Organization: MCAA

Nelson Stark Brings Abandoned Factory Back to Life With Viega Products

Putting Viega products to work allowed Nelson Stark Company to overcome the slew of challenges that came with repurposing a dilapidated factory into a mixed-use development. The contractor knew that Viega’s flameless press technology was the clear choice for renovating the historic building safely and for installing piping much faster than other pipe-joining methods. Viega is a sponsor of MCAA’s 2021 Virtual Education Conference.

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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

Women in Construction Week Celebrated Amazing Industry Women

MCAA was proud to have the opportunity to spotlight so many women in our industry this week on our social media channels in celebration of Women in Construction Week. Here’s a recap of just some of the amazing talent that we have in our industry, in case you missed it.

Meet Jenyll Allende F+F Mechanical in North Haven, CT. Jenyll fell into the industry 20 years ago when she was working a dead-end job barely making ends meet. She says that it was a lot tougher back then, the older generation were a lot harder on women in the trade but things have definitely improved a lot over the years. “I’d love to see a pre-maternity leave so you can still work through pregnancy.”

Meet Vanessa Conrad with CCI Mechanical, Inc. in Salt Lake City, UT. Vanessa has just joined the CCI team but has been in the trade for 21 years. Vanessa’s favorite project she’s worked on has been Intel in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The project was chaotic, but the teamwork and camaraderie has been unmatched. Vanessa is continuously complimented on her organization skills and work ethic. “I enjoy the stories shared among others in the field and the challenges that come with the trade.”

Meet Ke’La Daniels with U.S. Engineering and Local 533 in Kansas City. Ke’La enjoys working in the industry’s changing environment, working with her hands and doesn’t mind getting a little dirty. She’s always reaching out to women she knows, encouraging them to join the trade. She encourages others to always pay attention, listen and get information from those who have been in the trade for a long time to learn the “tricks”. She’s a strong believer that most of her knowledge has come from talking to everyone and meeting new people. “The more women we have in the industry, the more normal it will be.”

Meet Ariel Davis with U.S. Engineering and Local 8. Her previous job closed and moved to Mexico, so she need a new career to settle into. She says it has been an all-around amazing experience and feels she has learned a lot. “You can do anything the boys can do.”

Meet Nichole Derbyshire with Peterson Service Company in Medford, NJ. Nicole is half-way through second year in the trades. She started out in childcare, moved to healthcare and then moved to trades – loving that the industry is always growing and can’t be outsourced. “It’s a good feeling to know you can work on equipment and know you can fix things. A feeling of empowerment.”

Meet Amanda Dufrane-Palmer with EMCOR Services Betlem and Local 13 in Rochester, NY.  Amanda has been in the industry for seven years and joined after coming off active duty in the Army. She recommends the industry to other women because it is understaffed by females and is a great opportunity to pave the way for other women to join the industry.  “Customers get excited to see a women because they didn’t know we existed in the industry.”

Meet Shekinah Francis with U.S. Engineering Construction in Rocky Mountain, CO. Shekinah has been in the trades for 3 years so far and loves her job. She says the industry provides the most learning opportunities has a lot of potential to move up. “Just do it. It seems scary but there is more opportunity here than anywhere else.”

Meet Kate Gunther, John W. Danforth Company, Tonawanda, NY. She has been in the industry since 2012,  and went through Helmets to Hard Hats. Starting in the Air Force, Kate knew wanted to get into the trades. She looked at steam fitting and pipefitting, and it turns out they were hiring! “The industry is a great place for the strong willed and those eager to learn and grow.”

Meet Rene Johnson with EMCOR Services/MESA in Energy in Irvine, CA. Rene started out in the office of her dad’s AC company and saw all the people in field making more money and thought “I could do that job.” She says the industry is a lot more accepting now than when she started 31 years ago. Rene love passing the knowledge that she has learned through the years on to the new people in the trade. Her advice to them is to not take any short cuts, start from the bottom and work your way up. Respect isn’t given it’s earned. “Don’t tell me how good you are, show it in your work.”

Meet Payten King with U.S. Engineering Metalworks in Rocky Mountain, CO.  Payten has officially been in the trades for 2 years, but her experience started long before that. Her stepdad owns a welding company and when she was 14 years old, he had a project that required all the family’s help. She says the experience hasn’t always been easy and has taken a lot of adjusting but it it’s a great skill to learn and the industry will always be around! “Once he put the welder in my hand, I decided to make a career out of it.”

Meet Coley Maurer with U.S. with Engineering Construction and Local 192 in Rocky Mountain, CO. Coley has been in the industry for almost 6 years. She joined the industry through the single women’s program, Climb Wyoming. She says her experience has been really great and that she has met a lot of really amazing, all American people just trying to earn an honest living to take care of their families. She describes the industry as a Brotherhood and Sisterhood. “It’s a hard day’s work but you drive by a project you were a part of and feel really proud of what you accomplished.”

Meet Deborah Mullen with Corporate Mechanical of New England and Local 537 in Woburn, MA. Deborah has been with Corporate since 2019 and is a second-generation pipefitter. She enjoys learning from experienced Foreman on new ways to get a job done. Her toughest job challenge was drilling ¾ drop-in anchors on a 12-foot ladder over her head. “ Working in the trades has helped me build confidence.”

Meet Nicole Patchett with UMC, Inc. in Mukilteo, WA. Nicole tried quite a few traditional female jobs and had a hard time acclimating so she looked into nontraditional jobs. She started with residential HVAC and fell in love with the culture of the industry. A friend encouraged her to join the union and it has been a very positive experience. She says it can be really intimidating but is a really positive experience and the camaraderie is very high. “Give it a try! Most women don’t even give themselves the chance to succeed in the commercial trade fields.”

Meet Lindsay Phillips with US Engineering and Local 8 in Kansas City. Lindsay started as a chef before joining the industry five years ago. Starting out she felt she had to prove herself a lot and that there was a balance between being herself and walking the line to the gain trust of her team. She’s the third generation in her family to join the trades and loves the benefits that the trades have to offer. “Stand your ground but don’t take yourself too seriously.”

Meet Patty Rizzo with John W. Danforth Company in Tonawanda, NY. Patty joined the industry twenty years ago. She says there are good days and bad days and the industry can be like having 40 brothers and one ex-husband but it is a great opportunity for growth and the freedom to be able to pay your own bills and not be beholden to anyone else. “Very satisfying when you are confident in the job and get the respect you deserve.”

Meet Kerry Sampson with Unique Metal Works and Local 17 in Pawtucket, RI. Kerry joined Unique in 2018. She was looking for steady employment with good pay, benefits, and a retirement option so she could build a comfortable life with her daughter. She said, “Often, I am usually the only woman working in my trade on job sites. Kerry says she constantly pushes herself physically and mentally to prove that she can keep up to the men working beside her.

Meet Ivette Saunders with MJ Daly and Local 676 in Waterbury, CT. Ivette has been with MJ Daly since 2015. She started doing HVAC work when she was in the Air Force. She enjoyed it so much; she pursued it once she on the civilian side. “I am proud to be part of the team.”

Meet Heather Shreve with U.S. Engineering Construction, in Rocky Mountain, CO. As a kid, Heather enjoyed working with her hands and knew she wanted to choose career in the construction trade. Even though her dad was a general contractor, she received a lot of pushback from family but eventually settled on plumbing because of its versatility – loving that it was never the same thing every day. “Construction makes me happy. I love building things.”

Meet Reena Smith with US Engineering Construction and Local 192 in Rocky Mountain, CO. She is 3rd generation in the trade, following her father and grandfather who were plumbers and pipefitters. Reena has been in the industry for more than 20 years and says it has changed a lot. When she started there weren’t accommodations for women, like female restrooms. She had to work harder than the men, and her work was always picked out but now feels she’s treated more equal. “Stick with it. If you fail, take your mess-ups and keep going.”

Meet Janice Snidow with U.S. Engineering Metalworks in Rocky Mountain, CO. Janice has been in industry for 40 years. Growing up she was a hands-on girl and loved helping her dad, who was a plumber. He encouraged her to try a mechanical apprenticeship which she started right out of highs school. Janice says the industry has changed a lot since she joined – it was a lot harder in the years past with women being new to the trade – took a while for the respect for women to grow. “It’s an awesome career. Expect to work hard and don’t expect favoritism. Just do the best you can!”

Meet Amber-Rose Sousa with Arden Engineering Constructors in Pawtucket, RI. Amber has been with Arden for four years but is not new to construction job sites. She has been visiting sites with her Dad, an electrician, since she was four years old. He taught her that being able to work with your hands and know a trade is very important. Working as a project manager, she feels like the captain and team leader – the one who makes a project possible, ensuring things stay on budget and schedule from start to finish. “With every successful project I deliver, I gain more confidence in my abilities.”

Meet Quiema Spencer, Master Pipefitter for Local 533 in Kansas City, MO. Quiema is incredibly involved in the industry, sitting on the Board of Directors for the Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom, President of the Heartland Women in Trades and was leader in the statewide campaign against Right-To-Work in Missouri. In addition, she has been an annual volunteer instructor in Camp NAWIC, a weeklong summer program to encourage young high-school aged women to consider their options in non-traditional occupations in building trades. Her five-year apprenticeship was an experience much like her trade school experience–very few minority women. She was the first of only two African American women in Pipefitter’s Local 533.  “Don’t shy away from the many challenges ahead of you. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.”

Meet Serene Thomas with US Engineering and Local 533 in Kansas City. During her career she been an Instructor at the Pipefitter Training Center, sat on the P.F. Finance Board, served as Interim Financial Secretary Treasurer, Delegate for MO chapter of AFL-CIO, Member of Heartland Women in Trade (HWIT) a not-for-profit volunteer organization comprised of women in the KC area that are in Union Building trades. My career in the construction industry has been fun, challenging, fulfilling, and has matured me in ways I never thought possible. But without the help and support of other trades women, family members and other industry advocates that want to see women and minorities work and thrive as Tradespeople, all of the above wouldn’t be possible. It is my hope that I will be that same support and advocate for the next generation of women in construction. “Don’t allow fear to dictate if you take the opportunities. Push past it.”

Meet Angel Whitequills with CCI Mechanical, Inc. in Salt Lake City, UT.  She joined the trades and Local 140 Plumber and Pipe Fitters Union for the lifelong career, hands on experience and traveling opportunities. Angel graduated valedictorian in her class at the apprenticeship program and was runner up for student of the year. She is complimented on thinking outside of the box, being bright and has a great work ethic. “I’m proud to be a part of the construction trade and be able to look back and that that I’ve helped build in the community.”

Want to Know What to Expect from OSHA in the New Administration? Don’t Miss Our April 7 Webinar with Adele Abrams!

Wednesday, April 7, 2021 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT

Prepare for OSHA’s coming regulatory and enforcement agendas by participating in this 60-minute webinar for mechanical construction and service companies. Our presenter is nationally recognized safety and health expert and attorney Adele Abrams. She is a frequent presenter for MCAA with expertise in legal, occupational safety/health issues, employment law, and mine safety. Adele is also co-author of several books related to occupational safety and health, construction, employment law, and mining. Join us Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT. Register now!

What to Expect from OSHA in the New Administration? Webinar

Prepare for OSHA’s coming regulatory and enforcement agendas by participating in this 60-minute webinar for mechanical construction and service companies. Our presenter is nationally recognized safety and health expert and attorney Adele Abrams. She is a frequent presenter for MCAA with expertise in legal, occupational safety/health issues, employment law, and mine safety. Adele is also co-author of several books related to occupational safety and health, construction, employment law, and mining. Join us Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT. Register now!

Withum COVID-19 Bill Update – 3/9/21

National accounting firm Withum shares some recent developments from the IRS with respect to the ERC and one PPP development.

IRS Issues Notice 2021-20:

On the evening of March 1, the IRS released 102 pages worth of guidance surrounding the 2020 ERC program. While much of the notice was regurgitating the FAQs already on its website, they did provide some notable clarifications:

  • Self-employed individuals are not entitled to ERC with respect to their own wages, but can claim the credit for their employees’ wages.
  • Entities subject to aggregation are treated as one employer to determine the following: (i) full or partial shutdown rule, (ii) gross receipts test, (iii) 2019 FTE calculation, and (iv) determining maximum credit per employee.
  • Rules surrounding full or partial suspension of activities were greatly expanded, installing a definition of ‘nominal’ for businesses who have part of their business shut down while others are able to continue to operate. These rules are fairly facts and circumstances based, so we recommend you reach out to your advisor to discuss on a more detailed level. 
  • Interplay of PPP is discussed with 7 examples provided – in general, the notice reaffirms the flexibility of wages to be allocated in advantageous manner between programs. It further clarifies that borrowers who have already submitted their loan forgiveness application can re-allocate wages to the ERC, provided those wages were not needed to obtain forgiveness within the context of the PPP forgiveness application was filed – any excess wages can be re-allocated as necessary.
  • IRS confirmed that when claiming the 2020 credit, separate 941-Xs should be filed for each quarter. 

Taxation of the ERC:

We have received many questions around this, so we thought it appropriate to include a point of emphasis. Unfortunately, the ERC carries with it a disallowance of otherwise deductible costs in the amount of the credit. Because the amount of the credit will reduce otherwise deductible expenses, this means that taxable income for recipients will increase. Generally, this taxable income increase would occur in the year to which the credit relates. This is an important note, as companies applying now for the 2020 credit will have to adjust their 2020 taxable income and 2020 tax returns. This treatment seems particularly inequitable, especially because the actual credit amount for borrowers not receiving the amounts is not likely to be received until well after the tax deadline. We are working on a more detailed discussion of this issue, which will be posted in our resource center in short order. 

Federal Reserve Board Extends PPP Facility to June 30, 2021:

We also have one piece of news regarding the PPP to share. The Federal Reserve Board announced yesterday that it will extend the expiration date of the PPP servicing from March 31, 2021 to June 30, 2021. It is unclear whether this will also be followed by Congress and/or the SBA. The deadline of March 31, 2021 was set by the CAA, which would need to be updated in order to allow applications to be approved after March 31, 2021. If extended to June 30, 2021, this would provide businesses, including those with more than 20 employees who have not been able to apply for the PPP over the last two weeks, some comfort that they will not be up against a March 31 deadline to be approved. In theory, an extension also would provide the ability of a borrower who received PPP1 funding during 2021 to use the funds within the rules of the program and then apply for PPP2 funding prior to the cutoff date of June 30, 2021.  

These last two weeks have been busy from the IRS and SBA – with Congress in the final phases of stimulus package negotiations, we are sure to have further updates for you in the coming week. As always, we welcome you to follow along our Stimulus Package Headquarters resource center, where we will continue to publish information as notable guidance becomes available. If you have questions on the above information, please reach out to your Withum advisor.

Robin Cowper Becomes First Woman JATC Chair

Ed Kommers, Executive Director of the MCA of Western Washington (MCAWW) announced that MCAWW Associate Director Robin Cowper was elected Chair of the local union-management apprenticeship (JATC) committee. She is the first woman chair and the first association executive to hold that position locally.  

The apprenticeship committee is one of the most critical, important, and visible labor-management entities in our industry.

Robin’s election is also significant in that it was suggested by the employer members on the committee and fully supported by the local union business manager.

In addition to serving on the committee for a number of years, Robin has shown her dedication to apprenticeship by teaching soft skills classes to apprentices, participating in interviews, and conducting “mock interviews.”

Ed Kommers said, “Our ever-increasing number of female apprentices will see an apprenticeship committee that reflects the demographics of the 500 apprentices in the program. Robin will do well on the committee and Good Luck to her!”

Xcel Mechanical’s Labor Savings Rocket With NIBCO Press for Aerospace Remodel

Xcel Mechanical Systems estimated saving as much as 40 percent in labor on some aspects of an aerospace laboratory renovation project by using NIBCO® Press fittings and valves. Xcel, based in Gardena, CA, was hired to design and build the mechanical, plumbing, and process piping elements to expand and modernize an occupied research and development facility in southern California for one of the nation’s largest aerospace firms. NIBCO INC. is a sponsor of MCAA’s 2021 Virtual Education Conference.

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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

Paul Christensen Named to In Business Magazine 40 Under 40

Madison Association of Plumbing Contractors (MAPC) Executive Director Julie Walsh announced that MAPC Board President Paul Christensen was named a member of In Business magazine’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2021. Christensen is Owner/CEO/Project Executive of 1901 Inc., an MCAA member company.

“Annually, the 40 Under 40 is a celebration of some of the brightest and most driven young professionals within the Greater Madison business community, and we are thrilled to recognize our 21st class here in 2021 as they will now join a group of over 800 distinguished 40 Under 40 alumni,” said In Business magazine Publisher Jon Konarske. “This is yet another group that has already made a huge impact—both in their careers and within the community, and there is no doubt that they will be helping to lead the way as we slowly work our way out of the pandemic.”

Christensen began working for 1901 Inc. when he was in high school before completing a five-year steamfitter apprenticeship as a member of Steamfitters Local 601. He went on to become a foreman, advanced to project manager in 2010, and purchased the company in 2011.

In addition to leading the MAPC Board, Christensen is the President of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Wisconsin (MCAW) and the Treasurer of the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau’s Wisconsin Chapter. He continues to give to the next generation of steamfitters by serving on the Madison Area Steamfitters Joint Apprenticeship Committee and Wisconsin’s Steamfitters Apprenticeship Advisory Committee.

Christensen is highly involved in the Madison community through the annual Kids Building Wisconsin event, and he is currently the co-chair of the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk.

“Paul is a leader in the mechanical and plumbing industries in Madison and throughout Wisconsin,” said Walsh. “We are thrilled to see him honored by In Business and join so many distinguished individuals with this achievement.”

Selected from over 100 applications, the members of the 21st annual 40 Under 40 will be recognized in the March 2021 issue of In Business magazine and highlighted in a series of video interviews that month.

To learn more about Christensen or MAPC, contact Julie Walsh.

With Daikin, Olson Plumbing and Heating Stands Up COVID-19 Care Facility in Record Time

Olson Plumbing and Heating partnered with Daikin Applied to retrofit a Colorado medical center to house patients recovering from COVID-19, moving from planning to project completion in just 30 days. In response to the rapid spread of the pandemic, St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo, CO, was redesigned to provide post-COVID-19, non-critical, isolated care, freeing up intensive care isolation units in other facilities. Daikin is a sponsor of MCAA’s 2021 Virtual Education Conference.

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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

Withum COVID-19 Bill Update – 02/24/2021

National accounting firm Withum shares some thoughts on recent developments related to the PPP, PPP2, Loan Forgiveness, and Employee Retention Tax Credits.

White House Announces Changes to PPP:

Yesterday afternoon, President Biden announced changes to the PPP geared toward making the program easier to access for smaller businesses. Last night, the SBA released further guidance solidifying these changes: 

  • Starting February 24, 2021 at 9am, the SBA will establish a 14-day exclusive loan application period for businesses/not for profits with fewer than 20 employees. 
  • SBA will also enact the following changes to promote equitable access to SBA relief:
    • Allow sole proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed to receive more financial support by revising the PPP’s funding formulas for these categories
    • Eliminate restrictions for small business owners with non-fraud felony convictions and restrictions for student loan debt delinquency
    • Ensure access for non-citizen small business owners who are lawful US citizens (ITINs will be used for PPP)
  • The adjustments to the funding formula for these groups are not available at this time, neither is any information on whether these borrowers who have previously received PPP2 funding can apply for more with their lender
  • It is not clear if/how this will affect applications that are currently in processing with lenders or the SBA or whether funding will be delayed in these instances

PPP2 Update:

After re-opening for business in mid-January with new appropriations of $284 billion, the PPP has had it’s fair share of bumps along the way. Here are some updates:

  • Through February 21, the program has had 1.9 million loans approved for approximately $140 billion in loan dollars during 2021. Average loan size of approximately $73k is considerably less than the first round, as expected due to the employee count and maximum loan amount standards imposed
  • The SBA installed more than 50 validation checks to prevent fraud and misuse of program funds. An unintentional effect of this was that many otherwise eligible borrowers were being held from receiving funds due to “hold codes” not applicable to their situation. The SBA has indicated that they are working to correct this, and on February 10, 2020, issued guidance to lenders on how to bypass to allow borrowers to receive their funding. 
  • The SBA has installed a loan cap of $35,000 per employee for funding within either a PPP1 or PPP2 loan. This cap is not specified anywhere in the legislation or subsequent guidance, however they have been limiting certain loan amounts of borrowers for this through the SBA E-Tran system. We believe this would be calculated at $20,833 in wages and $14,117 of employer sponsored health insurance, retirement contribution and state and local taxes.  We are not sure how they are determining the $14,117 amount as that information is not supplied on an employee basis.
  • In last night’s release, the SBA announced they are working with their partners to improve the “digital front door” – presumably aimed at correcting some of the hold code issues previously identified. 

For a refresher on the eligibility criteria for receipt of a second draw PPP loan, please visit our article here.

Loan Forgiveness Update: 

The SBA has published the following forgiveness data through February 18, 2021:

Issued:  5.2 million loans$521 billion loan dollars
Forgiven: 1.7 million loans$152 billion loan dollars
Under review: 187k loans  $76.9 billion loan dollars 
Not yet received by the SBA: 3.3 million loans $292 billion loan dollars
Not forgiven:– not provided – $500 million loan dollars

Employee Retention Tax Credits (“ERC”):

Outside the PPP, the revamped ERC program has been the hottest topic of the new year for businesses in need of relief after the downturn has negatively impacted their revenues. The program, which carries a refundable $19,000 credit per employee for businesses who qualify for both 2020 and 2021, should be explored by ALL small businesses who have either had significant reductions in gross receipts or were fully or partially suspended due to government orders during 2020. A brief summary of each program is as follows: 

  • 2020 Opportunity: The CAA removed the requirement that businesses cannot obtain a PPP loan and claim the ERC. This means that any business that previously obtained a PPP loan can now retroactively claim the ERC for 2020 if they qualify. The test for the 2020 ERC is that the business must have suffered either (i) a full or partial suspension of its business operations due to COVID-19, or (ii) it experienced a decline in gross receipts for any quarter in 2020 by more than 50% compared to the same quarter in 2019.
  • 2021 Opportunity:  Under the CAA, businesses can now claim an ERC for the first two quarters of 2021, and the rules are less restrictive than they were in 2020. Two key changes include: (i) the maximum credit per employee is $14,000 in 2021, compared to $5,000 in 2020, and (ii) the decline in gross receipts test has been relaxed to include a decline of 20% instead of 50%. Businesses can also utilize the prior quarter to establish eligibility for the 2021 program.  This means for Q1 2021, the Q4 2020 can be used to determine the 20% decline in revenues. There are other expansions of the ERC that are favorable for businesses with employee counts between 100 and 500.
  • Note that businesses can only claim the ERC for eligible wages that were not used to support PPP loan forgiveness, and this prohibition against double dipping applies in 2020 and in 2021. 

Our team has put together some resources for small businesses to start evaluating whether they might benefit from this program. Please visit our ERC flowcharts here, or our article on the overall program here. We also invite you to view our on-demand webinar from last week here.

MCAA and UA Join Forces to Help Those in Need in Texas

As a state of emergency is declared in Texas, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America is working with the United Association to coordinate relief and provide supplies to those in need. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of our members, their employees and families, and everyone else in Texas as they get through this period of devastation. If you would like to join us in this effort, please follow the link below to contribute to the MCAA Charitable Fund. We, the UA and MCAA, are all in this together!

Meet MAPC’s New Board Members

Madison Association of Plumbing Contractors (MAPC) Executive Director Julie Walsh announced this week that Paul Christensen will serve as MAPC President with Brian Schultz as Vice President, Chris Behrendt, P.E., as Secretary, and Jesse Pertzborn as Treasurer.

Meet the team that oversees the MAPC’s efforts to provide its members with the best education, resources, safety practices, industry relations, and networking events possible.

Paul Christensen | MAPC President

Owner/CEO/Project Executive of 1901, Inc.

Christensen began working for 1901, Inc. when he was in high school before completing a five-year apprenticeship as a member of Steamfitters Local 601 before he became a Foreman.  He was promoted to Project Manager in 2010 and purchased the company in 2011.

Brian Schultz | MAPC Vice President

Vice President & Plumbing Department Head of Hooper Corporation

Schultz, a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, has nearly 25 years of experience in the plumbing field. He became the Plumbing Department Head of Hooper Corporation in April of 2013.  Schultz was then promoted to Vice President of the company in January of 2017.

Chris Behrendt, P.E. | MAPC Secretary

Construction Manager at J. F. Ahern Co.

Behrendt, also a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has nearly 19 years of experience in the construction industry, and has been serving as a Construction Manager with J. F. Ahern Co. for over seven years.

Jesse Pertzborn | MAPC Treasurer

Vice President of H.J. Pertzborn Plumbing & Fire Protection

Pertzborn continues to carry on the family business started by his great grandfather, Henry Joseph Pertzborn, in 1928.  He joined the family business as a master plumber and designer for H.J. Pertzborn Plumbing & Fire Protection in the mid 1990s.  Pertzborn became Vice President of the company in April of 2014 following his father’s retirement.

To learn more about MAPC, visit the association’s website or contact Julie Walsh.

New Buyer’s Guide Is One of Many Ways to Connect with MCAA Supplier Partners

The newly updated 2021 Buyer’s Guide is one of many ways MCAA connects you with the supplier partners that make up your strategic supply chain. Take a look for detailed information about their products and services, then use the contact information inside to learn more.

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MCAA members can also learn more about our industry’s top manufacturers and suppliers in several other ways.

Find Out What’s New in the Virtual Trade Show

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council. Connect with participating companies for highlights and links to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest.

VISIT THE VIRTUAL TRADE SHOW

Connect with Manufacturer/Supplier Training Opportunities

As part of MCAA’s ongoing efforts to connect our contractor and manufacturer/supplier members, we have added a new Manufacturer/Supplier Training area on MCAA.org. Find it under the Resources menu. Visit any time to connect with the latest training opportunities from our supplier partners, including many virtual options.

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Learn from Contractor-Supplier Partnerships

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

Need the Bottom Line on OSHA’s Recent COVID-19 Guidance? MCAA’s Summary Has It

OSHA recently released guidance to help employers protect their workers and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the workplace. MCAA’s new summary highlights the bottom line items in the areas of COVID-19 Prevention Programs, Return to Work Criteria, Social Distancing Measures, Engineering Controls, Face Coverings and PPE, and Sanitization, Cleaning, and Disinfecting Practices.

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John W. Danforth Company Is Contractor Magazine’s 2020 Contractor of the Year

John W. Danforth Company, an MCAA member, has been named Contractor magazine’s 2020 Contractor of the Year. Danforth’s response to COVID-19 and its Virtual Design and Construction expertise are recognized. The company’s engagement with youth and women in the trades and its community engagement initiatives were also highlighted. Congratulations to the entire Danforth team!

Michel Michno Named Harris CEO

Michel Michno has been named the next CEO of Harris, an MCAA member company. He joined Harris in 2015 as chief operations officer, bringing with him over 35 years of experience in the construction industry, including international experience in Europe, Asia, Africa and Central and South America.

His broad background includes skills in building envelopes, building interiors, ornamental metals, sheet metal and HVAC. He is adept at automating the design and construction process to increase efficiency and has a strong record of growing companies both organically and through acquisition. He holds a Master of Science from the Ecole Nationale Superieure d’ Art et Metiers, in Paris, France.

Greg Hosch, Harris’ CEO since 2008 and an employee for the company for 30 years, will remain connected with Harris in his role as Board Chairman. During his time as chief executive officer, he more than tripled the business, acquired nine companies and developed the Harris Design Studio. Key projects constructed during his tenure include U.S. Bank Stadium, Apple2 Campus in Cupertino, Tesla Manufacturing Center and most recently, the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

“I am very excited to lead Harris into this next phase of progress,” said Michno. “Harris is a dynamic company that will continue to deliver remarkable results for both our partners and employees.”

As We Embrace the Arrival of 2021, MCAA Thanks You For All We’ve Accomplished, Together, in 2020. Take a Look Back at the Highlights!

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.
  • Partnered with Dodge Data & Analytics to produce the Prefabrication and Modular Construction SmartMarket Report.
  • 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.
  • Wrapped up classes 75 and 76 of the Institute for Project Management (IPM) with 113 graduates and our 16th Advanced IPM Class (AIPM) with help from the PMEC committee.
  • 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:

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!