MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is where field leaders realize their importance and value as professionals and members of the management team. Conference attendees will learn: to view themselves as professionals, the importance of the bottom line, why customer relationships matter, how to establish tangible goals, how they can work “smarter”, what it means to be a great foreman, and so much more.
MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is where field leaders realize their importance and value as professionals and members of the management team. Conference attendees will learn: to view themselves as professionals, the importance of the bottom line, why customer relationships matter, how to establish tangible goals, how they can work “smarter”, what it means to be a great foreman, and so much more.
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 manufactures cast iron and plastic pipe and fittings for the plumbing industry, all proudly made in the USA.
Belimo Aircontrols Belimo Energy Valve utilizes advanced analytic technology to leverage captured system data to improve coil and system performance for increased energy savings. Energy savings you can see. #SmallDevicesBigImpact
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!
Connect With Additional Manufacturer/Supplier Training
Save yourself time and let MCAA connect you to the latest Manufacturer/Supplier member’s training opportunities. Visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of the Resource Center to get started.
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. MCAA’s Personal Protective Equipment Safety & Health Resources include 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. These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.
Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources
Explore the the full range of resources for mechanical service contractors, including resources that are also of interest to mechanical construction and plumbing contractors, using the blue Find A Resource bar on our website or browse our collection of 700+ safety and health resources.
Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?
Contact MCAA’s Executive Director for Safety, Health, and Risk Management.
The Precedent and Voyager with Symbio 700 program provides the technical knowledge and skills required to start- up, service and troubleshoot Precedent units with Symbio 700 controls and is intended to familiarize technicians with the new Precedent with Symbio 700 controls rooftop unit. This course will cover new product information with an emphasis on the Symbio 700 control platform.
Course Objectives:
Sequence of operation
Diagnose and troubleshoot
Wiring schematics
Verify and adjust airflow
700 control platform
Symbio mobile app
Staged and modulating heat
Economizer control
This course is intended for new Precedent units with Symbio 700 controls. This course does not cover legacy Precedent with Reliatel controls. Instructor Zach Roberson of Trane.
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:
CNA E-TALK SERIES – CNA’s e-Talks provide tips & resources to help your business thrive in an uncertain risk environment.
MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Frank Favaro, the founder and President of ServeCentric Coaching in Cleveland, OH. Frank teaches leaders, sales employees, project managers, and others where companies drop the ball and how to avoid those same mistakes while improving customer interactions, relationships and service.
As the first CX Coach certified by the renowned DiJulius Group, Frank has set a high bar in the customer experience domain. His approach, distinguished by impressive credentials and holistic methods, was shaped during his successful tenure as one of MSCA’s top account executives from 2016 to 2020.
“I’ve lived and breathed the challenges and triumphs of this industry. Now, my mission is to empower others with the strategies that led to my success.”
Frank Favaro, Instructor, NEI Customer Experience Seminars (CES)
At the core of Frank’s philosophy is the conviction that the pinnacle of sales and marketing effectiveness lies in delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Frank’s Customer Experience Seminars (CES) offer an immersive and insightful journey, specifically designed for individuals engaged in customer and employee interactions who play a key role in driving profitability.
With a focus on practical strategies and real-world scenarios, the CES courses will explore several pain points that many companies face in maintaining consistent service quality and effective customer communication.
The courses include:
CES 101: Service Excellence Made Simple – Building a strong foundation in customer service.
CES 102: Proven Customer Acquisition Strategies – Effective approaches to attracting new clients.
CES 103: Growth Through Retention – Expanding Business Without Chasing Strangers – Expanding your business by keeping existing customers satisfied.
CES 104: Climbing to the Top of the Relationship Ladder – Techniques for developing deeper client relationships.
CES 105: Effectively Navigating Pricing Conversations – Best practices for discussing pricing with customers.
CES 106: Service Recovery: Turning Mistakes into Wins – How to recover from service failures and turn them into opportunities.
CES 107: The Recognition Advantage: How to Make Work Fun, Competitive & Performance-Driven – Creating a performance-driven, competitive, and fun work environment.
CES 108: The Customer Service Secrets of Industry Leaders – Learning from the best in the business.
CES 109: Coaching Managers to Be Coaches: Developing High-Performing Leaders – Building a high-performance culture through leadership development.
CES 110: Frontline Excellence: Nailing Customer Interactions – Mastering the art of customer-facing interactions.
Like our other NEI instructors, Frank brings his unique blend of industry and teaching experience to virtual courses. Providing top notch, accessible education for everyone in your organization is what the MCAA’s NEI is all about! Visit the NEI website for more information about these seminars and a full list of the NEI courses available to MCAA members.
Book your courses via the NEI website, then apply for a 20% rebate on the instructor fees, up to $5,000 per class.This benefit is available only to MCAA members and local affiliates in good standing who book courses via the NEI website. Learn more about the rebate program here. Have questions or need personal assistance? Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall or call him at 301-990-2215.
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:
Jonas Construction Software JONAS ENTERPRISE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE – A fully integrated and automated construction management software solution for everyday life.
Morris Group International Vacuum plumbing systems are an effective alternative to gravity piping systems, with benefits in service, maintenance, health, safety, and welfare. AcornVac is a brand of Morris Group International.
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!
Connect With Additional Manufacturer/Supplier Training
Save yourself time and let MCAA connect you to the latest Manufacturer/Supplier member’s training opportunities. Visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of the Resource Center to get started.
If you want to fast-track your new and aspiring field leaders in 2025, MCAA has just the program! Foundations of Field Leadership begins April 3rd: once a week for 8 weeks, students spend 90 minutes online with an experienced field leader, who will walk them through best practices and practical strategies of running work and running a crew.
From Planning to Leadership, from Documentation to Safety: our instructors break down the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of things that every foreman must understand to be successful. The course itself is made up of weekly online lectures with real-time student interaction, quizzes, and short video assignments. Here’s what our past grads had to say about their experience in Foundations of Field Leadership:
“Very easy to listen to the instructor, very knowledgeable and personable.”
“I like learning from someone with a lot of experience and learning how to do the job more efficiently.”
“I appreciated [the instructor’s] content. I’ve been in the trade for 25 years and have only been running work for the last 3 years. I’ve either been in or around all the situations [the instructor] spoke about and appreciated his insight. Great ways to handle things.”
“The information was delivered clearly and was easy to understand. It gave everyone the chance to apply their thoughts and comments.”
“[I appreciated the instructor] acknowledging the fact that being in this class is a step forward in my career, and [it] feels good to know my hard work and dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed by my company.”
The deadline to sign up is March 27th. There is no limit on how many new or potential field leaders an MCAA member can enroll, but registration will be done on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visit the FFL course webpage to learn more about this exciting opportunity for new and future field leaders, and to sign your people up today!
MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is where field leaders realize their importance and value as professionals and members of the management team. Conference attendees will learn: to view themselves as professionals, the importance of the bottom line, why customer relationships matter, how to establish tangible goals, how they can work “smarter”, what it means to be a great foreman, and so much more.
Motor vehicle fatalities are on the rise each year, with most accidents stemming from unsafe driving, substance abuse, insufficient driver training, and poor vehicle maintenance. MCAA’s Fleet Safety for Mechanical Service and Construction Supervisors gives supervisors the tools to address this growing crisis by improving fleet safety through better training programs, stricter maintenance protocols, and enhanced driver monitoring systems. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.
This video will help your supervisors understand:
How to properly screen their drivers
The components of effective driver training
How to monitor driver behavior and
How to ensure proper inspection and maintenance of the company’s fleet
AI isn’t the future—it’s the NOW of plumbing service, and it’s revolutionizing the way contractors operate. At this year’s PCA Plumbing Service Conference, featured speaker Jonathan Slain will break down how artificial intelligence (AI) can streamline workflows, reduce errors, and lower costs through real-world solutions built for plumbing professionals.
Unlock Practical AI Solutions for Plumbing Contractors
This isn’t just theory—Jonathan Slain will introduce contractor-specific AI tools like Autobahn and CountThings, designed to automate tedious processes and boost operational efficiency. Learn how AI can help you scale your business without adding unnecessary overhead, drive sustainable growth, and maximize profitability.
Tailored to You: Practical, Jargon-Free Insights
This high-impact keynote is designed for contractors, service leaders, and business owners who want practical AI solutions—without the tech jargon. You’ll leave with actionable insights and tools that you can immediately apply to your operations.
A Conference Full of Opportunities
In addition to Jonathan Slain’s keynote, the PCA Plumbing Service Conference offers a variety of other valuable experiences:
Exclusive Facility Tours – Get an inside look at Murphy Company, a leader in the industry, and Local 562, where innovation meets workforce development.
Engaging Sessions & Discussions – Dive into best practices, emerging trends, and real-world solutions that can transform your business.
Networking & Collaboration – Exchange ideas with fellow professionals who understand the unique demands of the plumbing service industry.
Register today and be a part of the next generation of plumbing service innovation!
The construction industry is facing unprecedented challenges with ongoing and evolving tariffs on essential materials like steel, aluminum, and copper — and the impacts are rippling through the supply chain. Join our expert panel as we break down our thoughts and forecasts on the real-world implications of these tariffs. From understanding the current tariff landscape to anticipating future increases and how suppliers and manufacturers are responding, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge to manage rising costs and protect your business. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and prepare for what’s next in construction industry economics!
This webinar was recorded Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Discussion on Safety/Arc Flash Prevention
Basic Electricity
AC vs. DC Power, Circuit Types, Magnetism Break for Lunch Prime Movers – Diesel and Gaseous
Fuel Systems – Diesel, Natural Gas and Propane
Frequency – Electronic Isochronous vs. Mechanical Droop Governors
Day 2 (7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Review of Previous Day’s Information
Generator Controls
Generator Protective Devices and Safeties
Generator Sizing/Motor Starting Break for Lunch Fundamentals of Voltage Regulation
Power Factor and the Effect of Various Load Types
Load Banking Fundamentals
Day 3 (7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Review of Previous Day’s Information
Transfer Switches
Paralleling Generators
Generator Operation and Logic Break for Lunch Switchgear and the Importance of Switchgear Controls
Paralleling to Utility
Controlling Air-Fuel Ratio and Emissions
Engine, Generator and Fuel Maintenance
If interested, contact Brad Tisdale at bct@ua449.com.
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:
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.
Weldbend Corporation Weldbend manufactures ó” to 60” carbon steel fittings (Grades WPB to High Yield) and flanges (Classes 150 through 2500 & Grades A105 to High Yield). Weldbend fittings and flanges are available in schedules STD through XXS.
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!
Connect With Additional Manufacturer/Supplier Training
Save yourself time and let MCAA connect you to the latest Manufacturer/Supplier member’s training opportunities. Visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of the Resource Center to get started.
If you want to fast-track your new and aspiring field leaders in 2025, MCAA has just the program! Foundations of Field Leadership begins April 3rd: once a week for 8 weeks, students spend 90 minutes online with an experienced field leader, who will walk them through best practices and practical strategies of running work and running a crew.
From Planning to Leadership, from Documentation to Safety: our instructors break down the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of things that every foreman must understand to be successful. The course itself is made up of weekly online lectures with real-time student interaction, quizzes, and short video assignments. Here’s what our past grads had to say about their experience in Foundations of Field Leadership:
“Very easy to listen to the instructor, very knowledgeable and personable.”
“I like learning from someone with a lot of experience and learning how to do the job more efficiently.”
“I appreciated [the instructor’s] content. I’ve been in the trade for 25 years and have only been running work for the last 3 years. I’ve either been in or around all the situations [the instructor] spoke about and appreciated his insight. Great ways to handle things.”
“The information was delivered clearly and was easy to understand. It gave everyone the chance to apply their thoughts and comments.”
“[I appreciated the instructor] acknowledging the fact that being in this class is a step forward in my career, and [it] feels good to know my hard work and dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed by my company.”
The deadline to sign up is March 27th. There is no limit on how many new or potential field leaders an MCAA member can enroll, but registration will be done on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visit the FFL course webpage to learn more about this exciting opportunity for new and future field leaders, and to sign your people up today!
MCAA25 helped attendees ‘Find Their Rhythm’ in Austin, Texas, with an unforgettable week of inspiration, education, and connection.
President Rick Gopffarth expressed gratitude to the United Association (UA), General President Mark McManus, UA leadership, affiliated local association executives, and manufacturer and supplier members for their unwavering support and integral role in MCAA.
The week featured key remarks from UA General President McManus, who emphasized the strength of the UA/MCAA partnership. Main stage speakers, including Jeremy Gutsche, Kendall Toole, James Lawrence, Tim Tebow, and Kevin Griffin, provided valuable insights and entertainment. Educational sessions equipped members for the year ahead, while the Manufacturer/Supplier Council Exhibit facilitated networking and industry collaboration.
MCAA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award (DSA), was presented to Tim Moormeier. The award recognizes a legacy of service and dedication to advancing the mechanical contracting industry. Moormeier played a pivotal role in developing MCAA’s WebLEM, modernizing the Labor Estimating Manual, and transforming the way we estimate projects. His family joined him on stage for the surprise presentation during the opening session.
MCAA President Gopffarth Welcomes Attendees to AustinUA General President Mark McManusTim Moormeier and President GopffarthParthiv Amin and MCAA President GopffarthKathy McCauley and MCAA President GopffarthJohn Ferrucci and MCAA President GopffarthBob Snyder and MCAA President GopffarthRobert Beck and MCAA President GopffarthPresident Brian Hughes and Immediate Past President Rick Gopffarth
On Thursday, MCAA’s Political Action Committee awarded a signed Bryan Adams guitar to Ana Cordoba after successfully raising $20,000 through a raffle.
President Gopffarth recognized the contributions of retiring MCAA Board of Directors members, stating, “Each of these Board members has contributed tremendously to strengthening this industry, and we want to recognize their service and thank them.”
Honorees:
Parthiv Amin (SLOAN)
Kathy McCauley (McCauley Mechanical Construction)
John Ferrucci (F&F Mechanical Enterprises)
Bob Snyder (Binsky & Snyder, LLC)
Robert Beck (John W. Danforth Company)
During the Closing General Session, President Gopffarth delivered his final remarks before passing the MCAA presidential gavel to his successor, Brian Hughes. Hughes expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am honored by this opportunity and will do my best.” As a token of appreciation, MCAA gifted Gopffarth a family vacation to Cabo.
President Hughes acknowledged the national officers serving on MCAA’s Executive Committee and introduced the newest members of the Board of Directors.
Joining President Hughes on the Executive Committee are:
President-Elect Curtis Harbour from Brandt, a Southland Industries Company
Senior Vice President and Treasurer Michael Russo from Fresh Meadow Mechanical
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer Scott Hinton from Enerfab
Immediate Past President Rick Gopffarth from Dynamic Systems
The newest contractor members of MCAA’s Board of Directors, elected to three-year terms, are:
Kane Armistead (Armistead Mechanical, Inc. Services)
Brad Davis (P1 Construction, LLC)
Alan Milby (MIINC, L.P.)
Joe Pesci (GEM Inc.)
Kristie Upton (Trane)
John Ziemann (Mollenberg-Betz)
In his address, President Hughes outlined key industry trends and MCAA’s strategic plan. He described the industry’s current transformation as a modern industrial revolution, emphasizing MCAA’s commitment to helping members maximize growth.
Hughes welcomed the increasing investment from venture capital and private equity in MCAA member companies, seeing it as well-deserved recognition of the industry’s value. He reassured members that political changes would not hinder the industry’s momentum, given its strength and resilience.
MCAA’s strategic plan for the year focuses on four key initiatives:
Strengthening collaboration with other building trades associations through shared technology, advocacy, and training.
Expanding opportunities for manufacturer and supplier partners through enhanced membership and event offerings.
Bolstering support and resources for local Association Executives.
Enhancing member engagement through a revamped, user-friendly website and extended outreach to contractors.
Hughes concluded by acknowledging the contributions of contractors and UA partners, emphasizing their role in sustaining jobs and financial stability for countless workers and families.
Save the Date: MCAA26
Looking ahead, MCAA26 will take place in Phoenix, Arizona, from March 15-19, 2026. Mark your calendars and join us for another impactful convention.
Unplanned events, circumstances and factors may impact a construction project’s outcome, productivity and schedule. MCAA’s Change Orders, Productivity, Overtime—A Primer for the Construction Industry assists contractors in identifying obstacles to a successful project, and proactively managing these obstacles to mitigate or eliminate their impact to the bottom line. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.
The primer covers key topics in each of the title areas:
Change Orders
How to Identify and Manage Change Orders
How to Organize and Submit a Claim
Integrated, Cooperative, and Collaborative CPM Scheduling…a Roadmap to Success
The Importance of Obtaining the Prime Contractor’s Native CPM Scheduling Files
Time Impact Analysis—Measuring Project Delay
Identifying, Quantifying and Preventing BIM-Related Cost and Time Impacts NEW
Concurrent Delay
Productivity
Maintaining Control of Labor Productivity
Factors Affecting Labor Productivity
Connecting the “Cause” and “Effect” in Loss of Productivity Claims
How to Use the MCAA Labor Factors
How to Apply the Measured Mile Method of Productivity Analysis
How to Estimate the Effects of Cumulative Impacts
Overtime
How to Estimate the Impacts of Overtime on Labor Productivity
Shift Work and its Effects on Productivity
MCAA members can download it free as a benefit of membership. Printed copies are also available for purchase.
All content was developed by MCAA’s Management Methods Committee with assistance from industry experts. The committee also publishes a series of Management Methods Bulletins. Visit the Management Methods Bulletins page to explore the full range of available content.