Organization: MCAA

President Joe Biden Signs Legislation Recognizing Juneteenth National Independence Day as a New Federal Holiday

As of Thursday, June 17, 2021, the United States has a new federal holiday commemorating June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved African Americans were granted their freedom in Galveston, Texas marking the official end of slavery in the United States. This is approximately two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation feed slaves in the Southern states. In December 1865, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified and slavery was abolished.

The Juneteenth legislation passed through Congress with overwhelming support. The senate approved the bill unanimously and the House passed it in a 415-14 vote. Under the legislation, the federal holiday will be officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day. 

Juneteenth is the 12th legal public holiday and the first new federal holiday created in nearly 40 years since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed into law in 1983 by Ronald Reagan.

Vice President Kamala Harris was present as President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth legislation. The law goes into effect immediately, making this Friday (June 18, 2021) the first federal Juneteenth holiday in American history. Since June 19 falls on a Saturday this year, the federal Office of Personnel Management announced that most federal employees would observe it on Friday, June 18, 2021.

MCAA commends President Biden and all the legislators for recognizing Juneteenth as a crucial part of the American story and their efforts to unify all Americans.

Registration Now Open for MSCA21 & GreatFutures 2021

Reservations are processed on a first-come-first-serve basis and rooms are limited. Be sure to register early.

At long last, MSCA looks forward to being together this October in Arizona!

It’s been a while, hasn’t it? MSCA invites you to reunite and come together, at the J.W. Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn & Resort, to share your experiences, explore new innovations, and reconnect—in person—with your peers. We will mingle, meet, and collaborate on a brighter future. And we will get to do it Together…at last!

October 14-17, 2021
JW Marriott Scottsdale
Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

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And Still More Togetherness…

This year’s MCAA GreatFutures Forum, which brings together the brightest and most ambitious students from our MCA-affiliated student chapters, will be held in conjunction with the MSCA conference. Many students will be seeking jobs and internships and this provides them a unique opportunity to learn more about what the HVACR/plumbing service industry has to offer. Students and contractors can meet, inspire, hire, share ideas, and generally have a great time!

October 17-19, 2021
JW Marriott Scottsdale
Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

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Find the Latest from Charlotte Pipe & Foundry and eVolveMEP 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:

Charlotte Pipe & Foundry
Charlotte Pipe and Foundry is the nation’s leading maker of cast iron and plastic pipe and fittings for the plumbing industry.

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eVolveMEP
eVolveMEP is the Southeast’s premier Autodesk software reseller, providing design technology planning, training, mentoring, and solutions to help clients improve project performance and workflows.

Learn More

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Havtech, MacMiller Better Connect With Customers Through XOi Technologies

Havtech and MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions (MacMiller) are among those MCAA members using XOi Technologies to capture facilities information that helps them improve service and better communicate with clients. In a highly competitive market, video documentation helps them get client approval quickly, demonstrate that work is completed, and bring technicians up to speed quickly before they go onsite to provide service., and versatility are critical when making purchases.

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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

Sponsor Spotlight 22 Welcomes Wayne Garrett from Carrier Corporation

In the 22nd episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series, Bob Bolton, MCAA’s President-Elect is joined by Wayne Garrett, Managing Director, NA Applied Equipment for Carrier Corporation. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them.

Wayne Garrett comes to Carrier with over 27 years of industry experience in commercial equipment and control sales.  As Managing Director of NA Applied Systems he has P&L responsibility for all commercial equipment business including production factories in both Charlotte, NC. and Monterrey, MX.  In this role he oversees Applied equipment sales through all distribution channels as well as managing Carrier’s national accounts and global export business. Prior to joining Carrier, Wayne held various branch, regional, and corporate leadership roles within the industry.  He has led key marketing initiatives for healthy buildings and indoor air quality (IAQ), central plant optimization, optimized building wide systems’ platforms, and software as a service (SaaS) offerings. Wayne earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY and holds a Master of Science, M.S.M. degree in management from Colorado Technical University. 

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Safety Manual for Mechanical Service Technicians

Each week, MCAA will highlight one or more of the educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership. This week, we focus on MCAA’s newly revised Safety Manual for Mechanical Service Technicians. This quick reference tool provides critical information on 84 safety and health topics that are specific to work performed by mechanical service technicians, including information on the newest and most frequently used refrigerants, substantive changes to NFPA 70E, and new information on how to properly administer CPR.

Download the Manual

For additional, in-depth coverage of many of the topics in the manual, including training videos and materials, visit the Direct Links to MCAA & MSCA Safety Resources page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Pete Chaney.

OSHA COVID-19 ETS & New Guidance for Employers Not Covered by the Standard

OSHA recently released an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on COVID-19 covering settings where employees provide healthcare services or healthcare support services. Contractors providing healthcare support services, such as equipment and facility maintenance, may have to comply with several provisions in the ETS, such as establishing a COVID-19 plan, implementing precautions, requiring use of personal protective equipment, practicing physical distancing, using physical barriers, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, implementing health screening and medical management, supporting COVID-19 vaccinations, and providing appropriate training.

However, the standard does not apply to “well-defined hospital ambulatory care settings” where all employees are fully vaccinated, all non-employees are screened prior to entry, and people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not permitted to enter those settings. Ambulatory care means healthcare services performed on an outpatient basis, such as physician’s offices, hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgical centers, and specialty clinics. Affected employers must comply with most provisions of the standard within 14 days, and with the remaining provisions within 30 days. OSHA will use enforcement discretion to avoid citing employers who are making a good faith effort to comply with the ETS.

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Contractors whose employees are not providing healthcare support services are exempt from the ETS. However, OSHA has updated their guidelines for employers based on the most current guidance from the CDC. Employers are urged to comply with the updated guidelines, which direct employers to:

  • Grant paid time off for employees to get vaccinated;
  • Instruct workers who are infected, unvaccinated workers who have had close contact with someone who tested positive, and all workers with COVID-19 symptoms to stay home from work;
  • Implement physical distancing for unvaccinated and otherwise at-risk workers in all communal work areas;
  • Provide unvaccinated and otherwise at-risk workers with face coverings or surgical masks;
  • Educate and train workers on your company’s COVID-19 policies and procedures;
  • Suggest that unvaccinated customers, visitors, or guests wear face coverings;
  • Maintain ventilation systems;
  • Perform routine cleaning and disinfection;
  • Record and report COVID-19 infections and deaths;
  • Implement protections from retaliation;
  • Set up an anonymous process for workers to voice concerns about COVID-19-related hazards; and
  • Follow other applicable mandatory OSHA standards.

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Connect With the Latest Training from Johnson Controls, Inc. 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:

Johnson Controls, Inc.
For training services tailored to your specific needs, explore Johnson Controls courses and programs for all your HVAC Controls and Equipment, Fire Systems, and Security. From hands-on to CEU coursework, our comprehensive programs are designed to provide current industry knowledge about today’s connected building environments.

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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!

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Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

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

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Let’s Build A More Joyful Culture

Shola Richards

As time together at the MSCA Conference winds to a close, Shola Richards will take you on an insightful journey as he shares a refreshingly practical playbook to build and sustain a joyful workplace culture. You will learn actionable strategies to transform your work culture, amplify team civility, and inspire yourselves and others to consistently bring their best to their work.

Ten years ago, Shola was within seconds of ending his life when he uncovered a power within himself. That experience became the catalyst for his Go Together Movement – a transformational roadmap of mindset, behaviors, and tools that transform workplace cultures and drive results. Leveraging his personal experience and the Go Together framework, he is certain to help your organization build compassion, competence, and accountability in the workplace and, with sustainable and joyful peak productivity, engagement, and satisfaction becoming the new norm.

We look forward to seeing you at this year’s conference!
October 14 – 17 | Scottsdale, AZ

MCAA Sponsor Spotlight 24: Matt McGrath, Parker Hannifin

In the 24th episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series, Timothy Brink, MCAA’s CEO is joined by Matt McGrath, Global Channel & Distribution Manager, Sporlan Division for Parker Hannifin. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them.

In his role as Global Channel & Distribution Manager, Matt has overall responsibility for global distribution in the Americas for the Sporlan Division of Parker Hannifin.  Matt started his near 30 year career with Sporlan and Parker in 1992 as a sales engineer and has taken increasing roles of responsibility including Regional Sales Manager, Commercial OEM Sales Manager and now has lead the distribution & aftermarket segments for 12 years.  Matt has been involved with the MCAA and MSCA since the launch of ZoomLock in 2016 and has been involved on the MS/C supplier council for the past 2 years. Matt has a degree in Engineering Management from Southern Methodist University and resides in St. Louis, MO. 

Friday, July 23, 2021 | 2:00 p.m. EST

MCAA Sponsor Spotlight 23: Terry Dugan, Trane

In the 23rd episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series, Robert Beck, MCAA’s Senior Vice President/Treasurer welcomes Terry Dugan, Vice President – North America for Trane. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them.

Terry Dugan is vice president, Commercial HVAC North America at Trane Technologies. In this role, Terry is responsible for North America sales and operations for the Trane® Commercial HVAC portfolio of high efficiency, industry-leading HVAC systems, services, controls and energy reduction solutions. A 35+ year veteran of the company, Terry has propelled business growth, innovation and operational excellence through a variety of general management and global leadership roles of increasing responsibility. Prior to his current role, Terry served as vice president for the company’s Building and Energy Services business. He also serves as the lead director for Trane Technologies on the Mitsubishi Electric Trane U.S. (METUS) board of directors. Terry holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Vanderbilt University and earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business.

Friday, June 25, 2021 | 2:00 p.m. EST

Stay Prepared with Cohen Seglias’ Material Cost Escalation Package

Every day, the construction attorneys at Cohen Seglias are approached by clients as to how to address the current crisis due to the significant fluctuation in pricing in construction materials, equipment, and energy. Whether the product in question is steel, copper, glass or lumber, we have seen prices rise since the re-opening of the economy with some commodities hitting a 100% price increase according to some indices. Who is responsible for the burden of the price increases? Unfortunately, like with COVID-19, owners, construction managers, contractors, and subcontractors are all arriving at different answers. 

The Construction Contracts & Risk Management Group at Cohen Seglias has prepared sample notice letters for use on jobs where construction has or is about to resume under pre-existing contracts. We are also providing you with language to add to your change orders and monthly releases. Also, we have included sample language to place in your contracts and proposals to help protect you in the event of a future price escalation. These are extremely difficult clauses to negotiate. 

Understand that these forms may need to be revised to fit your particular circumstances. The attorneys of Cohen Seglias stand ready to provide you with assistance, when needed.

DOWNLOAD PACKAGE

Find the Latest from Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.® and Lochinvar, LLC in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.® a Member of Morris Group International
Smith’s patented cloverleaf-style trap primer distribution unit simply and effectively distributes water among up to four traps. A variety of outlet types are available, and our push-in fittings are a great labor saver—simply push the pipe into the fitting to complete the connection! Visit us online to learn more.

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Lochinvar, LLC
Lochinvar, a leading manufacturer of high efficiency boilers, water heaters, pool heaters and sustainable options offers space and water heating solutions for virtually any application.

Learn More

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Insights from Ridge Tool Company on Stocking Your Truck With the Right Gear to Get the Job Done

With technology changing at a rapid pace, adding new tools to your truck can provide a quick productivity boost. Keep in mind that a tool’s weight, size, overall portability, and versatility are critical when making purchases.

LEARN MORE

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

Recruit Top Talent & Apply for MCAA Internship Grants Today!

In keeping with its commitment to funding the mechanical contracting industry’s most critical human resource needs, the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) underwrites many of the activities of the MCAA Career Development Initiative. Chief among these is an internship program that allows MCAA members to identify and evaluate potential full-time hires for their companies.  

Through a structured internship program, MCAA enables its members to recruit talented students, giving members a flexible, cost-effective labor force without a long-term commitment. And, because students who work for MCAA member companies tend to remain in the mechanical contracting industry, each one captured is another step toward ensuring the industry’s human resource needs are met.  

Each MCAA member company can submit up to two internship grant applications per year. Once an application is reviewed and accepted, MCAA will send a $500 Visa Gift Card to the member company so it can present the Gift Card to the student at the start of their internship. MCAA will follow-up with each company and intern to ensure the process and overall internship was successful.

Please read Building a Successful Internship Program before applying for an internship grant. 

APPLY NOW

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Safety Manual for Mechanical Construction Workers

Each week, MCAA will highlight one or more of the educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership. This week, we focus on MCAA’s newly revised Safety Manual for Mechanical Construction Workers. This quick reference tool provides critical information on everything from aerial lift safety to preventing overexposure to zinc to keep mechanical construction workers safe. It includes new information on administering CPR, beryllium, recent changes to NFPA 70E, and more.

Download the Manual

For additional, in-depth coverage of many of the topics in the manual, including training videos and materials, visit the Direct Links to MCAA & MSCA Safety Resources page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Pete Chaney.

Learn to Be Your Best

Come together at this year’s MSCA Conference for a motivating and entertaining general session that will help you be your best when it matters most. Kevin Brown, author of The HERO Effect, will show you how to achieve greater results by eliminating “ordinary” thinking and mastering the habit of excellence. Own the moments that matter (and they all matter) by taking responsibility for your attitude, actions, and results and creating meaningful relationships that deliver an extraordinary experience for every “customer,” both at work and at home. This program delivers actionable ideas that every leader can implement immediately to begin creating a culture of excellence at every level in their organization.

During this session, MSCA will present the Everyday Hero Award to one of our industry’s unsung heroes. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn about one of your peers who does extraordinary things every day, simply out of the kindness of their heart. If this sounds like someone you know, there’s still time to nominate them for the award. Nominations are due by August 1, 2021.

NOMINATION FORM

We look forward to seeing you at this year’s conference!
October 14 – 17 | Scottsdale, AZ

Watch Past Webinar with Joe Montana on Mindset and the Power of a Winning Spirit (in Business and in Life)

You can now watch our latest webinar from June 17th with football legend turned entrepreneur, Joe Montana, co-hosted by BuildOps CEO and Co-founder, Alok Chanani. Joe shares his take on leadership, teamwork, and how to be your best in every situation with real life examples on and off the field.

Widely considered the best NFL quarterback of all time, Joe Montana personifies performance excellence and personal integrity both on and off the field. Yet the word most closely associated with him is not winner — it’s leader. He led the 49ers to 4 Super Bowl wins with unflappable poise and will forever be known as one of the toughest quarterbacks of all time.

Since his retirement in 1994, Joe has been active and successful in the Venture Capital world. In 1998 he co-founded the fund of funds, HRJ Capital, where he was an acting partner until 2004. At his departure, HRJ Capital was managing over $900M and investing across venture funds, leverage buyouts, hedge funds and real estate. In 2005 Joe co-founded Modern Bank, a commercial bank based in New York City which specializes in commercial loans and remains active today. He served as a board member from 2005 until 2010, when he began angel investing under the mentorship of Ron Conway. A handful of his investments include Pinterest, DropBox, Weave, CoreOS, ShipBob, OpenListings (acquired by OpenDoor), and Caliva. During this time, he also became an early investor in House Spirits, which recently sold off their Aviation Gin to Diageo, later made famous by Ryan Reynolds. In 2015, Joe turned his passion for investing into Liquid 2 Ventures, and brought together the core partners that still remain today.

WATCH VIDEO

The Next Qualified Level Arc Flash Safety Training Webinars Scheduled for June 17, 2021

Make sure your service techs have the up-to-date safety training they need to protect themselves from arc flash and electrical shock hazards while working on equipment pushing 480 volts or less. The session covers all applicable OSHA requirements, NFPA 70E provisions, best practices, and real-world accident information.

VIEW BROCHURE

The next two webinars will be presented on June 17, 2021. The first webinar will take place from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ET, and the second is from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET.

REGISTER TODAY

Take advantage of the MCAA/MSCA member discounted webinar prices below.

PRICING:

# of Trainees (per company)Cost (per person)
1-5$200/person
6-10$175/person
11-25$150/person
26-50$125/person
51-100$100/person
101+Email for Pricing

If you can’t make it in June, the webinar will be taught again twice on July 29, 2021. Questions? Contact Pete Chaney.