First Labor Estimating Manual Unlocks a Slice of MCAA History

Glenn Rex received a slice of MCAA history when Jim Reynolds gave him the very first copy of MCAA’s Labor Estimating Manual (LEM), precursor to today’s WebLEM. The book bearing Serial No. 0001 was issued to Jack Thompson of the George Linsky Company in Dallas, the first chair of MCAA’s Labor Estimating Manual Committee. Formed in 1968 to develop the manual, the committee achieved their task when the first LEM was published in 1971. Jack’s contributions to those efforts earned him the MCAA Distinguished Service Award in 1980.

Glenn Rex manages four Texas associations: the MCA of Dallas, Inc.; the MCA of Texas, Inc.; the MCA of Fort Worth; and the MCA of Houston, Inc. Jim Reynolds manages the MCA of Austin, Inc. and is the Administrative Vice President at the MCA of Texas, Inc.

Jim received the manual from Jay Thompson, Jack’s son. It was accompanied by a copy of the September 1984 issue of Plumbing & Mechanical, which includes an article highlighting Jack. Upon reading the article, Glenn Rex said, “It is remarkable how the issues and challenges Thompson discussed are so similar to those facing the industry today.”