Kristy Stephens, Executive Director of the MCA of Eastern Missouri, an MCAA affiliate, recently reported on the progress she and her team have made since she came aboard nearly 6 years ago. The board and the staff have embraced the challenge to guide the organization through systemic transformation, and it shows in their results.

The MCA of Eastern Missouri has renovated its building, adding state-of-the-art technology in the conference and training rooms. They adopted a new public image, and they became more efficient thanks to a cloud-based paperless office and a Salesforce-based integrated member relations tool.

The association’s governance structure has also matured through committee reform, succession planning, board self-assessment, and ongoing training. The MCA of Eastern Missouri engaged in joint strategic planning with our labor partners, gathering key industry leaders with varying agendas to identify and work on shared priorities. Their success is evident through improved communication, unprecedented collaboration, and innovative new programs.

By creating a culture of learning, the MCA of Eastern Missouri has seen camaraderie among competitors and increased engagement from individuals and the companies they represent.

MCAA congratulates the team at the MCA of Eastern Missouri on their transformation. We can’t wait to see what you do next!

We hope that you enjoyed the holidays with your families. Together, we made it through 2022 and the challenges it presented. As we jump into 2023, let’s look at all we accomplished together in 2022.

Together we:

• Hosted the first in-person Safety Directors’ Conference in two years thanks to the Safety & Health Committee and our conference sponsors, CNA and MILWAUKEE TOOL.

• Collaborated and shared experiences with the latest technologies at the annual MEP Innovation Conference with our Innovative Technologies Committee, our partners at NECA and SMACNA, our title sponsor, Trimble, and our event sponsors: Procore and MILWAUKEE TOOL.

• Congratulated the first-ever MEP Innovator of the Year Award winners, including Jeff Elwell, Director of Innovation and Technology at E.M. Duggan Company in Boston, MA.

• Partnered with CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Work Group on Preventing Struck-By Injuries to research factors that contribute to struck-by incidents and ways to prevent them.

• Released NCPWB Technical Bulletins covering pipe welding basics, how to meet ASME Section IX requirements, what welders are allowed to weld in production based on the test conditions and how to protect workers from welding fumes thanks to NCPWB Consultant Walter Sperko, P.E. and the NCPWB leadership.

• Welcomed the Greater Boston PCA as our 92nd local affiliate and Executive Director Andrew DeAngelo and President John Marani to the MCAA family.

• Provided guidance to help businesses prepare for possible cyber attacks from Nick Espinosa, MCAA’s Chief Security expert.

• Refreshed the Advanced Leadership Institute (ALI) curriculum to dynamically respond to the ever-changing challenges facing today’s mechanical industry leaders in partnership with the ALI Committee and the faculty and instructional designers from our new partners at Kenan-Flagler School of Business, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

• Congratulated the 36 graduates of ALI Class 22.

• Introduced two new John R. Gentille Foundation scholarships at the MCAA22 Convention: the Thomas J. Wanner Scholarship, in honor of our beloved and recently retired MCA of Cleveland exec, Tom Wanner, and the DeWalt Patriot Scholarship recognizing veterans of the United States military who have valiantly served their country and have chosen to enter a career in the trades.

• Donated $93,750 to Ukranian relief efforts through a combination of $68,750 in member contributions to The MCAA Charitable Fund and MCAA’s $25,000 donation. All donations support the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is actively saving and protecting the lives of victims of armed conflict and violence in Ukraine.

• Provided comments supporting the proposed modernization of Davis Bacon and related acts thanks to MCAA Government Affairs Committee Chairman Jim Gaffney and the members of the task force that reviewed and analyzed the 105-page regulatory proposal: Chuck Daniel, MCA of Maryland; Chip Mitchell, KDB, LLC.; Carl Neimeyer, Bernward Mechanical & Construction Solutions; Jason Rogers, J.C. Cannistraro, LLC; Bill Schatzman, Modern Controls, Inc.; Adam Snavely, EMCOR Services Poole and Kent Corporation; and Charlie Usher, Ideal Heating Company.

• Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC), confirming the long-standing partnership and collaboration between the two associations.

• Provided information to help members prepare for the new ANSI fall protection standard for retractables that will go into effect on February 1, 2023.

• Joined forces with NECA and SMACNA to create an even more robust Tool and Equipment Rental Guide to equipment recovery costs for mechanical, electrical, line and other construction contractors with help from EquipmentWatch, the industry leader in equipment data.

• Welcomed new staff members Noreen Cournoyer, Carlos Arias and Vincent Sarubbi Jr. They and the entire MCAA staff are here to help you.

• Partnered with industry leaders to bring you daily trainings and education events across the country during National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. Thank you to MILWAUKEE TOOL, TYFOOM, Little Giant Ladders, CLICKSAFETY and CNA.

• Presented a Clean Energy: Geothermal Energy Exchange Webinar to educate members about the next evolution of infrastructure thanks to MCAA President Robert M. Bolton and subject matter expert on geothermal HVACR technologies, Jay Egg.

• Partnered with The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC), the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) to investigate how third-party pre-qualification requirements affect members’ businesses. An article in The Constructor User reports the findings.

• Hosted another successful AEC Best Practices Conference for our association executives on best practices to help their local associations succeed. Thanks to the Association Executives Council for your leadership, and to all the execs who shared ideas and experiences.

• Produced a digital version of MCAA’s Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide that enhances the look and feel of our printed directory.

• Presented the second annual Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) Conference thanks to the leadership of the WiMI Committee members.

• Conducted a 2022 comprehensive benchmark survey to obtain current data on key performance indicators (KPIs) in the HVACR and plumbing service industry.

• Partnered with CNA to offer resources that reinforce the importance of trench protective systems to keep workers safe during Trench Safety Stand-Down Week and every day.

• Gave 65 attendees an inside look at Lexington Plumbing’s operations at the 2022 Plumbing Service Conference thanks to the Plumbing Contractors of America Board of Directors and to Lexington Plumbing of Kansas City for hosting the event.

• Collaborated with the Center for Construction Research and Training and the Arizona State University’s Ira Fulton Schools of Engineering to conduct a survey designed to help industry stakeholders better understand some potential welding risks. We hope the data gathered can further the implementation and usage of safety measures to reduce workers’ exposure to welding-related harm.

• Partnered with CNA and MILWAUKEE TOOL to offer resources to help protect workers from heat stress during the summer months.

• Produced a video series on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), which will ensure accountability for companies to implement cybersecurity standards to protect sensitive data during the design, build and operations of Department of Defense facilities. Thanks to MCAA’s Chief Security Fanatic, Nick Espinosa, for his work on the videos and to the John R. Gentille Foundation and Electri Foundation for the research grants that funded the project.

• Produced a poster to help your workers quickly understand the differences between the OSHA requirements for low-slope work under Mechanical Service (1910 Standards) and Mechanical Construction (1926 Standards), and ultimately create safer jobsites.

• Introduced a series of articles highlighting women in the industry. The first two articles feature Renee Fiorelli and Wendy Glauber, both members of the Women in the Mechanical Industry Committee.

• Produced a New Worker Safety Orientation video and several accompanying resources. This package of resources is meant to train new workers on how to identify common hazards in the mechanical industry, and how to protect themselves from those hazards. Topics covered include: stop work authority, pre-task planning, PPE, working at heights, fall protection, fall prevention, power tool safety, hazard communication, housekeeping, and emergency procedures.

• Received The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)’s full endorsement of the 2020 edition of MCAA’s Change Orders, Productivity, Overtime—A Primer for the Construction Industry. ASHRAE’s endorsement joins those of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), and the American Subcontractors Association (ASA), making the guide an industry standard for the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) industries.

• Partnered with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for Safe + Sound Week, which recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe.

• Congratulated the 450 graduates of Preparatory Institute for Project Management (Pre-IPM) Classes 15-20. All graduates completed 12 weeks of online introductory project management training.

• Worked to help understand how the industry is currently using rainwater catchment on projects through the MCAA’s membership in the Plumbing Industry Leadership Council and specifically the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association.

• Produced a comprehensive list of ideas and instructions for those interested in starting a local Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) committee in their area. Thanks to the MCAA WiMI Committee for their input.

• Welcomed new WiMI chapters at the MCA of Chicago and the New England Mechanical Contractors Association (NEMCA).

• Welcomed five new members to MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council. ClickSafety, Liberty Pumps, OpenSpace, Novarc Technologies and ServiceTitan are eager to help enhance your strategic supply chain.

• Joined forces with NECA, SMACNA and TAUC to recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Together, we acknowledged those affected by suicide, helped raise awareness about mental health and connected individuals with treatment services through a chip with the new suicide and crisis prevention number; #988.

• Revamped MCAA’s GreatFutures Job Board to help those looking for entry-level interns or full-time new hires thanks to input from the Career Development Committee. A student from Ball State University was recently hired by U.S. Engineering after using the new GreatFutures Job Board to find a summer internship. Congratulations to Reece Manning and U.S. Engineering! Read the article.

• Together with the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA), MCAA commissioned an Independent Project Analysis (IPA) analysis of 1,550 capital projects on industrial facilities across the United States over the past 20 years. The resulting report shows that union contractors add value, reduce project costs, and mitigate project risks.

• Produced five new Plumbing Service 101 resources to highlight the benefits of offering plumbing service and investment challenges to consider before taking the leap. Tips and resources that may be of interest to those with existing plumbing service operations are also included. The new resource, which made its debut at MSCA22, was developed in partnership with ATP Learning Solutions (ATP), a member of the Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

• Produced a detailed report on construction contracting best practices through a partnership between the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF), ELECTRI International (NECA) and the New Horizons Foundation (SMACNA). Our collaboration is meant to provide industry-wide data that supports our members’ contract negotiations and guidance on better contract language to reduce liability. With better practices in place, risk can be shifted away from trade contractors to the appropriate party, leading to a more profitable industry overall.

• Showcased how mechanical contractors are adopting and innovating in the built environment during MCAA’s 2022 Fabrication Conference. Thanks to McKinstry Company for hosting the tour and demonstrating how integrated digital design, collaboration and fabrication are creating a path for contractors that leverages combined productivity into profitability.

• Produced a new head protection video to help prevent the 50,000 head injuries on the jobsite per year.

• Showcased MCAA’s more than 700 Safety & Health Resources available to help you transform your safety program.

• Connected with industry improvement fund trustees and local association executives at the Industry Funds Conference thanks to the Industry Improvement Funds Committee.

• Partnered with Nickolas Optis and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Rochester, Chris Quinn and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Indiana and Bob Looman and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City to present the Field Leaders Conference to a total of 474 field personnel. Thank you to our conference speakers and exhibitors for your passionate participation in our 2022 programs.

• Congratulated the graduates of the Institute for Project Management (IPM) Classes Wrapped up classes 79-82. More than 2,600 project managers have completed this two-week program designed specifically for the mechanical industry.

• Developed new Advanced Institute for Project Management (AIPM) sessions on leadership and finance and rolled them out the first-ever double-class of AIPM graduates with help from the Project Managers Education Committee.

• Added three new courses to the NEI seminars list with our new instructors Frank Favaro, C. Richard Barnes and Casey Elford, and Charles F. Mitchell. We are still offering a 20% rebate on instructor fees for select National Education Initiative (NEI) classes, up to $5,000 per class. This benefit is available only to MCAA members and local affiliates in good standing who book courses via the NEI Initiative portal.

• Received 23 submissions for the MCAA Annual Student Chapter Competition.

MCAA’s volunteer leaders, led by President Bob Bolton and the Executive Committee, remain laser-focused on helping the industry advance and adapt to change. Thanks to the vision, talent and expertise of 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 worked together in 2022 to ensure your businesses remain competitive. As we reflect on the last year, we hope that you – the members of the MCAA family – find value in these resources and achievements.

We look forward to a new year full of challenges and opportunities to help you!