MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) Conference kicks off on Monday, June 12th with our Opening General Session – DISCover You. In this session led by Kathryn Crosby, attendees will complete a “style analysis” profile to produce a graph of the behavior and personality tendencies for each letter designation used in the popular DISC system specific to the attendee. Attendees will uncover valuable information about themselves and others, including why some relationships work and some don’t, along with why it is essential to adapt. Crosby will also reveal your “secret weapon “and how to use it.
Kathryn Crosby has more than 30 years experience in the construction business. While serving as Vice President and CFO for a mechanical contractor she was elected to the MCAA Board of Directors, nominated as chair for MCAA’s Project Management Education Committee, was active in the AGC, and served on the faculty of the MCAA’s highly acclaimed Institute for Project Management (IPM). Today, as owner and founder of C2 Consulting, Inc, Kathryn continues her dedication and love for the construction industry doing seminars and training throughout the U.S. and Canada. She currently serves on the faculty of IPM, Construction Education Institute, MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) and the UA’s Instructor Training Program. Kathryn has developed custom training programs for several trade organization and construction companies including the UA and Asbestos Workers.
This year’s WiMI Conference will be held June 12-14 in Nashville, TN. See you there!
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:
Viega Pressed for time? No Sweat. ProPress copper fittings make secure, flameless connections in 7 seconds or less. Approved for more applications than any other copper press fitting system, it’s what the pros use.
McGuire Manufacturing Co., Inc. McGuire is proud to announce the addition of the BV2Press stop valve to their Convertible II Ball Valve series. Designed to save labor cost and manufactured to McGuire’s high-quality standards.
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!
Curtis Harbour has been named Brandt, a Southland Industries Company’s Vice President of Labor Relations. Curtis, who became MCAA’s Vice President/Assistant Treasurer at MCAA23, will transition to his new role effective June 1, 2023, eventually expanding that role to the enterprise level.
Curtis has played a significant role in building Brandt’s business in all the company’s markets. He was instrumental in the company’s recent conversion to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
His long-time connections with national trade associations and labor unions make him well-suited for this role. As Vice President of Labor Relations, Curtis will make sure that Brandt has consistent coverage and representation with all their local labor unions and their respective contractors (e.g., MCAA, NECA, etc.). He will also oversee the management and organization of all the labor contracts and renewal timeframes.
As Curtis transitions to his new role, Brian Walsh will step into his current role of Senior Vice President and General Manager of the company’s Houston, TX, region.
Since joining Brandt in 2011, Brian has significantly impacted the development of Brandt’s North Texas Industrial business, both from an operational and preconstruction perspective. He is well-positioned to continue to develop the company’s presence in Houston and grow their project business in the local market, especially with Life Science and Industrial clients.
MCAA congratulates Curtis and Brian on their new roles and wishes them both continued success.
A recent MCA of Kansas City WiMI Committee (WiMI-KC) event inspired Tiffany Oldham, a digital media specialist with P1 Group, Inc., to write an article for her company’s newsletter. Learn more about the event and how WiMI-KC is engaging, empowering, inspiring and mentoring women in Kansas City’s mechanical industry.
There are unsung heroes among us who use their time, gifts, and generosity to propel their communities forward. They do the things that are truly needed out of the kindness of their hearts and with a passion for making a difference. Whether it is helping the needy, aiding the elderly, volunteering for a charitable organization, or fostering children, they are truly heroes in every sense of the word.
With a tradition that started in 2014 MSCA wants to honor our very own everyday hero and we need your help! MSCA’s Everyday Hero Award has become a favorite recognition award for employees, peers, employers, and the community. Who do you know who has stepped up and propelled their community into a better place?
Submit your nomination by completing the brief survey below. MSCA will recognize them onstage at the MSCA23 Conference Propel this October 22-25, 2023 in Marco Island, Florida, as well as make a very generous donation to the winner’s charity of choice. Help us honor these generous and caring individuals today by nominating them for the MSCA Everyday Hero Award. Every year we have wonderful nominees, so if you have nominated someone before and they haven’t won, you can always nominate them again.
Learn about federal procurement policy directly from U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Robin Carnahan during the 2023 CEA National Issues Conference. If you want to stay informed and involved in the legislative and regulatory policy issues that impact your business, you can’t afford to miss this conference! Join us May 2-4 in Washington, D.C. to hear about U.S. Department of Labor regulations from Jessica Looman, Wage and Hour Division Principal Deputy Administrator. Get the latest on federal construction procurement rules from Northern Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly. And learn about new pension and healthcare plan regulations from Mariah Becker of the NCCMP. Only a few spots remain. Register today!
The Field Service Supervisors Training Program is focused training designed specifically for improving the performance of your field service supervisors. Using proven methods, this program will advance skills in leadership, coaching, planning, time management, communication, and motivational techniques, all of which will give the field supervisor an edge and the confidence to deal with the workplace challenges of today.
Get the management and leadership skills you need to help your company succeed during this intensive four-day program. Whether you have come up through the trades with little or no formal management training or you want to enhance your management skills to become a more effective leader, this course is for you. Topics will include financial management, communications, coaching, managing conflict, motivating employees and more. A variety of small group activities, assessment tools, and skills-building exercises will help you apply the skills you learn in class, preparing you to go back to the office ready to use what you’ve learned.
This two-day program will provide dispatchers with all the skills they need to dramatically improve job performance. Custom designed especially for MSCA members, this program goes beyond traditional technical training to cover such critical dispatcher skills as leading technicians rather than letting technicians lead them, becoming the service manager’s partner, prioritizing customer emergencies, evaluating technician abilities, and managing their own careers in dispatching. After attending this program, dispatchers will be able to improve their job performance by learning how to: identify the service life cycle and the critical contact points that impact service success; recognize the importance of the dispatcher’s job and its impact on the organization’s profitability; communicate effectively with technicians and customers; and use good decision-making approaches for optimum priority setting and effective resource allocation.
Explore critical topics such as management, personnel, finance, service technology, training, and recruiting issues. This is the only industry conference specifically geared to service companies and the unique challenges and issues they face. Also included is an exhibit of products and services that can help you run your business more efficiently. Education sessions will help you make your time, resources, and personnel go farther. Plus, there are expanded opportunities for structured networking and peer group discussions as well as numerous social events.
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:
Morris Group International The Kwik Ship® Brands program is a collection of popular specifiable products and many ready-to-ship inventory from across seven different Morris Group International® divisions.
Reliance Worldwide Corporation Just launched, SharkBite Max™ fittings usher in the next generation of the brand’s industry-leading push-to-connect technology with key design enhancements for stronger and faster connections.
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!
A new, state-of-the-art hospital in New York required that John W. Danforth Company use solder connections for mechanical piping and press fittings for the plumbing, so they looked to a trusted and reliable partner, Mueller Streamline Co., a primary subsidiary of Mueller Industries, that could provide both. That decision has paid off with a smooth construction process to date, supported by building information modeling (BIM) technology that ensured accuracy for prefabrication. Mueller Industries, Inc. is a major sponsor of MCAA23.
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.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a standard requirement in many project specifications. MCAA’s BIM – What Is It and Is It Right for My Company? explains what BIM is and offers tips to help companies reap the greatest benefit from this technology. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.
MCAA23 concluded a week of many moments and final thoughts from MCAA President Robert Bolton. UA General President Mark McManus joined us to talk about the strength of the UA/MCAA partnership. MCAA’s two fundraisers concluded and President Bolton awarded the prizes before recognizing MCAA’s retiring Board members and turning over the presidential gavel to new MCAA President Robert Beck. President Beck thanked Bolton for his commitment and passion over the last year and announced MCAA’s funding of the Robert H. and Alda Bolton Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $20,000. The new Executive Committee and new Board members were introduced to the membership.
UA General President Mark McManusChris Catania and MCAA President BoltonMichael Gallagher and MCAA President BoltonPat Lynch and MCAA President BoltonArmand Kilijian and MCAA President BoltonImmediate Past President Robert Bolton and President Robert Beck
Fundraisers Concluded
MCAA’s Political Action Committee raffled off a signed Matchbox 20 guitar to John Geiling after raising $21,900. The John R. Gentille Foundation raised $29,020 that will go strictly towards projects and research conducted by leading experts and consultants and addresses our industry’s largest challenges.
Retiring Board Members Recognized
President Bolton thanked the members of the MCAA Board of Directors whose terms expired at MCAA23 saying, “Each of these Board members has contributed tremendously to strengthening this industry, and we want to recognize their service and thank them this morning.” They are:
Chris Catania from LAARS, a Bradford White Company
Michael Gallagher from The John F. Gallagher Company
Pat Lynch from CCI Mechanical, Inc.
Armand Kilijian from O’Brien Mechanical, Inc. II
President Bolton Offers Closing Thoughts
Before passing the gavel, President Bolton thanked everyone who made the trip to make their moment saying, “your attendance and engagement is what made the convention such an incredible experience for everyone.”
He noted that member participation makes MCAA what it is and thanked those who have volunteered, taught our programs, developed our resources, spoken at our events or on our webinars, and serve on national committees, task forces, our Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee for all they have done and will do for MCAA.
He went on to thank our partners at the UA for their leadership and partnership, our manufacturer and supplier members for their involvement, and our local associations for their work throughout the year, and for their hospitality when he travelled to meet with many of them. He also thanked his home association, the New England MCA and Stephen Affanato and his staff for the support they gave him during his year as MCAA’s president, and the national staff.
“This journey has been made possible with support of ALL the employees at Arden Building Companies who have kept the wheels turning back home and the business thriving over the last year. I could not have done it without you.”
– Robert Bolton, MCAA President
Changing of the Guard
President Bolton turned over the MCAA presidential gavel to his successor, MCAA President Robert Beck. Robert said, “I’m beyond thrilled to be joining you here today as the incoming president of MCAA… even though it is a bittersweet moment because it means we also say goodbye to Bob.”
He presented Bolton with a token of gratitude for his year as president and let him know that MCAA donated $20,000 to officially establish the Robert H. and Alda Bolton Memorial Scholarship, which will be awarded as a $5,000 scholarship for the next four years.
Association Leaders Recognized
President Robert Beck recognized the national officers who serve as MCAA’s Executive Committee and the new members of MCAA’s Board of Directors.
New Executive Committee
Joining President Beck on the Executive Committee are:
President-Elect Rick Gopffarth from Dynamic Systems
Senior Vice President and Treasurer Brian Hughes from Hughes Environmental Engineering
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer Curtis Harbour from Brandt, a Southland Industries Company
Immediate Past President Robert M. Bolton from Arden Building Companies
New Board of Directors Members
The newest contractor members of MCAA’s Board of Directors, elected to three-year terms, are:
Anne Finerfrock from The Bowers Group
Rod Foley from North Mechanical Contracting, Inc.
James Lowder from All Temperature Service Air Conditioning, Inc.
President Beck’s Remarks
President Beck shared his thoughts on the year ahead, noting that he intends to increase efforts to encourage our industry leaders, to find more avenues to connect our member companies with our vast resources and to work together to find ways to stay ahead of the curve by reinventing how we provide value and conduct business in an industry that no longer looks like it did yesterday – and that will undoubtedly look very different tomorrow.
Following his remarks, President Beck introduced guest speaker Matt Iseman, American Ninja Warrior Host, who covered everything from battling cancer, to overcoming obstacles, to the paramount importance of following your dreams.
Save the Date
We’re looking forward to making more moments in Orlando for the MCAA24 Annual Convention. Mark your calendars and join us March 17-21, 2024.
Breaking ground on the Rex and Alice A. Martin Softball Training Center at the University of Illinois in April 2021, A&R Mechanical Contractors, Inc., faced the unique challenges of building during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent supply chain issues. They successfully completed the project on schedule thanks to NIBCO, which manufactures more than 90 percent of its products in the United States. “I would have to say NIBCO was very instrumental in helping A&R Mechanical get this project finished in a timely fashion,” said Chris Asklund, A&R Mechanical project manager. NIBCO is a major sponsor of MCAA23.
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.
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.
April 2023: Worker Health
Worker health is at the heart of all that safety professionals do. This month the MCAA is packaging six worker safety videos and their accompanying materials with eleven worker safety resources and bringing you an infection control recertification webinar with the ASSE, the American Society of Sanitary Engineering. Members can refresh training on subjects such as Asbestos Awareness, Bloodborne Pathogens, Hexavalent Chromium, Silica, Radio Frequency Radiation Safety,Respiratory Protection as well as download guides, bulletins, and programs on each topic.
ASSE 12020 Infection Control Recertification Webinar
In the best of circumstances, state and local tax audits of construction contractors eventually turn adversarial and are not to be treated lightly. MCAA’s Preparing for a Sales Tax Audit will help you understand the process and the rules so that you can resolve any issues with practicality and technical proficiency. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.
The bulletin covers:
The areas that are typically troubling for construction contractor sales tax audits
The sales tax audit process
Pre-audit planning
Field audit planning
Post audit planning
It includes practical observations to help make your audit go as smoothly as possible.
Only a few spots remain for Preparatory Institute for Project Management (PIPM) Class 24. Courses begin May 9th, so don’t delay. If you have Assistant Project Managers, Project Engineers, new hires, or people transitioning to the office from the field or estimating, this online course is for them! Register them today!
MCAA’s newest project management program, the Preparatory Institute for Project Management, was developed by the same team that oversees the Institute for Project Management (IPM) and Advanced Institute for Project Management (AIPM). This course provides an introductory education on everything from planning to scheduling; from cost control to professionalism.
The 12-week online curriculum is intended for those with 0-3 years of experience and is designed to help flatten the learning curve for those new to the world of mechanical project management. In a series of 90-minute weekly classes, professional instructors and current mechanical contractors will explore topics essential to project management.
Registration takes place on a first-come, first-served basis – and classes tend to fill quickly. Visit the Pre-IPM webpage to learn what you need to do to prepare for registration. The Pre-IPM team looks forward to welcoming your participants to the program this spring!
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:
FastEST, Inc. Included with every purchase or lease, FastEST Estimating Software provides online training with one of our experienced team members. Our customer service team is available 24/7 for training and any support you may need! For those who are wanting a more in-depth and hands on training experience, we are hopeful that by mid-year we will start our regional training classes back up. In the meantime please visit our website and the help section of our program for tutorial videos.
XOi Technologies XOi’s holistic communication tool changes the way field service companies do business by leveraging photos, videos, and smart technology to bring efficiency, transparency, and expertise to every job. In this microlearning series, you will see examples of how to automate tech checklists, learn the benefits of internal job documentation, and find some helpful preventative maintenance videos to reference.
Time is running out to register for the Construction Employers of America (CEA) National Issues Conference. If you want to stay informed and involved in the legislative and regulatory policy issues that impact your business, you can’t afford to miss it! Join us May 2-4 in Washington, D.C. to hear about U.S. Department of Labor regulations from Jessica Looman, Wage and Hour Division Principal Deputy Administrator. Get the latest on federal construction procurement rules from Northern Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly. And learn about new pension and healthcare plan regulations from Mariah Becker of the NCCMP. Register today!
