Organization: MCAA

Connect With the Latest Training from Victaulic and Reliance Worldwide Corporation at MCAA.org

The Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of MCAA’s website connects our contractor members with training opportunities available from the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new webinars and training opportunities across their product lines, services, solutions or web pages. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Victaulic
From one-hour seminars to full-day events, Victaulic University Continuing Education courses provide training on key industry concepts, including piping movement design, grooving and installation fundamentals, and gasket technology, as well as Victaulic HVAC and fire protection solutions. Request an instructor-led course or enroll in an online course today!

Learn More

Reliance Worldwide Corporation
The HoldRite training portal enables you to learn about our complete range of solutions, including secondary pipe supports, acoustic noise & vibration, firestopping systems, DWV testing, equipment supports & water heater accessories.

Learn More

Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

Be sure to visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area for all the latest offerings.

Learn More

Find the Latest from Omegaflex, Inc. and Manufacton in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

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

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Omegaflex Tracpipe ps2

Omegaflex, Inc.
TracPipe PSII double wall piping for Natural gas or LP powered backup generators for hospitals and communication centers.

Learn More

Manufacton
Manufacton is a SaaS (mobile/web) platform that helps construction firms plan, track and manage both prefabrication and regular material handling. The Manufacton platform helps optimize the end-to-end prefabrication process.

Learn More

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Introducing ASC Engineered Solutions™: Anvil and Smith-Cooper Are Embarking on a New Chapter

Anvil International, an MCAA member since 1987, merged with Smith-Cooper International in 2019. On March 29, 2021, the unified company relaunched as ASC Engineered Solutions. Under a single name and logo, ASC Engineered Solutions continues its focus on improving the customer experience every day and striving to deliver service excellence.

The evolved ASC Engineered Solutions brand reinforces a focus on what matters most to customers: quality. As a solutions provider, this quality is reflected in the company’s precision-engineered products, support and knowledge. The new brand communicates that the organization is a dependable strategic partner focused on its customers’ success. “Unifying the corporate brand enhances our presence in the market and reinforces that we are one company, drawing on the best of both legacy companies to create something greater than the sum of its parts,” said Jason Hild, chief executive officer of ASC Engineered Solutions. “It signals that we are committed to a way of doing business that extends beyond precision-engineered, category-leading products by leveraging technology, service and support to help our customers meet the challenges they face every day.”

The new logo, name and tagline brings together this message.

Logo

The crisp geometric shapes in the new company logo communicate precision and quality, while the interlocking lines represent the connection to customers—much like a handshake. The typeface is strong and structural while also being clean, easy to read and modern. The foundational black and grey references the company’s strength and commitment, while the vibrant blue captures the passion of its people.

Name

The ASC portion of the new name communicates unity and reinforces that the company is a single organization that combines the best of both legacy companies.

Additionally, “Engineered Solutions” expresses that the company is a problem solver. For ASC Engineered Solutions, a solution answers challenges and is how the company delivers value. This value includes leveraging technology to make doing business easier, ensuring product availability, offering the broadest range of products and services in the industry and being a dependable partner.

Tagline

Lastly, the company’s tagline “Building connections that last™” comes from the legacy Anvil business. It is a nod to that heritage and a guarantee that the newly united company will bring forward the elements its customers appreciate. The tagline captures the essence of the brand, referring to both its products as well as the strong and lasting relationships vital to the organization.

Together, these brand elements assure customers that ASC is a solutions provider, focused on delivering a quality experience, every time.

About ASC Engineered Solutions

ASC Engineered Solutions is defined by quality—in its products, services and support. With more than 1,400 employees, the company’s portfolio of precision-engineered piping support, valves and connections provides products to more than 4,000 customers across industries, such as mechanical, industrial, fire protection, oil and gas, and commercial and residential construction. Its portfolio of leading brands includes ABZ Valve®, AFCON®, Anvil®, Anvil EPS, Anvil Services, Basic-PSA, Beck®, Catawissa, Cooplet®, FlexHead®, FPPI®, Gruvlok®, J.B. Smith, Merit®, North Alabama Pipe, Quadrant®, SCI®, Sharpe®, SlideLOK®, SPF/ Anvil® and SprinkFLEX®. With headquarters in Commerce, CA, and Exeter, NH, ASC also has ISO 9001:2015 certified production facilities in PA, TN, IL, TX, AL, LA, KS, and RI. For more information, visit www.asc-es.com.

Has The Construction Industry Officially Passed the Tipping Point with Digital Integration?

For the last 10 years, there has been a steady rise in the digital integration of the industry. What started with 3D models built with AutoCAD and coordinated in NavisWorks has evolved to the point where digital tools are used on every part of the process and data is collected. That is not to say that prints and paper aren’t found on the jobsites anymore, but to get past the point where contractors are surviving and instead competing takes some level of digital tool use these days. MCAA’s 2021 MEP Innovation Conference is addressing all of these challenges with big and small ideas for every contractor.

Take a look at the building process in general. Estimates are put together with takeoff software and estimating software (including the industry’s favorite, Microsoft Excel). Projects are designed and coordinated with BIM software like Revit using models either developed in house or through services like Sysque. They can be spooled and fabricated using software that incorporates computer workstations and manufacturing equipment in the fabrication facilities. Projects are coordinated using BIM to field platforms that connects information from the design in the office to the build team in the field. They use robotic total stations to identify pinpoint accuracy of placement in the field and verify with 3D scanners or even augmented reality based Microsoft HoloLenses.

All that doesn’t take into account servicing and maintaining the buildings afterwards. More service contractors have gone completely paperless than construction contractors. They incorporate tools like dispatch, accounting, location, and time keeping all on single platforms and drive down their billing cycle to make better cash flow. Having customer data on building systems, contract details and billing information is vital for service contractors to perform their work. Digital integration drives their success almost as much as company culture and training. 

The MEP Innovation Conference is showcasing how contractors are transforming their companies by having them demonstrate their processes themselves. Every breakout session at the conference is being led by contractors that are sharing their own case studies and how they are integrating new solutions into their processes.

To learn more, visit the 2021 MEP Innovation Conference website.

REGISTER NOW

Sarah Galan Receives Ferguson-Women in the Mechanical Industry Scholarship

Sarah Galan, a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology, has been awarded one of the two Ferguson-Women in the Mechanical Industry Scholarships. Ferguson underwrites these scholarships, which recognize high-achieving female students working towards a degree relative to the mechanical industry.

Sarah landed a winter internship with EMCOR Services Northeast, where she assisted the sales engineers in conducting work on their projects, including estimating, takeoffs, bids, purchase orders, graphics, and controls. Sarah’s experience with EMCOR confirmed her interest in the mechanical contracting industry. “I love how I feel challenged every day. I am constantly learning something, and wake up every day excited to go to work. Everyone at EMCOR treats me as a valuable employee and trusts me with a large variety of responsibilities,” she said.

Acknowledging this field is extremely male dominated, which may intimidate many, Sarah uses it as motivation. Sarah shared, “I take it is a challenge. It challenges me as an individual to prove to myself and to those around me that I know what I am capable of achieving and I can be a valuable asset. I think it is incredible to see more and more women entering into professions such as this one and I hope that I can take this opportunity to inspire more women to enter this field. The notion that this is a job only for men is such a fleeting idea in people’s minds and I hope more women realize this and see that there is a place for them in this industry.”  

Women in the Mechanical Industry and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Sarah on this prestigious scholarship and thank Ferguson for their commitment to encouraging young women to be engaged in the industry.

Kimberly Sikkema Receives Ferguson-Women in the Mechanical Industry Scholarship

Kimberly Sikkema, a junior at Ferris State University, has been awarded one of the two Ferguson-Women in the Mechanical Industry Scholarships. Ferguson underwrites these scholarships, which recognize high-achieving female students working towards a degree relative to the mechanical industry.

Kimberly, who is earning her degree in HVAC/R, is the President of her student chapter, and will continue as the President throughout 2021. She has found herself on the dean’s list every semester and has maintained an impressive 3.95 GPA. Upon graduation, Kimberly looks forward to pursuing her career that she has worked so hard for, stating, “I look forward to seeing the wide variety of opportunities that are out there in the world for myself, as a woman in the HVAC/R industry. I look forward to making connections and networking with people from all around the world in the mechanical industry. Most of all, I look forward to expanding my knowledge by facing new obstacles every day, receiving more hands-on learning out in the field, as well as learning more from experienced, skilled veterans.”

Women in the Mechanical Industry and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Kimberly on this prestigious scholarship and thank Ferguson for their commitment to encouraging young women to be engaged in the industry.

Dr. Sherif Attallah Named MCAA’s 2020 Educator of the Year

The student chapter at Ball State University proudly nominated Dr. Sherif Attallah to be MCAA’s 2020 Educator of the Year because they believed he is more than qualified and deserving of this prestigious award, and MCAA’s Career Development Committee agreed. Here’s why.

Chapter Participation

Dr. Attallah played a crucial role in planning and participating in Ball State’s first annual Top Golf event. Dr. Attallah attends most of their chapter meetings, at which he always helps members with challenges they may be facing with their role in the competition. Dr. Attallah still holds several field trips for his various classes and the student chapter, often organizing and leading these numerous educational field trips himself.

Mentoring

Dr. Attallah’s connections within the industry help his students communicate with industry professionals who are willing to speak to their chapter. Whenever his students have a question about something that he does not know, Dr. Attallah puts them in contact with someone who does. When planning for their fundraiser, he was a significant contributor when trying to find participants; he used his network to reach out and get several participants involved. He did a phenomenal job with this being the chapter’s first annual Top Golf event, which they now plan to continue annually. In his teachings of the mechanical class at Ball State, Dr. Attallah has brought in several contractors that teach the class and sit with the team after talking to them about the mechanical industry.

Membership

Dr. Attallah is the professor for several introductory classes for the Ball State program. With this connection, he plays a crucial role in recruiting younger members for the chapter. Dr. Attallah also implements new and useful recruiting ideas, along with suggesting new members. Every year Dr. Attallah helps his student chapter come up with new activities for their chapter’s first call-out meeting for the school year. In the past, this event has been the deciding factor when recruiting new members to join their chapter and learn more about the mechanical contracting industry.

Student Internships

Dr. Attallah has helped several of the team members get in touch with industry professionals, which in turn leads to internships as well as full-time employment. The members have greatly benefited from his involvement with the mechanical internship program. With his teaching of the mechanical class, he gets to help students that are not in the chapter by letting them hear from the industry professionals that he brings in about internships and joining their chapter.

Employment

Last year two Ball State University student chapter members found full-time careers in the industry, one with North Mechanical and one with Bowen Engineering. He continues to lead his students towards the mechanical field every year.

Faculty Internships

Dr. Attallah has worked with HMH Contractors and, most recently, Kiewit during the summers. With HMH, he worked as an estimating engineer during the summer. In addition to helping HMH during a particularly busy time, he gained industry experience to bring back to the chapter and the mechanical class. During his time with Kiewit, he was a faculty scholar for their company and was a massive help over the summer.

Thank you for serving as an advisor, educator, and mentor to students, Dr. Attallah!

MMC Contractors Avoids Conflicts, Coordinates Processes With Ferguson VDC

As MMC Contractors embarked on building a large central utility plant for a globally recognized corporation in the lower Midwest, Ferguson’s new virtual design and construction (VDC) department became a pivotal partner, identifying potential pitfalls and offering cost-effective solutions for the job. Ferguson is a sponsor of MCAA’s 2021 Virtual Education Conference.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Congratulations to the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Award Winners for 2020

MCAA and long-time partner in safety CNA congratulate the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Award winners for 2020. MCAA President Brian Helm presented the awards during the closing session of the association’s 2021 Virtual Education Conference on March 25, 2021. This year’s winners exhibited exceptional safety leadership, advanced safety cultures, effective leading indicators of safety performance, and innovative safety initiatives in 2020. Watch for articles highlighting each winner’s outstanding safety performance in the coming weeks.

Congratulations from MCAA and CNA to:

  • W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc.
  • Icon Mechanical
  • Mall City Mechanical
  • Matrix HG, Inc.
  • Southwest Town Mechanical

Beyond the Classroom Video Series: Participation–The Key to Growth

Adam Crnkovich is currently a Project Manager at the Ray Martin Company and a previous member of the University of Nebraska- Lincoln student chapter. As a student, Adam really enjoyed participating in MCAA’s Student Chapter Competition as it gave him incredible exposure to technical aspects that contractors work on, as well as played a huge role in his understanding of the industry as a whole. 

Additionally, during his time in his student chapter, Adam actively attended MCAA GreatFutures Forums and MCAA Annual Conventions which he says not only helped him continue to learn about the industry and network, but ultimately helped him grow further into his field and as a person. Adam shared participating in these opportunities “gave me a lot more experience that not only understand if this is something I wanted to pursue, but also how I could be better in the industry and grow as a person and career in general.”

Adam loves that the mechanical contracting industry is not only about building things, but building people and relationships, something he has personally benefited from.

MCAA’s Virtual Education Conference Delivered Education & Awards, Welcomed New Leaders

MCAA’s first Virtual Education Conference from March 22-25, 2021 featured top quality education seminars and an interactive exhibit, honored award winners, thanked retiring Board members and welcomed new leaders.  

Top Quality Education & An Interactive Exhibit 

Education sessions showcased topics from emerging trends to driving business growth and identifying potentially critical issues. Participants heard from United Association General President Mark McManus and MCAA President Brian Helm about the importance of our labor and management relationship, and how we can work together toward a meaningful and lasting labor/management partnership. 

The latest technology systems and trends were discussed, along with best practices for adapting to them. Attendees learned how to grow a strong and profitable service business, how to work better with a multi-generational workforce, and how to reduce healthcare costs, increase productivity and improve company culture and the bottom line. 

An interactive exhibit featured presentations by the conference sponsors with plenty of time for questions and answers. 

Congratulations, Award & Scholarship Winners! 

The Closing General Session provided an opportunity to celebrate excellence and offer congratulations to award winners. 

CNA/MCAA Safety Excellence Awards 

MCAA President Brian Helm recognized the MCAA member firms that achieved the highest level of safety excellence last year saying, “There is nothing more important to us than the safety and health of the people on our job sites and in our companies, especially this past year.” 

The winners were: 

  • W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc. 
  • Icon Mechanical 
  • Mall City Mechanical  
  • Matrix HG, Inc. 
  • Southwest Town Mechanical 

To be eligible to win a CNA/MCAA Safety Excellence Award, a company has to submit a written application describing its safety and health program in 2020 and why it believes it deserves the award, and an innovation that helped it achieve a high degree of safety excellence last year. Companies are divided into five categories by number of hours worked, and a winner is chosen in each category. 

MILWAUKEE TOOL-MCAA Safety Professional of the Year Award 

MILWAUKEE TOOL Senior Vice President Scott Teson presented the MILWAUKEE TOOL-MCAA Safety Professional of the Year Award to Cheryl Wiese, Safety Director of Modern Companies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He noted that Cheryl was a key stakeholder in her company’s ability to overcome the many challenges COVID-19 presented, from understanding the science to implementing safe return-to-work protocols and ensuring her team had the proper PPE to return to work and do their jobs safely. 

John R. Gentille Foundation Scholarships 

Mark Rogers, President of the newly renamed John R. Gentille Foundation, announced the recipients of the John R. Gentille Foundation Scholarships. He noted that the students receiving scholarships were selected for their academic performance, leadership skills, interest in developing a career in the mechanical industry, work ethic, and technical abilities. 

The Foster J. McCarl, Jr. Memorial Scholarship 

Ahmed Seck of the University of Maryland College Park received a $5,000 scholarship check in memory of Foster McCarl, Jr., without whose vision there would be no foundation. McCarl’s Inc. (Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania) is the scholarship sponsor. 

The William A. Bianco, Jr. Memorial Scholarship 

Luke Bennett of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln received a $5,000 scholarship check in memory of the foundation’s former President and MCAA Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recipient William A. “Bill” Bianco, Jr. The scholarship is sponsored by Kinetics of Fremont, California. 

The Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship

Masen Dinklage of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln received a scholarship check for $5,000 in honor of the Reilly family, honoring Wayne Reilly, Emmitt Reilly and Patrick Reilly. John W. Danforth Company in Tonawanda, New York, is the scholarship’s sponsor. 

The Alan O’Shea Memorial Scholarship 

Parker Scott Filius of Purdue University and Jakob Cimino of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln each received a $2,500 scholarship check in honor of Alan O’Shea. MCA of New Jersey is the scholarship’s sponsor. 

FERGUSON – Women in the Mechanical Industry Scholarship

Kimberly Sikkema of Ferris State University and Sarah Galan of Wentworth Institute of Technology each received a $5,000 scholarship, sponsored by Ferguson, for worthy female students invested in career in the mechanical contracting industry. 

Josam Endowed Scholarship

Hailey Brennan of the University of Maryland, College Park received a $2,500 scholarship underwritten by the Josam Company. This scholarship category was added last year and offers established a $2,500 annual scholarship for students pursuing a degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering or a similar field. Provided that all qualifications are met each year, the recipients will receive the scholarship in their sophomore, junior AND senior years. 

New Student Chapter Chartered

MCAA welcomed its newest student chapter by granting a charter to Utica College in Utica, New York. The new chapter is sponsored by The Mechanical Contractors Association of the Capital District. 

Educator of the Year 

Dr. Sherif Attallah of Ball State University was recognized as the Educator of the Year based on his mentoring, industry knowledge, involvement, and active participation in MCAA’s Student Chapter program activities. In addition to a trophy, he received a check for $5,000. 

Student Chapter of the Year 

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln was selected as this year’s Student Chapter of the Year. The Career Development Committee chose the winner after evaluating how well the chapter promotes an understanding of the mechanical industry and the career opportunities we offer. They received a check for $3,000. 

MCAA Student Chapter Competition 

Fairleigh Dickinson University won the top prize of $10,000 and a trophy for their work on this year’s Student Chapter Competition project, which required student chapters to act as the prime contractor on the renovation project to the historic University of Pennsylvania Museum.  

Virginia Tech Blacksburg Campus was the runner-up team, placing second and receiving a trophy and check for $5,000. 

Kansas State University and Missouri State University rounded out the final four. Each of these finalists received $2,500. 

Six additional teams that just missed the final four were recognized with checks for $1,000. They are, in alphabetical order: 

  • Ball State University 
  • Binghamton University 
  • McMaster University 
  • Purdue University 
  • University of Maryland College Park 
  • The University of Missouri Columbia 

Thank You to Retiring Board of Directors Members 

President Helm expressed MCAA’s thanks to retiring Board members, saying, “We appreciate all their time and talents, and they will certainly be missed on the Board. We thank you for your service as a member of the MCAA Board of Directors!” 

Troy Aichele 
Nashville, Tennessee 

Gary Grandchamp 
Kirlin Group 
Rockville, Maryland 

Ken Harbour 
Cleveland Mechanical Services 
Atlanta, Georgia 

Bob Hightower 
Apollo Mechanical Contractors 
Kennewick, Washington 

Bill Hughes 
MILWAUKEE TOOL 
Mickelton, New Jersey 

Mike Brandt 
Immediate Past President, MCAA 
Smith and Oby Company 
Walton Hills, Ohio 

Welcome, New Leaders 

President Helm shared some final words before passing the gavel to MCAA’s 2021 President, Armand Kilijian. President Kilijian introduced the Executive Committee and new Board members who will lead the association in the coming year.  

Executive Committee 

Immediate Past President 
Brian Helm 
The Helm Group 

President-Elect 
Bob Bolton 
Arden Building Companies 

Senior Vice President and Treasurer 
Robert Beck 
John W. Danforth Company 

Vice President and Assistant Treasurer 
Rick Gopffarth 
Dynamic Systems 

New Board Members 

Each of the following has been elected to a three-year term on MCAA’s Board of Directors. 

  • Shaabini Alford, Murray Company 
  • John Dineen, Postler & Jaekle Corporation 
  • Jim Gaffney, Goshen Mechanical 
  • John Marlow, US Engineering Construction 
  • Parthiv Amin, SLOAN 

President Kilijian congratulated the new Board members before delivering his first address to the association as its president, saying: 

“I look forward to continued collaboration and innovation as we see what the pandemic throws at us next and what our “next normal” will look like. There has never been a better time to be an MCAA member.” 

Armand Kilijian, MCAA President

Resource Highlight: MCAA BIM & Prefabrication Resources

Each week, MCAA will highlight one or more of the educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership. This week, we focus on two SmartMarket reports developed in partnership Dodge Data & Analytics. The reports on BIM and prefabrication will help contractors understand the benefits, challenges and opportunities presented by these technologies.

In his remarks at MCAA’s Virtual Education Conference, MCAA President Armand Kilijian identified fabrication of duct, pipe, and building systems as one example of a technology that, once implemented in a company’s culture, can reap yearly benefits. These reports provide the legwork needed to get started with or expand use of both BIM and prefabrication.

You Might Also Like These Related Resources

If you have questions about MCAA’s Innovative Technologies Initiative, which developed these resources, please contact Sean McGuire.

Mike Star Among Contractors Sharing Opportunities & Challenges for 2021 in ACHR News

MSCA Board of Managers Chair Mike Star is among the contractors who spoke with ACHR News about the opportunities and challenges they expect to see in 2021. He credits “having the MSCA family for brainstorming and a sounding board” with helping his company make it through the COVID-19 pandemic. In the year ahead, he expects to see an increase in major renovations, IAQ products and upgraded and remote controls.

Saladino Mechanical Cuts Down Time, Costs With Uponor’s PEX Products

Saladino Mechanical of Kansas City, MO, won the bid for a college dorm renovation by specifying Uponor’s PEX piping rather than more costly copper—a move that saved the contractor time and money during installation. The dorm’s new plumbing system is also more efficient, saving energy and conserving water. Uponor is a sponsor of MCAA’s 2021 Virtual Education Conference.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Lockout/Tagout Safety Resources

Each week, MCAA will highlight one or more of the educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership. This week, we focus on MCAA’s lockout/tagout safety resources, which can help keep workers safe when they work with and around stored energy.

MCAA has received several recent inquiries about lockout/tagout safety procedures for various mechanical construction and service applications. Lockout/tagout refers to a process for working safely with and around stored energy that can be hazardous to our workers if appropriate protective measures are not implemented and performed correctly. Among other applications, lockout/tagout applies to safe pressure testing operations, safe line breaking, and working safely around energized electrical equipment.

MCAA’s Lockout/Tagout Safety Resources Include

You Might Also Like These Related Resources

Safety resources for safe pressure testing, which address lockout/tagout:

Safety resources for safe line breaking:

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Pete Chaney.

Highlighting NEI Instructor Kevin Dougherty

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Kevin Dougherty, who provides tangible solutions to today’s problems in an easy-to-listen-to style.

Kevin has been speaking to the construction industry for over 30 years, including presentations for MCAA, MSCA, the UA and other trade associations. His work and education experience enable him to relate to today’s problems and provide tangible solutions in an easy-to-listen-to style. Kevin’s ability to entertain audiences and hold their interest while getting his message across consistently makes him one of the industry’s top speaking and training talents.

His Service Training Series (STS) Seminars for Service are designed for service professionals to enhance the company’s strength in providing quality service to their customers. The series covers fundamental principles of effective leadership and communication, the value of customer service and more.

Like our other NEI instructors, Kevin brings his unique blend of industry and teaching experience to virtual courses, a new NEI offering. Providing top notch, accessible education for everyone in your organization is what the MCAA’s NEI is all about! Even during the COVID-19 era. Visit the NEI website for more information about these seminars and a full list of the NEI courses available to MCAA members.

Connect With the Latest Training from SLOAN and LAARS, a Bradford White Company at MCAA.org

The Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of MCAA’s website connects our contractor members with training opportunities available from the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new webinars and training opportunities across their product lines, services, solutions or web pages. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

SLOAN
There are many power supply options available for Sloan touch-free sensor faucets. Learn how to evaluate these choices and determine which power option choice may be best for your facility.

Learn More

LAARS, a Bradford White Company
Laars Academy is our commitment to ensure our industry professionals have the training and knowledge needed to stay on top. Watch a recorded training session on Laars MagnaTherm FT at www.laars.com.

Learn More

Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

Be sure to visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area for all the latest offerings.

Learn More

2021 WiMI Conference Update

We have regrettably made the decision to reschedule the 2021 WiMI Conference, originally planned for June 21-23, 2021 at the JW Marriott Austin, to June 2022. We tried our best to make WiMI2021 happen, but we were just not powerful enough to fight a pandemic. Even though the state of Texas may be open, there are still some very strict gathering restrictions in place in Austin, TX and too much uncertainly remains as to what it will be like in June. Safety remains our highest priority. So mark your calendars for June 6–8, 2022 at the JW Marriott Austin when, hopefully, we will be able to meet, learn, connect, catch up, gather, kick up our heels and hug for real as we gather together as the amazing women of MCAA/MSCA.

MEP Innovation Conference Presents Tools to Widen Profit Margin, Lessen Risk

Low margins in the construction business can cause contractors to be one bad job away from going bankrupt. The need for every project to go well can cause many contractors to avoid risk in adopting changes in their process through new software implementations or new tool integrations. It is taking these chances to innovate that are the exact solution to alleviate that risk.

Innovation brings productivity gains that can aggregate. No single solution is going to get you from a 5% to a 15% profit margin, but every innovation adds productivity gain. The more your company leans into innovation and adopts processes or tools that bring higher productivity, the wider that profit margin becomes. The window shifts towards the black. Contractors that stack a set of productivity innovations in their companies are able to move their expected profit margin so that they have less bad jobs, and if when they do go bad, they hurt a lot less. It also means that when jobs go well, they tend to come out better. 

At the MCAA 2021 MEP Innovation Conference, every session is geared towards learning from contractors that are showcasing their productivity solutions. All 30+ breakouts are led by MEP contractors, walking attendees through their processes and sharing their stories of setbacks, successes and overcoming roadblocks. 

A consistent theme throughout will be how small improvements made a difference in productivity or direct profitability. Learn how contractors have used these productivity gains to expand their business, improve customer service, hire better talent and develop their labor. 

The MCAA 2021 MEP Innovation Conference is your opportunity to learn directly from some of the best in the industry, from the comfort of your own office. Take the time to reinvest in yourself and your company. For more information, visit us online at the conference website.

REGISTER NOW

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.