The full-featured digital version of MCAA’s Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide enhances the look and feel of our printed directory. Download your copy for digital-only benefits that help you stay connected throughout the year. Printed copies are in the mail. Whichever version you choose to use, the directory is free as a benefit of membership.
The digital version of the directory helps you:
Network from anywhere with linked email addresses.
Connect with the companies, products and services that interest you using linked web addresses.
Get where you’re going…fast…with bookmarks and a linked table of contents.
Find advertisers instantly with a linked advertiser index.
As we, the MCAA family, look back on 2020 we see a year that has forced us all to change, to adapt and to overcome some of the biggest challenges to face our industry in decades. MCAA with its volunteer leadership, led by President Brian Helm and the rest of the Executive Committee, the MCAA Board of Directors, our contractor members, our manufacturer/supplier members and partners, local affiliates, volunteers who sit on our committees and Foundation and the national staff have taken the COVID-19 challenge head on. Sharing vision, talent and expertise the MCAA family has come together during 2020 to help each other like never before. Together we:
Delivered ideas and innovation at the annual MCAA Technology Conference with help from our Technology committee, our title sponsor, Trimble, and our event sponsors: Autodesk, DEWALT and Rhumbix.
Hosted a record number of attendees at the 17th MCAA’s Safety Directors’ Conference thanks to the Safety & Health committee, as well as our conference sponsors, CNA and MILWAUKEE TOOL.
Launched and led five virtual AEC best practices sessions with the guidance and leadership from the Association Executives Council.
Connected with industry improvement fund trustees and local association executives at the Industry Improvement Funds Virtual Seminar thanks to the Industry Improvement Funds Committee.
Partnered with the MCA of Northwest Ohio to produce the Field Leaders Conference in Toledo. Special thanks to presenters Greg Fuller, Mark Rogers, Chris Haslinger, John Koontz, Kevin Dougherty and Mark Breslin.
Added five new courses to the NEI seminars list with our new instructors Greg Fuller and Mark Rogers.
Organized, with the guidance from the MSCA Board of Managers, the ongoing Best from MSCA series where MSCA members share novel ideas and innovations.
Presented the MSCA’s Sales Reboot virtual program, Strategies for Navigating Change and Elevating Performance in the New Economy with presenter Seth Mattison to over 450 attendees.
Transformed the MSCA Dispatchers Professional Development Training Program to a virtual course thanks to the name sponsor, MILWAUKEE TOOL.
Held the PCA Virtual Education Series on Plumbing Service hosted by JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Service, Inc. which included seven hour-long module and panel discussions with a total of 281 live attendees. Special thanks to the Plumbing Contractors of America Board of Directors, JPG Plumbing & Mechanical and Bradford White for their contributions.
Paired 25 seasoned professionals in the mechanical industry with 25 females new to or looking to join the industry in the ongoing WiMI Mentor/Mentee Program with help from the Women in the Mechanical Industry Steering Committee.
Introduced the new Preparatory Institute for Project Management (PIPM) as a 12-week online curriculum and congratulated 192 graduates in the first year due to the recommendation and guidance from the Project Managers Education Committee.
Hosted the GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program with 333 registered attendees and 17 webinars because of the planning and recommendations from the Career Development Committee.
Received 19 submissions for the MCAA Annual Student Chapter Competition which was generously provided by West Chester Mechanical Contractors in Aston, PA.
Offered 604 registered members a virtual tour of Modern Companies’ fabrication operations, which uses MSUITE’s FabPro in the MCAA Virtual Fab Mini.
Launched the Sponsor Spotlight series of interviews as a way for our contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board including their products, relationships with MCAA and what being a member of the M/SC Governing Board means to them. Thanks to our M/SC Governing Board and the MCAA Executive Committee for their participation and time.
In addition to our education programs, MCAA was dedicated to providing more than 500 business resources, COVID-19-related and not, free as a benefit of membership, including:
The 2020 edition of MCAA’s Change Orders, Productivity, Overtime – A Primer for the Construction Industry publication providing guidance on costs associated with unplanned events, circumstances and factors that may impact the outcome, productivity and schedule of construction projects. Thank you to Paul Stynchcomb of Vero Construction Consultants Corp for his contributions, and the Management Methods Committee for their contributions of time, insight and experience.
MCAA’s 2020-2021 Tool & Equipment Rental Guide web portal has been updated thanks to MCAA’s partnership with EquipmentWatch, the industry leader in equipment data.
The next generation of MCAA’s most valuable resource, the WebLEM+Plusincluding a complete buildout of the Work Activity Method, unique data identifiers, the first-ever drawing content standard and the ability to attach drawing content to each labor unit. Thank you to U.S. Engineering for donating its drawing content library, Trimble for its Building Data and SysQue content and the MCAA WebLEM Committee for their contributions.
The COVID-19 Resource Center with more than 180 COVID-19-related resources including administrative and regulatory actions, information and analysis of the PPP, emergency funding analyses, and letters and forms to customize.
Thank you to all 55 individuals who donated to the MCAA PAC, including the time our Government Affairs Committee worked tirelessly meeting with countless Congressional and Senate office’s as well as our sister associations and our labor partners at the UA to push our agenda forward. We will continue to be your voice in the nation’s capital! If you would like to donate yourself, please visit the MCAA website.
Thank you for the 52 donations to the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) so we can continue to provide funding to students, faculty and MCAA student chapters. Your donations also mean that JRGF can develop innovative resources to help you work smarter and more efficiently. If you would like to see the full list of those who supported the Foundation from January 1, 2020 – December 21, 2020, or donate yourself, visit the JRGF website.
At our core, MCAA’s mission is to help the industry advance and adapt to change. 2020 has challenged us to do just that. With the constant changes and unknowns this year has brought, MCAA recommits to the core mission – we are committed to supporting you and your business as we grow the industry and overcome challenges together. As we reflect on this past year, we hope that you – our members, our family, find our resources and achievements valuable. We look forward to a new year full of more challenges and opportunities to help you!
Experts from Withum’s SBA Financial Services and Tax Services teams navigate through the myriad of provisions included in the more than 5,000 page legislative package finalized mid-December. Withum’s team covers in detail the provisions of the legislation which cover the following topics:
PPP Loans: Another Round of Funding
PPP Loan Forgiveness Process (Round 1 and Round 2)
PPP Loan Forgiveness Deductibility
Withum also covers the basics of the following provisions, but expect to have more detailed communications on these as guidance becomes more clear:
Frank Wall has joined the MCAA staff as the association’s Executive Director, Operations. Frank is no stranger to MCAA. He was the Executive Director of the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association of Oregon for 12 years, followed by two years as the Executive Vice President of the M&SCA of Eastern Pennsylvania. During that time, he was also Chair of MCAA’s Association Executives Council. “I am personally excited to work with such a professional staff,” Frank said.
In his new role, Frank serves as Executive Director of the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF). He also focuses his attentions on MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) and Management Methods Committee.
Frank’s extensive experience in leadership development will serve him well in another aspect of his job, handling the human resources function for MCAA.
Frank and his wife, Colleen, have two sons and are expecting their first grandchild in January.
Please join us in saying thank you to the MCAA members who have given to the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) in 2020. Their support enables the JRGF to identify and work to solve the issues that confront the organized mechanical construction and service industry, challenges such as future workforce, productivity and technology.
Your peers supporting these vital efforts in 2020 are:
Arden Engineering Constructors, LLC
Binsky & Snyder, LLC
CCI Mechanical, Inc.
CFI Mechanical, Inc.
Cleveland Plumbing Industry Promotional and Education Fund
CPMCA
Dynamics Systems, Inc.
Eastern Iowa/Western Illinois MCA
Ferguson
Harrell-Fish, Inc.
Hughes Environmental Engineering, Inc.
John W Danforth Company
JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Services, Inc.
Kinetics Systems, Inc. – (Bill Bianco Scholarship)
MCA of Akron, Ohio, Inc.
MCA of Greater Springfield, Missouri
MCA of Indiana, Inc.
MCA of Kansas City
MCA of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.
MCA of Rockford, Inc.
MCA/MSCA of New York, Inc.
McCauley Mechanical Construction, Inc.
Mechanical Contracting Industry Fund of Cleveland
Michael F. Russo
Mid-Atlantic MCA
Nooter Construction Company
North Mechanical Contracting, Inc.
Piping and Service Industry Coalition
Poole & Kent Corporation
Service Fitters Industry Promotional Fund of New York
The John F. Gallagher Company
West Chester Mechanical Contractors
Western New York Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Masen Dinklage, a member of the MCAA Student Chapter at the University of Nebraska, is spending his third consecutive summer as a Project Management intern with The Waldinger Corporation. Through a variety of activities, he is gaining industry knowledge and building relationships that will help him succeed in his great future.
During his internship, Masen is learning about the process of submittals, RFIs, purchasing, commissioning and scheduling. “I have learned a lot about what goes on behind the scenes over the course of a construction project,” he said.
“I have learned during my internship that it is important to develop relationships with co-workers, vendors and contractors,” he said, adding “These relationships can help build technical knowledge, create a more open means of communication and provide an overall better environment for work.”
MCAA Student Chapter Experience
Masen, a Mechanical Engineering major, plans to graduate in December 2021. He has been a member of his MCAA Student Chapter, which is sponsored by the MCA of Omaha, Inc., since January 2018.
“The MCA-Omaha student chapter has provided excellent resources to help me grow and cultivate my leadership, communication and organization skills. The chapter has helped me develop valuable relationships with industry professionals, some of such relationships helping me earn my internship.”
Masen is building on those relationships by serving as this year’s fundraising chair for the MCA of Omaha, Inc. Wine Tasting Event, which is scheduled for November. His role involves collaborating with the MCA of Omaha, Inc. team to coordinate the event.
“I look forward to building a career in this industry and am excited to build relationships and also my technical knowledge in mechanical systems,” he said.
Start Your Search for Top Talent Today
Find student chapter members like Masen 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.
Arden Engineering Constructors, LLC, internships prepare students for careers in the construction industry. That guidance has paid off for both the company and three recent graduates who accepted full-time positions within the Arden Building Companies family of businesses. Congratulations to Natalie Mansson, Andrew Basile and Alex Appolonia on finding their great futures with Arden.
About Natalie
Natalie Mansson was hired in May 2020 as Arden Engineering Constructors, LLC’s newest Project Engineer. She interned for the company last winter.
She has had an interest in construction from an early age. “I knew construction would be a great career path for me when my family bought an old Cape house that needed a major renovation,” she said. “I would always ask the contractor, plumber, and electrician questions about their work and the different systems used.”
A recent graduate of Roger Williams University, Natalie studied Construction Management (CM). She grew to love the construction industry more during her time in school, so she decided to take another year to receive her master’s degree in CM.
“My experience at Arden so far has been incredible. I have been working in the estimating department, learning the different software the estimators use and completing various takeoffs. I have also worked with project managers, attended an on-site meeting, and did a site walk-through to see the incredible work Arden is doing.”
About Andrew
Andrew Basile was hired this May as a Controls Engineer with Earthwise Energy Technologies. Andrew is a graduate of Western New England University where he studied Mechanical Engineering.
“I chose mechanical engineering as my field of study because of my love to learn about the inner workings of everyday objects and systems and to be able to use that information, along with some creativity, to create a useful end product,” he said. “For my future in this field, I hope to find a specific application that I am passionate about so I can be invested in my projects and produce results I am proud of.”
Andrew, who interned for Arden during the past two summers recalls his internship experience fondly:
“My experience at Arden has been very informative, with the possibilities for work with a mechanical engineering degree, and the amount of information I can still learn. Working with Paul Carter, General Manager of Earthwise Energy Technologies has shown me the more technical, controls side of HVAC, while working with Tim Elliott, Director of Design & Engineering at Arden Engineering Constructors gave me a more physical understanding of the systems. With the combination of both experiences, I have obtained a more complete understanding of HVAC systems and every step taken to create a functioning system.”
About Alex
Alex Appolonia was recently hired as a Project Engineer on the Unique Metal Works, LLC team.
A University of Rhode Island (URI) graduate, Alex was a Civil Engineering major when he interned with Arden last winter. He worked under Arden Engineering Constructors, LLC Project Manager Rob Cote, and enjoyed on-site visits to the new URI College of Engineering building.
Alex Appolonia determines what size fan cover is needed for an exhaust fan at the Infinity Meat Solutions project.
He says, “I have been able to experience the precise detail and coordination it takes to complete a project of substantial caliber. My time here at Arden has given me hands-on experience in the field and shown me that to be a successful project manager or engineer one must be punctual, concise and transparent when coordinating with all the other trades from start to finish of every project.”
Alex is currently working on the Infinity Meat Solutions project, a new $100M, 200,000 sq. ft. meat-packaging facility in North Kingstown, RI. This is a joint project for Unique Metal Works, LLC, Arden Engineering Constructors, LLC, and Earthwise Energy Technologies.
MCAA is saddened by the loss of Robert T. Armistead, P.E., who served as our President in 2010. He died peacefully at his home on June 16, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. Our thoughts are with Susan, Robert, Kane, Bryan and the extended Armistead family during this difficult time. “Bob truly loved the MCAA and his time with everyone involved in the organization. He will be greatly missed,” said Timothy J. Brink, MCAA’s Chief Executive Officer.
In an announcement to MCA of New Jersey, Inc. members, Executive Director Marty Drobny said, “We will miss our friend much. His positive impact within the industry will live on forever.”
Bob was President of Armistead Mechanical, Inc., a fourth-generation mechanical contracting and engineering firm that predominantly serves the New Jersey and New York Hudson Valley areas. The company specializes in commercial and industrial plumbing, heating, air conditioning and process piping. Raised in the family business, Bob worked there over summers and school breaks, learned the trade in the field and later worked with the estimators and project managers in the office.
After college and Navy service, Bob returned to the family business, where under his leadership, Armistead Mechanical developed an impressive project portfolio and a staff that is known for excellent customer service.
When Bob brought his energetic style and understanding of the details of the industry to MCAA, his strong belief in educating students led to an invitation to serve on the MCAA Career Development Committee, where he tirelessly volunteered his time to aid in the development of programs and services for our industry’s future leaders. In fact, Bob was one of the committee’s longest serving members, acting as a judge during the final round of the annual Student Chapter Competition at many of our annual conventions, and helping to set the standard for the dynamic program it has become today.
A natural off-shoot of his service on the Career Development Committee, Bob’s passion for perpetuating the flow of talent into the industry also extended to his position on the National Board of the ACE Mentor Program that educates and mentors high school students about careers in the architecture, construction—including the building trades, and engineering. He also served the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation, now the John R. Gentille Foundation, which funds many of MCAA’s student chapter activities. He also served on the foundation’s Board of Trustees as well as on the MCAA Technology Committee.
On a personal note, Bob was blessed with a beautiful wife of over 50 years, Susan, and three sons, Robert, Kane, and Bryan, who work in the family business. In his spare time, Bob served on the Orange County Industrial Development Agency and was active with the Boy Scouts, winning the Orange County Boy Scouts’ Distinguished Citizen Award in October of 2009.
Due to the current national health crisis and continuing restrictions, funeral services and interment will take place privately, and a memorial event celebrating Robert’s life will be planned for a later date.
Friends are encouraged to share stories, photos, and memories of him with the family by sending letters to: The Armisteads at 6 Hilltop Drive in Goshen, NY 10924.
In lieu of sending flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the following organizations:
Murphy Company interns Jacob Reed and Morgan Hanley have been onsite project engineering interns for the University of Missouri-Columbia’s NextGen Precision Health Institute. The opportunity has given them a first-hand look at what it takes to build a job on their college campus.
About the Project
The company continues its work on the facility which supports a systemwide precision health initiative aimed at harnessing and supporting the research activities of its four universities and health system. The building will include lab space for current and new faculty, graduate students, clinicians and have collaborative spaces for work with industry partners.
The facility is the largest single project that the University of Missouri has ever undertaken. The project consists of a new 265,000 sq. ft. six story facility.
The Murphy Company team, in collaboration with their general contractor and trade partners, was hired on in a design-assist capacity completed the following extensive BIM and fabrication on this past year:
Identified and corrected 1,134 BIM clashes prior to installation
Fabricated 121,000 lbs. of ductwork and 65,000 lbs. of mechanical piping and racks
Installed the following:
7,600 Linear Feet (LF) of underground piping
22,500 MEP Trimble points based on BIM
41,700 LF of above ground plumbing and piping
3,4000 of LF of reverse osmosis (RO) piping
21,640 LF of copper process piping
Construction on the institute is expected to be completed in October 2021.
Both Jacob Reed and Morgan Hanley began their internships in Murphy Company’s St. Louis office this past spring semester.
About Jacob
Jacob is entering his senior year at the University of Missouri-Columbia, studying Mechanical Engineering. In the spring working 20-hour week, Jacob was able to see the project manager role in action by attending coordination meetings, daily site walks and reviewing construction drawings making him more familiar with the project layout. Since the spring Jacob has transition to a full-time intern this summer.
“Since I have transitioned to full-time for the summer, I feel that I am gaining valuable real-world experience without too much of an internship feel. My responsibilities now include reviewing submittals, tracking productivity, and the commissioning process of equipment. I have been able to soak in as much information as possible, ask plenty of questions about topics I did not fully understand, and have real responsibilities that add value to the work being completed here. I believe it is the perfect balance that is allowing me to apply my skills and develop new ones.”
Jacob looks forward to the rest of his summer internship and continue to learn from Murphy employees the importance of coordination, communication, and critical problem solving.
“I have now seen multiple times how project managers are able to take a problem in stride, communicate with co-workers to create a solution, and implement that solution in a timely manner. I am also looking forward to watching further completion of the NextGen Precision Health Institute. I find it very exciting that I get to see firsthand the construction of a multi-million-dollar research institute at my college.”
About Morgan
Morgan Hanley is a Junior at the University of Missouri-Columbia studying chemical engineering. In the spring Morgan was on-site at the NextGen facility and this summer is currently working in Murphy Company’s engineering department.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time so far with Murphy as it has allowed me to apply what I have learned in my coursework to practical, real-world scenarios. I have enjoyed being able to see two pieces of a bigger puzzle at work. Being on site of NextGen and then coming to the Engineering department has been really interesting because it has closed the loop between the drawings and plans I worked with at Mizzou to how those intricate details, sizings, and selections are determined during the design phase. It has been fascinating to observe the complementary aspects of both locations, and I am excited to learn even more during the rest of the summer.”
Start Your Search for Top Talent Today
Find student chapter members like Derrick 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.
