Organization: MCAA

Don’t Miss Coffee with Koontz Episode 7: The Role of the Local Affiliated Association – Partnership Through Service

Episode 7: The Role of the Regional Association – Partnership Through Service
Friday, July 17, 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

If you joined us for Episode 5 you will have heard MCAA CEO Tim Brink mention his good friend Chip Martin, as Tim discussed his west coast days and early involvement with the California Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association. This week, we are fortunate enough to be joined by Chip himself, Executive Director of the CPMCA. As a veteran Local Association Executive, Chip has for many years served CPMCA membership through a variety of initiatives, from mechanical education to recruitment to labor relations. Tune in to hear Chip and John chat about the role of a regional association in the mechanical community, and how they dedicate themselves to the continued betterment of the industry.

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Neptune Plumbing & Heating Co. Named a Top Workplace

MCAA Member Neptune Plumbing & Heating Co. has been named a Top Workplace by cleveland.com and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. This is the company’s first year on the list, which includes a record 175 honorees. Neptune is the only full-service plumbing company among them. Company co-Presidents Adam and Michael Wallenstein credit the company’s talent and culture for earning the recognition.

Neptune Plumbing relies on its talented, seasoned employees and strong corporate culture to create a work environment that doesn’t follow traditional molds.

By combining tradesmen best practices with cutting-edge technology for the field, Neptune Plumbing created a working environment – and employee experience – that uses plumbing innovations to build employee engagement, customer trust, and a professional advantage in a competitive market.

“This recognition is first and foremost because of our employees. Ever since this company started in my grandparents’ basement, we have values that we hoped our employees not only embraced, but believed in. Being named a Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio validates that,” said Neptune co-President Adam Wallenstein.

Neptune has served its community for over 60 years. The company uses plumbing innovation like CAD-design plumbing systems to meet the needs of its customers.

“I believe the way we embrace industry trends deserves a little bit of credit toward us making the list too. To have a 24/7 service department is crucial to our business. Having a Prefabrication Division makes us efficient when those calls come, but also gives our employees an added sense of pride in their work. Not a lot of businesses in our sector do what we do, the way we do it,” Wallenstein said.

“Our TRIDENT Core Values have shown through for quite some time now. This recognition – and the only one from the plumbing sector on the list – is proof our people are some of the best in the trade. And they prove it every single day with their attitudes, effort and integrity,” said Neptune co-President Michael Wallenstein.

Through values that have lasted three generations and employee opportunities to heighten capabilities in the industry, the Neptune Plumbing presidents credit the company’s talent and culture for making the list.

Meet our WiMI Mentors/Mentees

 MCAA’s WiMI Committee recently launched a Mentor Program. Mentors and mentees signed-up to be a part of this program in hopes of gaining new perspectives on the industry, building connections, developing a support network, and more. Committee members recently took some time to speak with mentees and mentors participating in the program to find out how things are going. Meet our first pair, Hannah and Kristin! 

Hannah Leslie, an Assistant Project Manager at The Brandt Companies in Carrollton, Texas enrolled in the program as a mentee, hoping to be paired with a mentor who could share the do’s and don’ts of business, tips and tricks to success in the industry, and overall life advice. Little did Hannah know she would be paired with her perfect match! 

Kristin Blundell, a Senior Preconstruction Manager at U.S. Engineering in Westminster, Colorado was recommended to be a mentor in this program from a fellow colleague, a young Preconstruction Engineer who had previously been mentored by Kristin herself. Kristin, who has always taken young professionals under her wing, has proven to be the ideal mentor. 

Hannah and Kristin first connected at the beginning of this year. Their bond formed very naturally during their first phone call. Hannah had entered this program with a small handful of personal and professional goals she hoped her mentor would guide her in working towards. Through open conversations, Kristin helped Hannah expand her goals and identify her strengths to be successful. Also, from the very beginning, Kristin has reminded Hannah of valuable life lessons – stay true to herself, believe in hard work, and believe in herself. 

Kristin’s advice may seem simple, but it has been incredibly empowering for Hannah. Hannah, who is one of two females comprising a close-knit team of 10 individuals in her job site office, has recognized qualities in herself during the course of the mentorship that she now feels empowered to share with the team. Hannah has learned from Kristin to take pride in being a contributing female on the team. 

While Hannah and Kristin have a relaxed approach to their communication structure, they make sure to have a phone conversation at least once a month, every month. They also take comfort in just knowing the other is there for them anytime. An unexpected benefit the current pandemic has provided for both, is knowing they have a contact in a different part of the country to talk through how their respective companies have worked through these challenging times and implemented new work practices. 

With several hundred miles between them, with Hannah in Texas and Kristin in Colorado, they are bummed they cannot meet for an occasional cup of coffee or happy hour drink. However, they do look forward to the day they can meet in person, hopefully at MCAA’s WiMI Conference next June, if not sooner! 

For more information visit the Women in the Mechanical Industry Initiative Page.

McElroy’s Inc. Intern Receives MCAA Internship Grant

McElroy’s Inc., an MCA of Kansas City member, presented Parker Beal with an MCAA Internship Grant at the start of his 2020 summer internship. The grant is funded by the John R. Gentille Foundation. Parker said, “This grant will help me continue to fund my college degree and expenses. I see this not only as a great learning opportunity, but also as a motivation to tell other interns in the future about what I have learned and experienced in the mechanical industry.”

This is Parker’s third consecutive internship with McElroy’s Inc. The Architectural Engineering student has a particular interest in MEP. After he graduates from the University of Kansas in the spring of 2022, he intends to pursue a master’s degree in Business Administration.

This summer, Parker is using BIM software and other programs to aid in design and load calculations for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems in both commercial and industrial buildings. He will be shadowing Vice President Wade Jueneman, head of commercial construction for McElroy’s Inc.

“McElroy’s has given me valuable opportunities to help further my understanding and knowledge in the mechanical industry,” Parker said of his experiences. “I’m looking forward to developing my skills to transform ideas into design solutions and then see my work in action.”

About the MCAA Internship Grants

Having MCAA interns working at member companies is a win-win for the mechanical contracting industry. Employers get top talent and build a pipeline of future employees. Students gain experience, create connections, develop skills and further their interest in mechanical contracting. In paying the student instead of the employer, MCAA’s goal is to increase the overall number of interns and drive the overall number of talented employees accepting full-time positions with MCAA members after graduation.

How the Grant Application Process Works

The MCAA member company will first ensure a prospective intern is in good standing at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or technical school. While MCAA encourages its members to give priority to students from the MCAA Student Chapter Program, this is not a requirement to receive a grant.

Each MCAA member company can submit up to two internship grant applications per year. Once an application is reviewed and accepted, MCAA will send a $500 gift card to the member company so it can present the Gift Card to the student at the start of their internship.

MCAA will follow-up with each company and intern to ensure the process and overall internship was successful.

Start Your Search for Top Talent Today

MCAAGreatFutures.org gives members 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.

Not finding a match? Try reaching out to our 60 MCAA Student Chapters. The chapter advisors are a great resource to help find the right person. And, MCAA members have exclusive access to post job openings on our job board.

Help build our industry’s GreatFuture – apply for a grant!

A PAC Update from MCAA Government Affairs Committee Chairman, Jim Gaffney

In March, as a majority of the country slowed down, the MCAA Government Affairs Committee continued to work tirelessly meeting with countless Congressional and Senate office’s remotely to push our agenda forward. The committee has been working on COVID-19 cost increases on Federal projects, change orders in the NDAA, pension issues, and the PBGC just to mention a few.

What has helped the committee through this period has been PAC donations. The reality we face during today’s political time is the need for donations. MCAA’s PAC fund has been hit hard as many political fundraisers have been cancelled and political leaders have requested help.

Today, we ask for your help.

I, Jim Gaffney, am making a donation to the MCAA PAC fund, and have asked the M&SCA of Eastern PA to match my donation. If each association and member contractor could make a donation to the PAC we can continue to fight for the political needs of our association. I know times are hard for many, but please realize the organizations against our issues are not letting up and many have deep pockets. For those who have and continue to support the PAC, I want to personally thank you for your help. The PAC makes a difference for all of us and our industry.

MCAA’s 2020 advocacy efforts need your help. Donate to the MCAA PAC, a critical factor to our success in moving forward legislation that positively affects your business.

(Note: In order to comply with campaign finance laws, you will need to complete a solicitation authorization form before making a contribution. Find additional details and both the solicitation authorization and contribution forms via the button below.)

Contribute

Withum COVID-19 Bill Update – 7/7/2020

Main Street Lending Program is Now Open:  The MSLP has been “baking” for over 3 months and is finally ready for primetime.  Withum has a new article with more details on terms and eligibility here.  The program has garnered some controversy as some have taken the view that it was overly restrictive and not borrower friendly.  Some banks have also indicated they will not participate in the program.  That said, it is now available to borrowers and can be a new source of working capital. 

Reminder Section:  (what should I be doing):

  • Talk to your payroll company about claiming the employer payroll tax deferral and employee retention credits (ERC) that were made available in the CARES Act.
  • Talk to your payroll company about claiming the qualified sick/family leave refundable tax credits (from FFCRA, passed prior to the CARES Act).
  • Consider speaking with your lender to discuss changes to terms of existing debt facilities.
  • If you have already received a PPP loan, start forecasting how you intend to spend the funds and how you can qualify for the highest amount of loan forgiveness possible.  If you are not forecasting 100% loan forgiveness, then most likely you should seek assistance regarding your particular situation.  Withum believes the vast majority of borrowers should expect and plan to receive 100% loan forgiveness.

Webinar #25: Harassment & Respect in the Workplace – Jon Landesman & Dan Fierstein

All contractors must know how to respond to harassment allegations and how to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all employees. In this fast-paced and interactive webinar, Cohen Seglias Labor & Employment co-chair Jonathan Landesman shares advice on handling harassment issues in the workplace utilizing real-life examples. Landesman also reviews how to encourage and enforce appropriate workplace culture, establish a confidential, multichannel complaint procedure, and respond to and investigate complaints. Jon is joined by his colleague, Dan Fierstein, who is an associate in the Cohen Seglias Construction practice group.

Additional Resources:

This webinar was previously recorded July 21, 2020.

Register for Coffee with Koontz Episode 6: Leading Growth – Pioneering Expansion in Pawtucket

Episode 6: Leading Growth – Pioneering Expansion in Pawtucket
Friday, July 10 at 2:00 p.m. EDT

As CEO and President of Arden Building Companies, LLC, Robert Bolton wears many hats. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say he oversees many hats; Arden Building Companies is the parent company of several New England contracting and engineering firms that collectively offer mechanical construction, design, and service in higher education, healthcare, manufacturing, industrial, and power markets… not to mention electrical design/construction and co-generation ‘green’ energy services! And Bob’s leadership doesn’t stop at the regional level – as a National Board member and MCAA’s Senior Vice President/Treasurer, he provides association guidance and oversight, and is dedicated to developing alliances with UA partners that help us grow the industry together. Join us as Bob shares insights borne of a career based on collaborations, both within and beyond the traditional scope of mechanical contracting.

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7/6 Alston & Bird Coronavirus Flash Update

Alston & Bird have released their July 6 COVID-19 update, including the latest news on emergency funding, administrative and regulatory actions, workplace and home issues, and many other topics, as well as to links to all their past updates.

Withum COVID-19 Bill Update – 7/2/2020

New PPP Bill Passed by House and Senate:  The Bill that was introduced and passed by the Senate on Tuesday, June 30 has now been passed by the House and is headed to the President’s desk for signature.  This Bill extends the application deadline for the PPP an additional 5 weeks (recall that the deadline was June 30, 2020 and they still had about $130 billion in available funds).  It is unclear how valuable this additional time will be since most businesses that wanted funds have already received them.

New Stimulus Package in the Works:  Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told a House panel that the administration would support a new stimulus package if it was put forward. He also indicated that he is in discussions with the Senate about revising the PPP to provide additional support to hard hit industries such as restaurants, hotels, etc.  We are not sure yet how the P4 Bill that was passed by the House (which allows businesses to obtain a second PPP loan under certain circumstances) will fare if the Senate decides to take it up, but there appears to be bipartisan support to find a solution.

Reminder Section:  (what should I be doing):

  • Talk to your payroll company about claiming the payroll tax deferrals and employee retention credits that were made available in the CARES Act.
  • Talk to your payroll company about claiming the qualified sick/family leave refundable tax credits (from FFCRA, passed prior to the CAREs Act).
  • Consider speaking with your lender to discuss changes to terms of existing debt facilities.
  • If you have already received a PPP loan, start forecasting how you intend to spend the funds and how you can qualify for the highest amount of loan forgiveness possible. If you are not forecasting 100% loan forgiveness, then most likely you should seek assistance regarding your particular situation. Withum believes the vast majority of borrowers should expect and plan to receive 100% loan forgiveness.

Withum COVID-19 Bill Update – 7/1/2020

New PPP Bill Introduced in the Senate:  On Tuesday, June 30th, the Senate passed a bill which extends the application deadline for the PPP an additional 5 weeks (recall that the deadline was June 30th and they still had about $130 billion in available funds).  The bill still needs to go through the House and would need to be signed by the President to be passed into law.  It is unclear how valuable this additional time will be as most believe that those businesses who wanted funds have already received them.

When Will Banks Accept Applications?:  Many have inquired regarding when they can apply for forgiveness and when banks will accept applications.  Withum has heard that one bank has reached out to its clients to inform them that if they received their PPP loan in April, the bank will accept a forgiveness application in August.  If the loan was received after April, the date the bank will accept the application is TBD.  This is of course just one bank, but they have generally seen that banks are not in a position to accept applications currently and few have been explicit in how they will manage the process.  They also have not seen any mechanism for a borrower to “declare” that they want to keep their eight-week covered period if they want to.  At this point, borrowers will just have to be patient, they do not believe that there are any proactive steps required on the borrowers side right now other than being in consistent contact with their lender on the process.

Status of the P4 Bill:  The P4 bill that was introduced by the House two weeks ago has not moved since it first came into play.  This bill would allow certain borrowers to obtain a second PPP loan if they meet certain criteria (less than 100 employees, 50%+ reduction in revenue).  There is not much information on the probability of this passing or how it will interplay with the PPP extension bill noted above. 

Main Street Lending Programs:  Withum reported on the general parameters of the MSLPs previously, at this point the program is still not available to the public.  Anecdotally there have been mixed reviews from banks, many of which have indicated that they do not intend to participate in the program. 

New FAQs:  It has been rumored for several weeks that a multitude of new FAQs are coming out in the near future to cover current open questions and to provide clarification.  Withum believes this is correct but do not have insight as to when they are coming, it could be as soon as this week. 

Reminder Section:  (what should I be doing):

  • Talk to your payroll company about claiming the payroll tax deferrals and employee retention credits that were made available in the CARES Act.
  • Talk to your payroll company about claiming the qualified sick/family leave refundable tax credits (from FFCRA, passed prior to the CAREs Act).
  • Consider speaking with your lender to discuss changes to terms of existing debt facilities.
  • If you have already received a PPP loan, start forecasting how you intend to spend the funds and how you can qualify for the highest amount of loan forgiveness possible. If you are not forecasting 100% loan forgiveness, then most likely you should seek assistance regarding your particular situation. Withum believes the vast majority of borrowers should expect and plan to receive 100% loan forgiveness.

Beyond the Classroom: Let’s Get Down to Business

In this month’s Beyond the Classroom, meet University of Nebraska senior, Ali Brown. She is an MCAA Student Chapter member and current intern for The Waldinger Corporation. Ali is the 2020 Women in the Mechanical Industry – Ferguson Scholarship recipient. You can read Ali’s profile HERE.

Ali is earning her degree in Business Administration & Human Resources. In this video, Ali shares her perspective on entering the mechanical contracting industry and emphasizes the importance of business and human resources.

Upcoming Beyond the Classroom videos will showcase how MCAA student chapter members and MCAA members alike are benefiting from the program. They will also share the opportunities available to students who choose careers in the mechanical industry.

IRS Announces Additional Guidance for Coronavirus-Related Distributions and Loans

The IRS has released Notice 2020-50, which offers added guidance and relief for retirement plan participants taking pandemic-related distributions and loans under the CARES Act. Notice 2020-50 expands the definition of qualified individuals under the Act and provides guidance regarding coronavirus-related distributions and loans. Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C. have prepared a summary outlining the details, including the criteria for eligibility.

Marelich Mechanical Company, Inc. Offers Career Opportunities for Chico State Student Chapter Members

Marelich Mechanical Company, Inc. employs summer interns and new-hire project engineers from Northern California MCA student chapter programs. Chad Johnston, VP of Operations said, “Even with the circumstances we were still able to bring aboard seven summer intern and new-hire project engineers. We provide them a job opportunity, and most importantly give them experience in the plumbing and mechanical sector of the construction industry.”

Chad Johnston shares an overview of Marelich Mechanical’s onboarding process for interns and full-time hires:

New hires get the chance to spend a day in the main office meeting different department staff: Human Resources, IT, Safety, Purchasing, Estimating, Detailing, Design and Operations.  The following days are typically spent riding around with the plumbing, piping, and sheet metal superintendents walking through various projects and fabrication shops to experience all aspects of Marelich operations beyond their specific project assignment.

This summer, due to the impacts of COVID-19, the onboarding process was drastically modified. All new hires were brought into a mostly vacant office, meeting only a few essential individuals allowed in the office, with face masks used and social distancing maintained. No welcome aboard handshakes, no superintendent ride-along, no touring of multiple jobsites, and no group Marelich camping and rafting trip that have been done in past years.  

Chad says, “Yes, things are different this year. For any new hire to any company right now, the empty offices, teams working remotely, and the mandated social distancing makes our organizations feel different than they did just a few months ago. Fortunately, we were able to continue our process of giving students of our Nor Cal MCA Student Chapters schools the opportunity for a career and experience in the industry.”

Below are just a few of the tasks interns and new-hires will be performing this summer:

  • Reading and understanding project plans and specifications
  • Writing, submitting, tracking, and resolving RFI’s 
  • Shop drawing submittals and tracking
  • Processing equipment and material submittals and structural anchorage packages       
  • Managing equipment and material procurement and their releases to meet the project schedule
  • Attending, documenting, and follow up for on-site meetings
  • Developing labor loaded schedules; Tracking installed quantities and labor tracking 
  • Estimating, tracking and managing change orders 
  • Coordinating design changes with subcontractors & vendors 
  • QA/QC process follow-up

Chico State Interns

Marelich currently has three MCAA Student Chapter members of California State University, Chico interning this summer including, mechanical engineering major, Jimmie Whitton and construction management majors, Erich Anderson and Wyatt Hattich.

Wyatt Hattich is the retuning MCAA Student Chapter Vice President at Chico State. This summer, Wyatt is working on the HVAC in a luxury 19-story apartment building, Trinity Phase IV, in San Francisco. The largest Whole Foods in San Francisco is being built in the basement below the lobby of the apartments. Below the Whole Foods are five-floors of parking that will connect to the Trinity Phase III building next door.

Wyatt reflects on his experience so far as an intern, “What I really like about Marelich is that they all have made me feel very welcome in their company. They are all so open to help me succeed and learn new things about the mechanical industry. I am very grateful that Marelich allowed me to intern this summer and have given me such a positive experience.”

Full-time Chico State Hire

Ryan Smith graduated Chico State May 2020 with a Construction Management degree and just started full-time as a Project Manager with Marelich.

He is helping to manage the pipe fitters and sheet metal unions, focusing on HVAC work. During his experiences so far, Ryan has learned, “what truly make a great project manager is how you fix your mistakes when they arise.”

His current project is a San Francisco high end hotel and residential condo project. There are over 500 units between the hotel and condos, each has a fan coil unit which is connected to a VRF, and over five miles of refrigerant line.

“Since it is San Francisco we get to use cool tools like zoom lock which is like pro press. I process the submittals, RFI’s, IOM’s, and fix problems on the daily basis. San Francisco is a high stress environment but has some of the smartest individuals I have ever worked with. I thank MCAA for giving me such a great opportunity and for connecting me with such a great employer, Marelich Mechanical. Thank you for all you have done and for pointing me in the right direction.”

Start Your Search for Top Talent Today

Find student chapter members like Wyatt and Ryan 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.

Find the Latest from Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co® and Marking Services, Inc. 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:

Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.® a Member of Morris Group International
Our branch-style distribution units are a part of our new Smith Fluid Controls ™ line. You can simply and effectively prime up to four floor drain traps with one trap primer. The branches are flexible for ease of connection and are engineered so that water leaving the trap primer is divided evenly between branches. And of course, a variety of connection types are available.

Learn More


Marking Services, Inc.
MSI’s AIM Mobile Technology delivers on-demand 24/7 access to critical asset information. Our QR coded tags provide instant access to critical documents in the field. AIM will greatly increase productivity and efficiency in the field providing Asset and Document Management (O&M, Commissioning, Startup, Warranty, Submittals, etc.) to meet your turnover package needs.

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

6/29 Alston & Bird Coronavirus Flash Update

Alston & Bird have released their June 29 COVID-19 update, including the latest news on emergency funding, administrative and regulatory actions, workplace and home issues, and many other topics, as well as to links to all their past updates.

Webinar #24: Permanent Tech Solutions from the Pandemic – Tauhira Ali & Sean McGuire

As the old proverb goes, Necessity is the Mother of Invention. The COVID-19 crisis has forced contractors to fundamentally change the way they operate. Innovative solutions have been rapidly adopted to meet the needs of limited job sites, distributed workforce and enhanced safety demands. Some quick fixes have crashed and burned or been discarded quickly for better solutions. However, some practices, software and tools have met with success and become a permanent part of operations. In this webinar, MCAA’s Director of Innovative Technologies, Sean McGuire will co-host the presentation with Milwaukee Tool’s Group Manager of Construction Technology, Tauhira Ali to cover some of the best ideas while trying to forget the worst.

Additional Resources:

This webinar was recorded Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Paul Battaglia Joins Arden Building Companies Executive Team

Arden Building Companies, an MCAA member, announced recently that Paul Battaglia has joined the executive team as President of Corporate Mechanical of New England in Woburn, MA. “Paul brings strength, leadership, and passion for the industry to this role,” said Robert M. Bolton, Chief Executive Officer of Arden Building Companies. “His wealth of experience and deep knowledge of the Boston market will prove invaluable to the Arden Building Companies and Corporate Mechanical of New England team as we begin the next chapter of growing our Boston operations.”

Paul brings over fifteen years of industry and leadership experience in the Boston market to the role.

He is also a member of MCAA’s Project Managers Education Committee, the group responsible for facilitating and executing MCAA’s Institute for Project Management (IPM) and Advanced Institute for Project Management (AIPM).

Bassett Mechanical Announces Executive Leadership Advancements

MCAA member Bassett Mechanical recently announced four strategic promotions on its executive leadership team. Kim Bassett, President & CEO, said, “These executive advancements are not only well deserved, but also the next step in creating a strong future for our business and our customers who trust us to provide customized solutions for their unique needs.”

Jerod Steigenberger, Chief Operating Officer

Jerod has been serving in a dual role as both Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) throughout the past year. He has been engaged with Bassett Mechanical’s HVAC, Plumbing, and Industrial Refrigeration teams and has gained advanced knowledge about the industry. Prior to joining Bassett Mechanical, Jerod worked in a variety of financial roles within Oshkosh Corporation’s Defense Segment, allowing him to bring broad experiences and skillsets to his roles at Bassett. His new role of full-time COO will allow him to make an even greater impact on the company’s sales and operations.

Craig Lamers, Chief Financial Officer

Craig joined Bassett Mechanical one year ago as the Senior Director of Finance. He came to the company with a background in construction and quickly expanded his role, providing valuable insights to his team and the company’s overall initiatives. In his role as CFO, Craig will be responsible for directing the financial management of the company including strategy development, budgeting, forecasting, reporting and analysis, treasury, tax, and risk management. He will also oversee the company’s procurement and IT teams.

Lee Schmidt, Vice President of HVAC & Plumbing Solutions

Lee has been with Bassett Mechanical for 15 years, most recently serving as Senior Director of HVAC & Plumbing Solutions. With more than 20 years of business development and operational leadership experience, Lee has excelled in a number of roles including General Manager and Director of Operations. He has become a vital leader in all aspects of the HVAC and Plumbing segment from controls and engineering to field execution. As Vice President of HVAC & Plumbing Solutions, his role will include management of the HVAC & Plumbing segment with a focus on providing industry-leading solutions for customers’ unique needs.

Wade Uhlenbrauck, Vice President of Sales & Marketing

Wade has held numerous business development roles within Bassett Mechanical over his 14-year career including: sales professional, sales manager, and most recently Senior Director of Business Development. He has earned several awards and obtained numerous sales training certificates through industry networks. As Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Wade will oversee new sales growth opportunities including strategic account management of the HVAC, Plumbing, and Industrial Refrigeration customer base, and lead new strategic initiatives to ensure Bassett Mechanical continues to carry out its vision of Creating Customers for Life™.

“My goal is to make sure our company is providing individualized, safe, full-service solutions for our customers,” Kim states. “That means surrounding our company with great leaders who care as much about our associates and our customers as I do. These are leaders who want to ensure our customers get the best solution and best experience with us. I want to thank Jerod, Craig, Lee, and Wade for their continued drive and passion for making our company the best it can be.”

Help Avoid and Defend Against COVID-19 Lawsuits by Following OSHA, CDC, and Other Guidelines

The nation’s employment attorneys are anticipating an onslaught of lawsuits over workplace exposures to COVID-19. To help avoid these lawsuits, and mount an affirmative defense if they do occur, it is recommended that employers develop a comprehensive COVID-19 exposure control plan. A single document showing that the company is carefully following OSHA, CDC, and health department guidance, to help prevent employees from contracting and spreading the virus, would go a long way towards an affirmative defense, should a lawsuit ensue. A current comprehensive plan establishes a record showing how thoughtful and complete the company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been. If you don’t have a current exposure control plan, see the MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan for guidance.

Once you have established your company’s exposure control plan it is critical that you keep it updated. OSHA, CDC, health department, and local critical industries requirements change frequently due to constant COVID-19 research. Carefully monitor MCAA’s COVID-19 Resource Center to help keep your plan updated.