Archives: News Items

Beyond the Classroom Video Series: The Power of Networking

In this month’s Beyond the Classroom video, hear about the power of networking from former Wentworth Institute of Technology student, Nolan Rochler. 

Nolan is now a Project Engineer at J.C. Higgins and credits his learning and growth in the industry to those he had met at networking events through his student chapter. Upon graduating, he found this network to be quite useful. “You have people who are there to help you. They help you find endless opportunities. By coming to these events, you are able to build such a strong network and basically go anywhere,” Nolan shared. 

Participating in MCAA’s Annual Student Chapter Competition was also an invaluable experience for Nolan. He says really learning, understanding and dissecting a real-life project, is unlike any other learning process. Nolan reminds current students to take these learning and networking opportunities and “make it whatever you want to make it.” People in this industry welcome you in, respect you, and give you the opportunity to learn and grow. Use them to help set you up for success–Nolan certainly has!

Upcoming Beyond the Classroom videos will continue to showcase opportunities available to MCAA student chapter members and MCAA members alike who choose careers in the mechanical industry.

MCAA’s Annual Student Chapter Competition Projects Due Monday, December 7th!

MCAA has recently made the difficult decision to cancel our 2021 Annual Convention and hold MCAA’s first ever Virtual Education Conference. This conference will feature all traditional, highly anticipated MCAA events including, top notch education seminars, our virtual trade show/exhibit, and of course, the impressive Annual Student Chapter Competition. While this will be a new format, MCAA is committed to setting each of the Final Four teams up for success as they prepare to present their projects. Below is a timeline that provides an overview of how the Annual Student Competition will run for 2021. 

Monday, December 7th, all student chapter competition projects are due in Procore. All student chapters will be provided with their project results on Friday, January 15th. MCAA will then work with each of the Final Four teams to prepare for the Final Four presentations, including a technology requirement review and a thorough rehearsal. Final Four presentations will follow the standard time, twelve minutes per presentation, with ten minutes for Q&A. These presentations will be recorded then released to MCAA’s membership on Monday, March 22nd to kick-off MCAA’s Virtual Education Conference. 

We understand this is new, but MCAA’s Career Development Committee will be there every step of the way. Stay tuned for more information and registration details. If you have any questions, please reach out to MCAA’s Director of Career Development, Megan Walsh at mwalsh@mcaa.org.

MCAA Welcomes Frank Wall as Executive Director, Operations

Frank Wall has joined the MCAA staff as the association’s Executive Director, Operations. Frank is no stranger to MCAA. He was the Executive Director of the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association of Oregon for 12 years, followed by two years as the Executive Vice President of the M&SCA of Eastern Pennsylvania. During that time, he was also Chair of MCAA’s Association Executives Council. “I am personally excited to work with such a professional staff,” Frank said.

In his new role, Frank serves as Executive Director of the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF). He also focuses his attentions on MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) and Management Methods Committee.

Frank’s extensive experience in leadership development will serve him well in another aspect of his job, handling the human resources function for MCAA.

Frank and his wife, Colleen, have two sons and are expecting their first grandchild in January.

Applications for MCAA’s 2020 JRGF Student Chapter Grants Due September 14th!

JRGF provides funding through grants to help chapters cover the costs of projects, participation in the annual MCAA Student Chapter Competition, field trips, scholarships and travel to MCAA events. 

A Chapter of Excellence Grant is for chapters that are well-established and thriving but need additional funds for student scholarships, travel to MCAA events, special projects, field trips or other chapter operations. The grant is divided accordingly: 

  • $7,500 Chapter of Excellence Grant 
    • $5,000 Student Scholarships 
    • $2,500 Chapter Operations & Projects 

An Emerging Chapter Grant is for new or rebuilding student chapters to help cover the cost of student scholarships, travel to MCAA events, special projects, field trips or other chapter operations. The $3,000 grant is for either student scholarships or chapter operations. 

Deadline: September 14, 2020

Completed applications are due to Megan Walsh at mwalsh@mcaa.org by Monday, September 14th.

REGISTER NOW

Thank You for Supporting Your Foundation

Please join us in saying thank you to the MCAA members who have given to the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) in 2020. Their support enables the JRGF to identify and work to solve the issues that confront the organized mechanical construction and service industry, challenges such as future workforce, productivity and technology.

Your peers supporting these vital efforts in 2020 are:

  • Arden Engineering Constructors, LLC
  • Binsky & Snyder, LLC
  • CCI Mechanical, Inc.
  • CFI Mechanical, Inc.
  • Cleveland Plumbing Industry Promotional and Education Fund
  • CPMCA
  • Dynamics Systems, Inc.
  • Eastern Iowa/Western Illinois MCA
  • Ferguson
  • Harrell-Fish, Inc.
  • Hughes Environmental Engineering, Inc.
  • John W Danforth Company
  • JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Services, Inc.
  • Kinetics Systems, Inc. – (Bill Bianco Scholarship)
  • MCA of Akron, Ohio, Inc.
  • MCA of Greater Springfield, Missouri
  • MCA of Indiana, Inc.
  • MCA of Kansas City
  • MCA of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.
  • MCA of Rockford, Inc.
  • MCA/MSCA of New York, Inc.
  • McCauley Mechanical Construction, Inc.
  • Mechanical Contracting Industry Fund of Cleveland
  • Michael F. Russo
  • Mid-Atlantic MCA
  • Nooter Construction Company
  • North Mechanical Contracting, Inc.
  • Piping and Service Industry Coalition
  • Poole & Kent Corporation
  • Service Fitters Industry Promotional Fund of New York
  • The John F. Gallagher Company
  • West Chester Mechanical Contractors
  • Western New York Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors, Inc.

Learn more and donate on the JRGF website.

Beyond the Classroom Video Series: Real-World Experience Matters

In this month’s edition of Beyond the Classroom, Peter Gebert, a Washington State University student, talks about the highlights of being involved in his student chapter and how that involvement has led to more learning opportunities, hands-on experience, and ultimately two internships with McKinstry.

Gebert’s interest in Mechanical Contracting was piqued while on a field trip to Seattle, “I’m walking through all these high rises and they are putting in all this HVAC, heating, plumbing, electrical and that really kind of got me going.” Gebert said. “Wow, there is so much you can do, there is so much going on in construction other than concrete and steel.”

Upcoming Beyond the Classroom videos will showcase how MCAA student chapter members and MCAA members alike are benefiting from the program. They will also share the opportunities available to students who choose careers in the mechanical industry.

MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program Finishes Week 2

MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program has kicked off! Each of the 17 presentations is meant to help students navigate the proposal and bid process for the annual MCAA Student Chapter Competition project.  

Did we mention registration is free and you only have to register once for ALL of the presentations!

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with the MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program website login instructions. This website includes:

  • All virtual program details;
  • Presentation descriptions;
  • Speaker overviews; and 
  • A full agenda with links to join the live sessions!

We encourage you to attend as many presentations live to interact with fellow students and engage with the presenters in the presentation Q&A. If you are unable to attend any of the sessions live, don’t you worry, the recorded presentations will be posted on MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program website AFTER the live session.

MCAA is sending a weekly Monday reminder email to registered attendees, highlighting the presentations for that week. Don’t forget to add them to your calendar!

MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program is sponsored by

REGISTER NOW

Beyond the Classroom Video Series: Finding Longevity in Your Career

In this month’s Beyond the Classroom, meet Sarabeth Gandara, a Preconstruction Engineer at U.S. Engineering. Gandara is a past MCAA Student Chapter member and an Architectural Engineering graduate from Milwaukee School of Engineering. In the video segment, Gandara talks about her experiences with MCAA and how the mechanical contracting industry is the perfect mix of technical and personal relationships. Sarabeth shares the importance of looking for a position with a company that has viable longevity.

Gandara is currently a member of the MCAA Career Development Committee, which is made up of member contractors, whose aim is to provide education and resources to student chapter members. The committee’s goal is to connect students with members by creating networking and employment opportunities while ultimately cultivating the next generation of industry leaders in mechanical contracting.

Upcoming Beyond the Classroom videos will showcase how MCAA student chapter members and MCAA members alike are benefiting from the program. They will also share the opportunities available to students who choose careers in the mechanical industry.

MCA of Chicago Hosts Summer Interns

The mechanical contracting industry provides many career paths, and that includes the opportunity to work for an MCA local affiliated association. This summer, MCA of Chicago has two interns, Judie Prophete and Ervin Prophete. They are learning about how an association is managed and how the MCA of Chicago provides resources and education to its members.

MCA of Chicago Director of Communications Abby Baughan said, “It’s been great having Judie and Ervin working with us this summer. They’re bright, hard-working and make great additions to our team. When I was in college, I knew very little about association work and mechanical contracting. Like most people, I sort of fell into it. I think it’s great that, as college students, Judie and Ervin are being introduced to this world filled with so much opportunity. I hope this internship opens their eyes to all of the possible career paths that are available to them.”

Meet Judie Prophete

Judie is an incoming senior at DePaul University, studying accounting and business management.

“As the accounting intern and administrative assistant for the MCA of Chicago, I spend the majority of my time helping our Director of Finance, Susan Rocque, with various tasks and projects. The other part of my time is spent doing administrative work around the office and helping where I am needed. I am learning a lot about accounting and finance, gaining a lot of new experience and learning a lot about what it is like to work in an office setting.”

During her internship, Judie hopes to continue learning more about the professional workplace and about programs and tools that are specific to her field of study. She also hopes to gain more confidence so she is prepared to enter the business world.

“From what I have seen in the month that I have been interning here, there are a lot of aspects of the professional workplace that school cannot prepare you for. The only way to truly learn these things and succeed is to actually be put in those situations and just do the best you can with what you have. I am fortunate enough to be learning those things surrounded by welcoming, forgiving and patient co-workers in a friendly and positive work environment.”

Meet Ervin Prophete

Ervin Prophete is a senior at DePaul University in Chicago, studying public relations and advertising.

Ervin is a marketing intern. His responsibilities include creating and posting graphics on social media, helping Director of Communications Abby Baughan with compiling the weekly emails, scheduling events on the MCA of Chicago Facebook page and updating the MCA website with future events and classes.

Ervin talked about what he hopes to get out of this internship. “I have learned a lot so far in this internship and feel that every day I step in the office is a day I gain more knowledge about the marketing world. I am hoping to just learn as much as I can and become proficient in the tools I have been introduced to in my time here so far. By the end, I would like to be able to use the knowledge I will have gained to do some freelance work while I finish school.”

MCA of Chicago Career Development

MCA of Chicago members are also focused on getting talented students into the mechanical contracting industry, even if they do not follow the typical academic path.

Brandon Hubner of Premier Mechanical, Inc., shared his company’s unique insight about hiring the right talent:

“The way the Premier has looked at hiring is that a person’s major focus of study or background is less important than the skills that they bring to the table and how well they can help round out our team and add value with other talents that they have. Construction, and mechanical contracting even more so, is a unique industry and every system we install is different. Rarely are two buildings built identically, or with the same team of general contractors and subcontractors. If systems and teams are rarely the same, then why always hire from within the same field of study? In our experience, we can better tackle unique projects with unique individuals. Given the number of variables there are to construction, we would be passing over a lot of really good candidates if we focused just on construction management and mechanical engineering majors.”

McElroy’s Inc. Intern Receives MCAA Internship Grant

McElroy’s Inc., an MCA of Kansas City member, presented Parker Beal with an MCAA Internship Grant at the start of his 2020 summer internship. The grant is funded by the John R. Gentille Foundation. Parker said, “This grant will help me continue to fund my college degree and expenses. I see this not only as a great learning opportunity, but also as a motivation to tell other interns in the future about what I have learned and experienced in the mechanical industry.”

This is Parker’s third consecutive internship with McElroy’s Inc. The Architectural Engineering student has a particular interest in MEP. After he graduates from the University of Kansas in the spring of 2022, he intends to pursue a master’s degree in Business Administration.

This summer, Parker is using BIM software and other programs to aid in design and load calculations for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems in both commercial and industrial buildings. He will be shadowing Vice President Wade Jueneman, head of commercial construction for McElroy’s Inc.

“McElroy’s has given me valuable opportunities to help further my understanding and knowledge in the mechanical industry,” Parker said of his experiences. “I’m looking forward to developing my skills to transform ideas into design solutions and then see my work in action.”

About the MCAA Internship Grants

Having MCAA interns working at member companies is a win-win for the mechanical contracting industry. Employers get top talent and build a pipeline of future employees. Students gain experience, create connections, develop skills and further their interest in mechanical contracting. In paying the student instead of the employer, MCAA’s goal is to increase the overall number of interns and drive the overall number of talented employees accepting full-time positions with MCAA members after graduation.

How the Grant Application Process Works

The MCAA member company will first ensure a prospective intern is in good standing at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or technical school. While MCAA encourages its members to give priority to students from the MCAA Student Chapter Program, this is not a requirement to receive a grant.

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 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.

Start Your Search for Top Talent Today

MCAAGreatFutures.org gives members access to student profiles and resumes. The profiles are searchable by university, desired location, and even a specific skill set, like BIM or AutoCAD. A keyword filter allows users to zero in on students who fit the bill.

Not finding a match? Try reaching out to our 60 MCAA Student Chapters. The chapter advisors are a great resource to help find the right person. And, MCAA members have exclusive access to post job openings on our job board.

Help build our industry’s GreatFuture – apply for a grant!