Organization: MCAA

Inspire Your Field Leaders to Strive for Greatness at the 2023 Field Leaders Conference

MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is where field leaders realize their importance and value as professionals and members of the management team. Have your field leaders join us in April, May, August, and October to learn the skills they need to be business, and results, oriented managers focused on growing company profits and brand.

SESSION HIGHLIGHT

Inspire Your Field Leaders to Strive for Greatness
with Greg Fuller, MCAA Past President & President and Owner, North Mechanical Contracting and Services Company

Your foremen didn’t get where they are by coasting. They’re good at what they do, and they can get even better by cultivating the attributes of great foremen. Greg Fuller, whose career spans from apprentice to company president and MCAA President, will lead a discussion of the top 10 attributes of great foremen. He will inspire your field leaders with new ideas and energy, to look at their role differently through an important professional lens, so they come back highly motivated to strive for greatness.

Greg Fuller is the President and Owner of Indianapolis-based North Mechanical Contracting and Services Company. Greg began learning about the craft at age five when he’d meet his father on jobsites. His journey continued into his teen years when he stocked shelves in his father’s small plumbing service company while gaining new insights into the business. After completing his apprenticeship, he joined North Mechanical and moved up to Project Manager when the position opened with the departure of the owner’s son.

We have four conferences coming up in Scottsdale, AZ (April 3-5), Chicago, IL (May 17-19), San Francisco, CA (August 2-4) and Des Moines, IA (October 11-13). Register your field personnel today! This is a conference you can’t afford them to miss.

MCAA23’s Keynote Speakers Are Sure to Inspire!

MCAA’s Convention provides so many important moments and we are determined to make each attendee’s experience great. Over the course of the week there will be opportunities to hear from inspiring speakers on the topics that matter.

Opening General Session with the Dirtiest Man on TV Mike Rowe

Mike Rowe is a writer, narrator, producer, recording artist, Emmy-Award winning TV Host, New York Times Best Selling author and the CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. As the creator and host of Dirty Jobs, Mike is best-known as “the dirtiest man on TV.”

In his role as a perpetual apprentice, Mike has highlighted hundreds of workers in dozens of essential industries. His foundation has awarded over six million dollars in work ethic scholarships to nearly 1,500 men and women, and his commitment to reinvigorate the skilled trades is unrivaled. 

Brunch with Former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino

Former White House Press Secretary, political commentator, podcaster and New York Times bestselling author Dana Perino is a revered voice on current events, politics and foreign policy. Perino served as White House Press Secretary, the second woman to hold that position and the first to do so in a Republican administration. She is a mainstay of Fox News programming, previously anchoring The Daily Briefing with Dana Perino, now co-hosting The Five as well as co-anchoring America’s Newsroom with Bill Hemmer & Dana Perino, is a featured panelist for election coverage and is known by fans as “The Voice of Reason.”

Perino, who was born in Wyoming where her family still ranches, offers unique insights from her time in the White House and as a journalist about message management during times of crisis, cultivating the qualities of powerful leadership and the key issues facing companies and organizations in today’s political climate, and skillfully moderates thoughtful conversations that get to the heart of the matter. 

Awards of Excellence Breakfast with Tennis Legend John McEnroe

On and off the court, John McEnroe has proven himself to be one of the most intriguing and controversial public figures of his time. Throughout his playing years, his bold and irreverent style made him, for many, a symbol for a generation of “rock n’ roll” athletes. He won his first Grand Slam singles title in 1979 when he captured the first of four U.S. Open Championships. In 1981, he took the first of his three Wimbledon singles titles, becoming the youngest #1 ranked male in the history of professional tennis. Since leaving the court, his unique commentary and style in the broadcast booth have garnered him national Sports Emmy nominations. He has written two bestsellers, all based on his trademark retort to the chair umpire: You Cannot Be Serious and But, Seriously. McEnroe is the Founder and Director of The Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP), which changes young lives by removing the racial, economic and social barriers to success through tennis, and the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA). 

Closing General Session with American Ninja Warrior Host Matt Iseman

Life is short, do what makes you happy.” That’s the advice that Matt got from his dad, a world renowned physician, when Matt quit medicine to pursue standup comedy. And those words still guide Matt today. A regular on multiple TV programs, Matt shared his medical expertise and unique lifestyle tips on Hallmark’s Home & Family; won an Emmy Award for his hosting on Style’s Clean House and combined his lifelong passions of sports and comedy to host Sports Soup on Versus (now NBC Sports Network).  

Matt’s ongoing battle with Rheumatoid Arthritis transformed him into a strong supporter of the Arthritis Foundation. His battle with Renal Cell Carcinoma has also made him a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. Matt combines his winning sense of humor and unique experiences and perspective as a doctor turned comic, who also hosts a smash hit show. His dynamic remarks can cover everything from battling cancer, to overcoming obstacles, to the paramount importance of following your dreams. 

See you soon in Phoenix!

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Project Forecasting

Mechanical industry project managers (PMs) are often confronted with aggressive schedules and incomplete construction documents. In this environment, managing a project to a profitable outcome is predominantly about controlling change and implementing resourceful and efficient strategies to minimize cost. MCAA’s Project Forecasting offers tips to help PMs accurately and regularly measure progress, leading to improved results. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

  • What forecasting is, and why it is so important
  • The structure of a good job cost or work breakdown
  • Cost categories
  • Cost codes
  • The elements of cost
  • Why it’s important to charge expenses where they were budgeted
  • Forecasting labor
  • Forecasting equipment and subcontract costs
  • Forecasting material costs
  • The role of the accounting group and systems in forecasting

For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

MCA of Eastern Missouri Celebrates Its Transformation

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!

CLRC Releases 2022 Year End Settlements Report

The Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC), a longstanding partner of MCAA, has released its 2022 Year End Settlements Report. The report covers the first year of newly bargained settlements to assist readers in understanding current trends. It also covers all years of negotiated settlements to assist in projecting future labor costs. In addition to a general overview, the report provides various detailed data cuts, including by geographic region and specific craft. For additional information, contact Carey Peters, Executive Director, at 202-347-8440 or clrc@clrcconsulting.org.

Find the Latest from SLOAN and iBusiness Technologies 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:

SLOAN
Sloan’s new top-fill soap dispenser eliminates the hassle of going under the sink deck to refill soap reservoirs, saving time and preventing soap waste.

iBusiness Technologies MobiliForms

iBusiness Technologies
Reduce costs and get paid faster with MobiliForms. Your identical, familiar forms now on iPad with signature and image capture. MCAA & MSCA members love MobiliForms because it pays for itself!

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s 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!

MCAA23…Education vs. Entertainment

Whether your goal is to leave MCAA23 with new implementations to increase the success of your company, with fun memories that will last a lifetime or both, we’ve got you covered. 

We’re Here for Entertainment!

Sunday, March 26

  • Swing on the links in the MCAA Annual Golf Tournament (sponsored by Victaulic and Carrier Corporation) held at the Faldo and Palmer courses at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge.
  • Ace that serve at the 46th Annual Round Robin Tennis and 2nd Pickleball Tournament (sponsored by NIBCO INC.) at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge tennis and pickleball courts.
  • Sprint that 5k or walk that mile during the Annual Fun Run/Walk (sponsored by ASC Engineered Solutions) starting from the Sunset Lawn at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge.
  • Join Frank, Dean and Sammy for a Rat Pack themed Opening Party, the official kick-off of MCAA23 (beverages sponsored by SIEMENS, dinner sponsored by Uponor, souvenir photos sponsored by EVAPCO)for an evening you won’t forget!

Wednesday, March 29

  • MILWAUKEE TOOL will host the entire convention attendance for a reception from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on the Ballroom Lawn of the JW Marriott Desert Ridge. This reception is the beginning of our closing evening and you won’t want to miss it!
  • Everyone will dine in either the Grand Sonoran or Grand Saguaro ballrooms for our closing dinner. Always a meal to please, the resort chef’s are pulling out all the stops to create a delicious and memorable final evening meal for all MCAA23 attendees.
  • If You’re Gone, Unwell, 3AM and Push are some of the songs from the mid-90s that we all love and sing along with when we hear them on the radio. Now you get to hear them in person at your very own private Matchbox 20 concert! Following the closing dinner, we will be entertained and awed by the award-winning band up close and personal.  

We’re Here for Education!

Monday, March, 27

  • Captain David Marquet will help us discover why we use the words we use when communicating and offer some recommendations for what to use in place of our traditional language to help the success of our companies in his featured seminar, The New Playbook for Leaders (session sponsored by Apollo Valves).
  • MCAA Executive Committee Members, Robert Beck and Rick Gopffarth and MCAA Past Presidents, Brian Helm and Mark Rogers will lead a discussion on the productivity, profits and risks that affect our businesses every day in their seminar, Today’s Mechanical Industry: Leading Your Business With Certainty In Uncertain Times.
  • Lifelong entrepreneur who seeks to pounce on opportunities, Matt Radicelli, will show you how not to just survive a recession but to leverage the situation to grow and profit your business in his seminar Rock the Recession: How to Prepare For, Thrive During and Create Wealth After the Next Recession (session sponsored by Baltimore Aircoil Company).

Tuesday, March 28

  • The Annual Manufacturer/Supplier Council Exhibit will take place from 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. with over 100 exhibitors to visit and learn from regarding new technologies and tools to better run your companies.
  • A special seminar hosted by MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry, Key Mindsets that Retain Top Talent by Colene Rogers, will take attendees on a journey of learning not just why employees stay or go, but what to do to make them want to stay.
  • A Lunch and Learn hosted by the Plumbing Contractors Association of America where discussion topics will range from the current state of plumbing, recruitment/retention and plumbing service and technology.
  • A Lunch and Learn hosted by MCAA where you can take a look at (and even pre-register in some cases) the various educational offerings MCAA has to offer throughout the year.

Wednesday, March 29

  • Valerie Burton will share her 5-step coaching process during her featured seminar Coaching for Leaders: How to Bring Out the Best in Yourself and Others (sponsored by SLOAN) to help make you a better employee, better boss and a better leader.
  • MCAA’s favorite economist, Anirban Basu will give an in-depth analysis of the major factors shaping economic outcomes in his seminar Show Me the Money (Supply).
  • Will Bowen’s featured seminar Complaint Free Business, will discuss the art of complaining, what’s wrong with it and how to get others (and ourselves) to stop complaining with positive leadership in a negative world. 

So…as you can see, whether you’re in it for the entertainment or education, you won’t be disappointed. See you soon in Phoenix!

Notes from Austin: AIPM’s Newest Grads Share Their Thoughts

Congratulations to this year’s graduates of the Advanced Institute for Project Management!

Last week, 42 Senior Project Managers, Project Executives, and Operations Managers traveled from member companies across the country to hone their skills under the guidance of leading claims consultant Paul Stynchcomb; legal experts Doug Patin and Chip Mitchell; former ASHRAE President Tim Wentz; and soon-to-be MCAA President Robert Beck (to name but a few!). Every member of the AIPM educational team was so impressed by the caliber of these students, who asked thoughtful questions, provided insightful commentary on industry issues, and – in the words of at least one instructor – ‘really kept us on our toes!’

So, what did the students themselves have to say about their AIPM experience? To quote a few:

“MCAA is an incredible organization. To get to spend this week with the incredible panel of speakers is something I’m extremely grateful for.”

“This was an absolute great week. I loved the open dialogue, advice, and understanding that we all have the problems and that we shared how we solve them.”

“Absolutely amazing to have top leaders from our industry from all over take time for us to learn from them. Also great to meet so many great people and build new friendships.”

“Worth it.
Worth the cost.
Worth the time away from work.
Worth the time away from family.
Worth it, and priceless.”

We really couldn’t ask for a better endorsement than that! From the entire AIPM team: a heartfelt thank you to our AIPM Class 19 graduates, for an incredible week of learning and community building.

Keep Your Field Leaders Ahead of the Curve at the 2023 Field Leaders Conference

MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is where field leaders realize their importance and value as professionals and members of the management team. Have your field leaders join us in April, May, August or October to learn the skills they need to be business, and results, oriented managers focused on growing company profits and brand.

SESSION HIGHLIGHT

Keep Your Field Leaders Ahead of the Curve
with Chris Haslinger, Administrative Assistant to the General President, United Association

Our industry will change more in the next 5 years than it did in the last 50. Are your field leaders equipped to evolve along with it? Chris Haslinger served his apprenticeship with UA Local 50 and has held various roles throughout his career with the UA. With a career focused on education and training, Chris has seen the evolution of how jobs are performed first-hand. He has played a primary role in developing UA projects that embrace new technologies, including sustainable technology programs, energy audits and retrots, CAD/BIM programs and technology in supervisory roles.

Christopher A. Haslinger was appointed to the position of Administrative Assistant to the General President on January 1, 2019. Chris handles various assignments such as Local Union Officer Educational Programs, UA Organizing Contribution Collections and other tasks as designated by UA General President Mark McManus. Prior to this appointment, he had served as the UA’s Director of Education and Training. He served his apprenticeship as an HVACR technician with Local Union 50 in Toledo, Ohio. Chris has an Associate’s degree in Industrial Training, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Labor Education and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He is also a graduate of the MCAA’s Advanced Leadership Institute (ALI).

We have four conferences coming up in Scottsdale, AZ (April 3-5), Chicago, IL (May 17-19), San Francisco, CA (August 2-4) and Des Moines, IA (October 11-13). Register your field personnel today! This is a conference you can’t afford them to miss.

Easily Find New Talent with a Quick Post on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board

MCAA members can quickly post an entry-level, full-time job or internship to a network of close to 50 student chapters as a benefit of membership. These student members are enrolled in programs such as construction management, mechanical engineering, construction engineering, architectural engineering, HVAC, and other similar courses of study that are designed to prepare them for careers in the mechanical contracting industry.

Many of these students are looking to explore the world outside of their own backyard and need assistance with connecting to internship and full-time employment opportunities. Post your job on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board today to easily start the process of finding your next great hire!

How it works:

  • Login with an MCAA username and password
  • Click on the job board within the Career Development page
  • Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting
  • Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh
  • When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month
  • Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume
  • Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resume
  • From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s application and interview process

Hired an Intern? Submit an Internship Grant Request

MCAA wants to hear about all of your mechanical contracting interns and has revised the internship grant application process to ensure program success is being rewarded and celebrated.

Part 1: MCAA members with one intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant. Companies with two or more interns may receive a $2,000 grant. One form should be filled out for each intern (even beyond two).  

Part 1 applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis and may be submitted once per calendar year, per intern.

Part 2: For companies successfully converting an intern (from their part 1 list) to a full-time new hire, a $500 gift card will be mailed to the company to present to their new hire. These new hire conversions are now unlimited, but the name of the new hire must be included on a part 1 list from an MCAA member company to be eligible. 

Part 2 applications may not be submitted until after their full-time start date.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Working with Owners

Mechanical contractors that work cooperatively with owners, design teams, suppliers and subcontractors tend to have more successful and cost advantageous projects. MCAA’s Working with Owners provides information to assist you in doing just that by developing guidelines for an effective and cooperative work environment, establishing responsibilities up front, and scheduling regular meetings to discuss progress. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

  • Potential advantages and pitfalls of working with an owner
  • What to do before the contract is signed
  • What to do after the contract is signed
  • Proactively managing the relationship with the owner during construction
  • The owner’s general responsibilities
  • What to do after construction

You might also be interested in the bulletin on Listening to Our Customers for tips on managing the owner relationship.

For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

Celebrate MCAA’s 20 Years of Safety Excellence Each Month of 2023 With a Safety Resource Kit

To celebrate MCAA’s 20 Years of Safety Excellence, MCAA is offering monthly safety kits to benefit our contractors around the country and the mechanical industry workers they support. Each kit will include videos, webinars, trainings, and additional resources on each monthly topic.

February 2023: Personal Protective Equipment

PPE is the last line of defense, and sometimes all you need to prevent and injury or save a life. Preventable injuries impact our safety culture, company morale, and our bottom lines. This month’s kit includes our newest videos on hearing protection, head protection, eye protection, respiratory protection, and hand protection. These videos are a candid look at what happens when you don’t wear PPE, and how easily you can help yourself and others by wearing these lifesaving pieces of personal protection.

Webinar

Protection Standards Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Safety Bulletin

Connect With the Latest Training from ATP Learning Solutions (ATP) and MIFAB, Inc. at MCAA.org

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

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

ATP Learning Solutions (ATP)
ATP Learning Solutions offers technical expertise, instructional design, and attention to detail. We deliver high-level customized educational solutions designed to meet your training needs, using your content or ours.

MIFAB, Inc.
Have you seen MIFAB’s Video Library? We have over 25 videos – from our Quick Hub Couplings to our MR-500 Trap Seal Primer and more! We are continuously updating our video content. Check it out!

Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

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

Ricky Reams Named 2022 MCAA/MILWAUKEE TOOL Safety Professional of the Year

MCAA and MILWAUKEE TOOL congratulate Ricky Reams, the 2022 Safety Professional of the Year award winner. Ricky has been a passionate safety leader for many years and his work to advance mental health is without equal. Ricky is the VP of Safety and Quality at Murphy Company in St. Louis, MO. The award was announced at MCAA’s 2023 Safety Conference in San Diego, CA in January. The award is presented annually to a mechanical industry safety and health professional who has led his or her company to achieving an exceptionally high degree of safety excellence. Ricky has been invited to MCAA23 in Phoenix, AZ in March to receive the award on stage during the Awards of Excellence Breakfast. MCAA and MILWAUKEE TOOL congratulate Ricky and thank him for his commitment to safety.

2023 MCAA Safety Conference Highlighted Safety Leadership & Worker Health

    Safety is the top priority for MCAA contractors, and attendance at the 2023 MCAA Safety Conference proved it. The 2023 conference was the largest safety event in MCAA history, bringing together over 350 professionals to focus on safety and health in San Diego, CA.

    The conference featured 50 hours of education and training including keynotes on safety leadership, mental health, and safety management. It included 20 breakout sessions on current safety issues and priorities.

    “This has been one of the best conferences I’ve ever been a part of.”

    Tracy Haus, MCAA Safety & Health Committee Chairman and Baker Group Safety Director

    The conference celebrated its 20th anniversary at PETCO Park at an event hosted by the MCAA Board of Directors.

    Feedback from attendees was exceptional and highlighted the new expert panel discussion and presentation from Jen Massey, the UA’s Safety, Health, and Environmental Administrator.

    With the increased focus on health, from mental health to worker health, MCAA will expand the conference moving forward. Mark your calendar and plan to join us for the 2024 MCAA Safety & Health Conference January 16-18, 2024 in Tucson, AZ.

    Find the Latest from Uponor, Inc. and Morris Group International 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:

    Uponor, Inc.
    Uponor Kitting Services speeds installs, increases accuracy, lowers labor and material costs, and enables better management of project schedules.

    Morris Group International
    Smith’s Zip-Trench® Polypropylene Trench Drain is a less expensive, labor-saving alternative to a cast-in-place trench drain. Available in 6” or 12” widths, this heavy-duty drain is a game changer.

    Need Something Else?

    Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s 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!

    Inspection Notice: Specific 3M Construction & Vest Style Harnesses

    3M has notified the industry of a potential issue that could result in some construction and vest style harnesses not performing properly. This condition results in the adjuster not being able to be adjusted or not locking in place after adjustments have been made. This manufacturing issue will result in the harness not performing properly in the event of a fall, which could result in severe injury or death. Protect your workers – read the inspection notice below.

    Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Insurance for Catastrophes

    Businesses and their insurers have experienced catastrophic losses resulting from incidents involving terrorism, environmental impacts, mold, asbestos and defective workmanship. Consequently, pressure has increased on business insurers to limit the availability of certain coverages, substantially increase the cost of others and reduce claims. MCAA’s Insurance for Catastrophes provides information about various coverages along with solutions to help contractors protect their businesses. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

    For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

    Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

    Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.