sessions on topics like scheduling and estimating, skills that are vital for success in the competition and on the job. By staying connected with the local student chapter, I aim to give back to the organization that has been crucial in my development, supporting future members as they prepare for their own careers.“

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Gabriel on this prestigious scholarship and thank Kinetics Systems, Inc. for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.

Congratulations to Kavan Limbasiya, Recipient of the Trimble Future Estimator Scholarship

The Trimble Future Estimator Scholarship was developed to recognize a student specifically interested in being a mechanical estimator upon graduation.

For a number of years, Trimble has donated complimentary use of the Trimble Estimation MEP software for the Student Chapter Competition teams. Likewise, this scholarship is awarded annually to a Student Chapter Competition Final Four team member.

Kavan graduated earlier this month from Pittsburg State University with a degree in Construction Engineering. This summer, he will be starting his full-time career with The Waldinger Corporation. During his time in the student chapter, Kavan served as Program Chair and presented in the Final Four at MCAA25 in Austin, TX.

“My internship with Waldinger last summer provided valuable insights into the estimating process, where I gained hands-on experience in data analysis and project specifications. Additionally, my involvement with the MCAA Student Chapter Competition allowed me to explore scheduling, highlighting the critical role it plays in effective estimation.

My involvement with MCAA has been pivotal in shaping my career in mechanical construction. It not only provided me with essential industry knowledge, but also facilitated valuable networking opportunities, ultimately helping me secure my first internship. I plan to stay engaged with MCAA, participating in events and supporting future students.”

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Kavan on this prestigious scholarship and thank Trimble for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.

Congratulations to Bruno Portes, Recipient of the Robert T. Armistead Memorial Scholarship

Congratulations to Bruno Portes, one of two recipients of the Robert T. Armistead Memorial Scholarship. This $5,000 scholarship was established in 2024 by Armistead Mechanical, Inc. and the family of Robert “Bob” Armistead to symbolize his leadership, dedication, and impact on the mechanical contracting industry. In honor of Bob’s service as MCAA President, the selected winners are required to have served in the role as their local student chapter president.

Bruno is a Mechanical Engineering student at Fairleigh Dickinson University and graduating in May. He is an active member of his student chapter, served as President, Vice President, and Recruitment Chair, and interned at MCAA Member, Mid-Atlantic Mechanical. Post-graduation, Bruno will be continuing on at Mid-Atlantic as a full-time Project Engineer.

“Mechanical construction, unlike many other industries, offers a variety of roles to apply yourself. There’s so many roles within mechanical that helps me as a young adult not be so worried about picking a career and being afraid of regretting it. As a future mechanical engineer graduate, I can use my skills to be a project manager, an estimator, part of scheduling, and even go into management in the future if I would like.

This sort of flexibility allows for me to grow into a career that I will be happy to be in. Moreover, many of the “engineer” things that I find cool like reading drawings, discussing solutions, and building things are all part of it. I could be part of bidding, drawing, and building something. That’s like the best of three worlds and I love that!“

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Bruno on this prestigious scholarship and thank Armistead Mechanical, Inc. and the family of Robert T. Armistead for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.

Secure a Pool of Qualified Applicants This Summer: MCAA’s Internship & Recruitment Guides Can Help

Internship season is officially here and fall student chapter recruitment plans will quickly follow. MCAA has two resources currently available to help secure a pool of qualified future employees.

Internships

Having interns working at MCAA member companies is a win-win for the mechanical contracting industry. Employers get top talent and build a pipeline for future employees. Students gain experience, create connections, develop skills and further their interest in mechanical contracting.

Internship Guide

The guide includes these tools for MCAA members looking to create or improve their internship program, but might not know where to start:

Hot Sauce Guide
Internship Best Practices
Industry Orientation Day
Hire Me October

Recruitment

MCAA Student Chapters are an excellent place to find your next great hire! Spending an hour or two on campus assisting with student chapter recruitment could result in a new student that could be your next rockstar project engineer upon graduation. The first step is creating awareness about the mechanical industry as a whole, which is a team effort that typically includes the faculty advisor, student chapter members, local execs, and MCAA Members.

Recruitment Guide

Get tailored resources for everyone to help pitch in and support our student chapters with their recruitment efforts on campus, including:

PowerPoint Template + Customization Guide (students)
Flyer Template + Customization Guide (students)
Recruitment Idea List (faculty)
Recruitment Timeline (faculty)
Recruitment Guide Best Practices for Members (members)
Recruitment Guide Best Practices for Execs (Association Execs)

New Resource – Coming Fall 2025

The MCAA Career Development Committee is hard at work getting ready to roll out the next resource, “Mechanical Education in the Classroom”. This guide will be available at the end of summer, timed perfectly for use on campus this fall, and is intended to highlight MCAA resources that can be useful to fill the curriculum gap. New hires and office staff are also encouraged to check it out to assist with the alphabet soup of mechanical and knowing where to start to feel more confident when speaking the lingo.

If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to MCAA’s Michele Hoffman.

Visit MCAA’s Career Development Initiative page to learn more about student chapter programming.

Congratulations to Shelby Gustafson, Recipient of the Bolton Family Scholarship

Congratulations to Shelby Gustafson, the recipient of the Bolton Family Scholarship. This $5,000 scholarship was established in 2024 to pay tribute to the significant contributions that the Boltons have provided to the construction industry and the dedicated service they have provided to the employees of Arden Building Companies.

The scholarship honors the family’s dedicated volunteer work within the communities they service in Rhode Island, notably their efforts in aiding children from Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking backgrounds in mastering the English language within the school system and their improvements with the Ronald McDonald House. The scholarship embodies the values of service, community engagement and support for those in need that have been integral to the Bolton family’s legacy.

Shelby is studying Construction Management at California State University, Chico and is expecting to graduate in May 2026. She has served her student chapter as Vice President and has interned with MCAA Member, ACCO Engineered Systems since 2023.

“To me, it seems like there’s never a dull moment in mechanical construction. There is always something new to learn or a new code to adhere to. Being at the forefront of sustainability and energy efficiency, I am confident that the industry will be ever expanding for years to come. The ever-developing systems create a challenge themselves along with other factors affecting it. Even just learning how the systems work fascinates me. The simple complexity of it all has made me fall in love with it from the beginning.

Throughout the summer I was busy and having the time of my life. The project team I was with was extremely helpful and I liked how much they trusted me to perform work for them. I felt valuable to the team at ACCO and not just a paper pusher. I also loved a lot of the job sites they allowed me to bid out. My favorite part of the summer was doing quantity take offs for a data center and a quantum computer project. Already getting to be a part of these life changing systems has made me even more enthusiastic to pursue a career in mechanical contracting.”

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Shelby on this prestigious scholarship and thank the Bolton Family and Arden Building Companies for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.

Congratulations to Braidyn Hudson, Recipient of the Alan P. O’Shea Memorial Scholarship

Congratulations to Braidyn Hudson, one of the two recipients of the Alan P. O’Shea Memorial Scholarship. The Mechanical Contractors Association of New Jersey established these scholarships to honor the memory of Alan P. O’Shea, it’s former Executive Director, and to memorialize his many contributions to the mechanical contracting industry. The scholarships were presented by David G. Strobino (MCA of New Jersey President) and Phil Petillo (MCA of New Jersey Executive Director) at the MCAA25 Awards of Excellence Breakfast in Austin on March 5^th.

Braidyn anticipates graduating from Indiana State University in May 2027 with a degree in construction management. He has been active in his student chapter since 2023 and has held the positions of Treasurer and Fundraising Chair. This summer, Braidyn will be interning with MCAA Member, BMWC Constructors.

The opportunities the student chapter gave me these last few years were amazing. I had a chance to travel to the 2024 MCAA Convention in Orlando due to my active involvement with the competition. There, I was able to meet so many people, many who I was able to reconnect with in Seattle at the GreatFutures Forum this past fall. Being involved in the competition and getting help from our industry advisors allowed me to get insider knowledge into the industry before other students in my school. I know this knowledge will allow me to succeed and advance in my career.

Outside of school, MCAA helped me get an internship at BMWC Constructors last summer and plant the seeds of good relations between myself and others in the industry as well.

Five years from now, I expect to be in some sort of project engineer position immediately following graduation. This is the position I have been exposed to the most through my internships. I’m pursing a double major and getting an accounting degree as well as my construction management degree. This was done to gain the knowledge of how to properly handle a company’s finances and budget a project. I hope the experience I will have gained while in school and with the student chapter will allow me to advance at an escalated rate within a company. Depending on what areas I enjoy the most in the industry, I could also see myself in an estimating position as well.”

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Braidyn on this prestigious scholarship and thank the MCA of New Jersey for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.

Save the Date for MCAA’s 2025 GreatFutures Forum

Although summer ’25 isn’t quite here yet, it’s already time to start the process for securing your summer ’26 interns! Save the date for the 2025 MCAA GreatFutures Forum (October 9-11, 2025) in Salt Lake City, Utah. Conference registration, including the Job Fair, is complimentary for MCAA Members, MCAA Student Chapter Members, Faculty Advisors, Affiliated Association Executives and Forum Sponsors. Registration will open on July 1^st.

Congratulations to Aidan Wolownik, Recipient of the Thomas J. Wanner Memorial Scholarship

Congratulations to Aidan Wolownik, the 2024-2025 recipient of the Thomas J. Wanner Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship, which was established in 2022, was created to honor the previous MCA/MSCA of Cleveland, Inc. Executive Director, Thomas J. Wanner. For the past three scholarship presentations, Tom was on stage to help present the scholarship in person, but this year was unable to travel and passed away two days after the awards breakfast. He is sorely missed and fondly remembered by the entire MCAA family.

Tom became the Executive Director of the Mechanical and Plumbing Contractors Association in the Greater Cleveland area in 1986. As the association executive, he focused tirelessly on labor relations, collective bargaining, education and training, legislation, codes and business operations for over three decades. He served as a trustee, a chair and member on numerous local industry, business, and civic organizations.

The current scholarship recipient, Aidan Wolownik, is studying construction management at Pittsburg State University and is anticipated to graduate this May. Aidan has been a member of the student chapter since 2022 and has held the roles of Fundraising Chair and President. Upon graduation, Aidan will join MCAA Member, Lippert Mechanical Service Corporation as an Assistant Project Manager.

“What is most appealing to me about mechanical construction is that we make a building come alive. Essentially, the general contractor builds the skeleton and mechanical contractors go in and put all the organs together. This plays a huge role in our world today. Without mechanical contracting, buildings are nothing but walls.

Likewise, what I’ve gained by being involved with MCAA is hands down the networking. Networking plays a whole role in the mechanical industry, and with networking comes connections. After graduation, I hope to be able to support my chapter by being an alumni advisor.”

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Aidan on this prestigious scholarship and thank the MCA/MSCA of Cleveland, Inc. for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.

Summer’s Coming—Is Your Workforce Ready? Attract Top Interns and New Grads Now on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board!

There are still plenty of students looking for the perfect summer job. Whether your company is in need of a new project manager, estimator, or a few new interns, posting to the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board is a quick and easy way to attract fresh new talent looking for opportunities across the country. The job board was created to highlight entry level (no experience required) positions in the mechanical contracting industry and is a complimentary resource for MCAA Members.

How to Post an Entry-Level Job or Internship

Login with an MCAA username and password.
Click on the job board within the Career Development page.
Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting.

Jobs remain active for one month to ensure postings stay fresh.
When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month.
Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume.

Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resume.
From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s application and interview process.

VIEW JOB BOARD

New jobs are highlighted every two weeks on the mcaagreatfutures Instagram page.

If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to MCAA’s Michele Hoffman.

Visit MCAA’s Career Development Initiative page to learn more about student chapter programming or the JRGF website to explore the work that the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) is doing to further education in the mechanical industry.