Category: Uncategorized

OSHA Releases Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for Coronavirus Prevention

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is providing employers recommended instructions for helping to prevent the spread of coronavirus in their workplaces. To reduce the impact of the outbreak on businesses, employees, customers, and the general public, it is critical employers plan now. The agency is suggesting employers take the following precautions and implement best practices as an attempt to address various challenges, including:

  • Developing an infectious disease preparedness and response plan
  • Prepare to implement basic infection prevention measures
  • Develop policies and procedures for prompt identification and isolation of sick people
  • Develop, implement, and communicate about workplace flexibilities and protections
  • Implement workplace controls to isolate employees from work related hazards
  • Follow existing OSHA standards

The agency’s recently released publication Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 will help affected employers understand how the virus could impact their workplaces and develop proper infectious disease preparedness and response plans.

Cypress College Becomes MCAA’s Newest Student Chapter

MCAA GreatFutures welcomes its 61st Student Chapter, Cypress College! This is the first student chapter sponsored by ARCA/MCA, and the first two-year technical school to be chartered as part of the MCAA GreatFutures student chapter program.

Professor Richard Hock serves as the faculty advisor for the ARCA/MCA Student Chapter Cypress College. Richard worked with Cheryl James and Dick Sawhill of ARCA/MCA and ARCA/MCA members to start the chapter and get students active and engaged.

The Air Conditioning & Refrigeration program at Cypress College offers both certificate and degree paths into the industry. You can learn more about the program by visiting the Cypress College page on MCAAGreatFutures.org.

Congratulations to Cypress College and welcome to the MCAA family!

Celebrating the Successes of Young Women in Our Industry

In honor of International Women’s Day, MCAA GreatFutures & WiMI celebrate all of the young women actively pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry. Read these success stories of female MCAA Student Chapter members and how they are leaving an imprint on the industry:

Madelyn Conway, Purdue University

Madelyn Conway, a senior at Purdue University, has accepted a full-time position with BMWC Constructors, Inc. She will be working as a project engineer in their Indianapolis office following graduation this spring. Madelyn said, “because of MCAA, MCA of Indiana, and the Purdue MCA Student Chapter, I have found my career!”

Madelyn was the 2019 recipient of the Ferguson – WiMI Scholarship.

Read the full story HERE.

Kathy Deng, University of Southern California 

Kathy Deng, a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Southern California, a past MCAA student chapter member and a current Design Engineer at Murray Company. Kathy says at the MCAA19 convention, “Women in the Mechanical Industry enlightened me about the value of mechanical engineers in construction.”

Read the full story HERE.

Paige Theby, University of Missouri-Columbia

Paige Theby, a member of the MCAA Student Chapter at the University of Missouri-Columbia, is graduating with a B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and accepting a full-time position with Murphy Company.

Read the full story HERE.

Molly Sizemore, Pennsylvania State University

Molly Sizemore has accepted her second summer internship at Southland Industries, a member of the MCA of Metropolitan Washington. She is a member of the MCA of Central Pennsylvania-sponsored student chapter at Pennsylvania State University, where she studies Architectural Engineering specializing in mechanical systems. She said, “MCAA has definitely created a springboard for me into the mechanical contracting industry, and I’m very excited to continue this journey and get others involved.”

Molly is a recipient of the 2020 Ferguson – WiMI Scholarship.

Read the full story HERE.

Alex Berman, Kent State University

Alex Berman, a 2019 Construction Management graduate from Kent State University and a past MCAA Student chapter member, has found success in the industry as an Estimator and Project Assistant at MCA of Cleveland member Geauga Mechanical in Northeast Ohio.

Read the full story HERE.

Kylie Nedelka, University of Missouri-Columbia

Kylie Nedelka, a mechanical engineering major from the University of Missouri-Columbia, has accepted a second summer internship with SIEMENS, a member of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council. Kylie found the opportunity at the 2018 GreatFutures Forum, where she met Kristin Junia, Program Manager at SIEMENS. Kylie said, “My experience was so great, that I have accepted a position as an engineering intern for this upcoming summer! I look forward to the new experiences to come!”

Read the full story HERE.

Letsos Company, CFI Mechanical Swap Uponor PEX for Copper, PVC

Letsos Company and CFI Mechanical, both of Houston, TX, used Uponor PEX for two high school plumbing projects to save money for the school district while also realizing faster installation and cost savings over traditional approaches. CFI Mechanical estimated a 30-percent savings in cost and labor resulting from using smaller PEX piping (1″ and below).

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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

Attending MCAA2020? Do Not Miss the Student Chapter Competition!

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from the next industry leader’s insightful approaches to a real-world contracting bid!

You can see the final four teams compete at MCAA2020 on Monday, March 16 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Thanks to Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corporation of Fresh Meadows, New York for providing this year’s project details. The project tasked students with developing a proposal to be the prime contractor on a chiller and cooling tower replacement project in the Penn South building in New York City. The project includes the completion of all plumbing, piping and HVAC, electrical, controls and any other work required to complete the project as described in the bid documents.

Meet the Final Four Teams

Ball State University

Ball State received their charter at the 2016 MCAA Convention. This will be their first time competing in the final four of the MCAA Student Chapter Competition.

Ball State was a recipient of a 2019 Chapter of Excellence Grant, recognizing student chapters for their extraordinary performance and accomplishments in maintaining interest in the mechanical contracting industry.

The competition team consists of all Construction Management majors:

  • Nick Brandon, Class of 2021
  • Gareth Brouwer, Class of 2021
  • Ross Debonis, Class of 2021
  • Michale Delong, Class of 2020
  • Austin Fest, Class of 2021
  • Cory Huffman, Class of 2021
  • Cassie Dorony, Class of 2020

Milwaukee School of Engineering

MSOE won last year’s Student Chapter Competition at MCAA19. The chapter also previously won in 2011 and 2013.

They have placed in the Final Four of the competition in 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2017. MSOE was a recipient of a 2019 Chapter of Excellence Grant.

MSOE’s Competition Team:

  • Nathan Bevers, Class of 2020, Architectural Engineering
  • Luke Grohmann, Class of 2021, Construction Management
  • Lucas Haas, Class of 2020, Construction Management
  • Brooke Scott, Class of 2020, Architectural Engineering & Construction Management
  • Logan Stone, Class of 2021, Architectural Engineering
  • John Cunningham, Class of 2022, Architectural Engineering

Brooke Scott was the 2019 recipient of the Alan O’Shea Memorial Scholarship, and Logan Stone is the 2020 recipient of the William A. Bianco, Jr Memorial Scholarship.

University of Maryland, College Park

This is Maryland’s first time back in the final four since 2014. After working on rebuilding the chapter since, they won the 2019 Emerging Chapter Grant.

The competition team consists of all Mechanical Engineering majors:

  • Hailey Brennan, Class of 2022
  • Talha Dasti, Class of 2020
  • Samuel Gigioli, Class of 2021
  • Zachary Hood, Class of 2020
  • Ahmed Seck, Class of 2021 

Hailey Brennan is the 2020 Recipient of the Josam Endowed Scholarship.

University of Missouri-Columbia

Mizzou won the the Student Chapter Competition at MCAA17, and competed in the final four last year at MCAA19.

The competition team consists of all Mechanical Engineering majors:

  • Mohammed Al-Ramis, Class of 2021
  • Ellie Henshaw, Class of 2020
  • Austin Mathews, Class of 2020
  • Adam Moore, Class of 2020
  • Kylie Nedelka, Class of 2020
  • Evan Taylor, Class of 2021
  • Derrick Jenkins, Class of 2021

Kylie Nedelka recently accepted a second summer internship with SIEMENS. Read the full story HERE.

Awards of Excellence Breakfast

The winners will be announced at the Awards of Excellence Breakfast featuring Joe Montana on Wednesday, March 18 at 6:30 a.m. The top competition prize is $10,000. The second-place team will receive $5,000 and the other two finalists will each receive $2,500.

Networking & Recruiting 360

Meet these competition team members and other student chapter members like him at MCAA2020’s Networking & Recruiting 360 event Wednesday, March 18, 9:00 am – 11:00 am. MCAA thanks Viega for sponsoring the event.

To preview students’ resumes and to see who will be in Maui, visit mcaagreatfutures.org.

Please contact Harlee Mooney if you have questions about any of our student activities or the internship grants funded by the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF).

 

Help Us Celebrate International Women’s Day!

International Women’s Day is March 8, and WiMI wants to celebrate! This special day is about applauding the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world. We know encouraging women should happen every day, but check out our list of fun ways we can support them:

  • Support a woman owned business
  • Read a great book by a female author
  • Watch an amazing film by a female director
  • Donate to your local women’s shelter
  • Do something kind for a woman you love
  • Celebrate the women around you
  • Mentor a young woman
  • Encourage your daughters/nieces/granddaughters to reach for their dreams
  • Recognize the women in your office
  • Acknowledge those women who have impacted your life
  • Attend a women’s networking event
  • Promote more young women into our industry
  • Thank your mom
  • Be inspiring

Hiring a Summer Intern? Apply for the NEW Internship Grant Funded by MCERF

MCAA’s student internship grant process has changed! For 2020, the focus is on the intern to give them the best opportunities possible with MCAA member companies. Five-hundred-dollar grants will now be offered directly to students who accept internships or full-time positions, with funding from the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF).

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 member companies after graduation.

Be the Next Internship Success Story

In 2019, MCA of Indiana member Freitag-Weinhardt, Inc. used an internship grant for Indiana State University student Jonathan Dang. He will join the company full-time following his December 2020 graduation.

Jonathan noted that, “one of the things that made a career in the mechanical industry so appealing is the investment in students and their futures.” The new 2020 internship grants help further show a company’s investment in young talent like Jonathan.

Read more about Jonathan’s experience as an intern with Freitag-Weinhardt here.

How does the new grant application process work?

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 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.

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!

Be the Next Success Story – Apply for the NEW Internship Grant Funded by MCERF

For 2020, MCAA has updated its student internship grant process to focus on the intern and give them the best opportunities possible with MCAA member companies. Five-hundred-dollar grants will now be offered directly to students who accept internships or full-time positions, with funding from MCERF.

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 after graduation.

Here are a few success stories

MCA of Metropolitan Washington (MCAMW) member The Bowers Group, also known as W.E. Bowers, hired Andrew Nguyen, a junior at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, for a summer internship. Read the story here.

In 2019, BMWC Constructors, Inc. used an internship grant to for Purdue University Senior Madelyn Conway’s summer internship. She will join the company full-time following graduation. Read the success story here.

How does the new grant application process work?

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 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.

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!

Advanced Leadership Institute Course 20 Now Accepting Applications

MCAA is currently accepting applications for its flagship executive education program, the Advanced Leadership Institute. Designed specifically for mechanical contracting executives, the ALI is focused on developing the talents and business networks of leaders in the industry.

The intensive, team-oriented, two-week residential program includes lecture, individual coaching sessions, and the development and presentation of final a team project.

The ALI is offered annually at Babson College in Wellesley, MA. The dates for ALI Course 20 are September 13-17, 2020 and November 1-6, 2020.

The application process is competitive, and applicants must provide the endorsement of their CEO/President. While the deadline is May 29, 2020, the course fills up quickly, so early submission is recommended.

For additional program details and application criteria, download the application form.

Apply for the NEW MCAA Internship Grants Funded by MCERF!

For 2020, MCAA has updated its student internship grant process to focus on the intern and give them the best opportunities possible with MCAA member companies. Five-hundred-dollar grants will now be offered directly to students who accept internships or full-time positions, with funding from MCERF.

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 after graduation.

How does the new grant application process work?

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 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.

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!

Kim Bassett and Charles Bacon Are Recognized for Their Commitment to Safety

Kim Bassett, President and CEO of Bassett Mechanical, and Charles A. Bacon, III, CEO of Limbach Facility Services, have been named to Safety+Health magazine’s list of 2020 CEOs Who “Get It.” This annual recognition is presented to safety leaders who go the extra mile to protect employees both on and off the job, as nominated by readers. “I do many things in my role as president and CEO,” Kim said, “but doing my best to keep our associates safe is by far the most important.”

Celebrating the WiMI Mentorship Program

A unique opportunity for young professional women in our industry to connect with a seasoned executive who can help foster mentee career development and leadership growth. This program is designed to guide our industry into the future with a diverse, exciting group of women who may have never connected otherwise. It will enable women from all spectrums of the mechanical and HVACR service industry to connect and learn from each other through support, guidance and counsel.

If you would like to participate, please complete the application and return to MCAA as soon as possible.

Arista Air Conditioning Employs XOi Technology to Build Customer Trust

In New York City, competition among HVAC providers is intense, so Arista Air Conditioning Corporation found a new way to win over customers. The company armed all of their technicians with the cloud-based XOi mobile app. Technicians use their mobile devices to generate photo and video documentation of every service call for Arista’s customers—so customers can see what the techs see.

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

New MCAA Student Chapter Resources Now Available

MCAA’s student chapter program is dedicated to helping students prepare for careers in the mechanical construction and service industry. When a student joins a chapter, MCAA, MCAA’s local affiliate and the college or university commit to providing that student every opportunity to develop professional skills, knowledge and experiences.

MCAA’s Career Development Committee has created new resources to help student chapter members manage the overall operations, recruitment and successes of a chapter. Click on the links below to download MCAA Student Chapter documents:

MCAA Student Chapter Best Practices & Guidelines detail the policies, procedures and rules to operating a chapter and share the MCAA resources available to student chapter members.

MCAA Student Chapter Workbook guides the chapter through meetings, recruitment, social media, fundraising, community service and the various activities of a student chapter. All MCAA Student chapters are required to return their completed workbook to the national MCAA office each year.

MCAA Student Chapter Recruiting Presentation showcases the benefits of joining an MCAA Student Chapter. A customizable template is included in the notes section of the PowerPoint.

MCAA Sponsoring Dodge Survey on BIM Usage

MCAA is partnering with Dodge Data & Analytics to study the value of BIM for mechanical construction, HVAC, and plumbing contractors. This is the first of a larger, ongoing series of BIM studies to focus specifically on our industry. It will shed light on the opportunities and challenges of using BIM and VDC for your work. Your participation is vital to the study’s success, even if you have no experience with BIM.

Steve Jones, Senior Director of Industry Insights for Dodge Data & Analytics, will present the study findings at the MCAA Technology Conference on January 31. Those who attend will receive a hard copy of the resulting Business Value of BIM for HVAC and Mechanical Construction SmartMarket Report.

All participating companies will receive a copy of the report via email as a thank you for participating in the survey.

The survey takes 10 to 12 minutes to complete, and your answers are strictly confidential. They will not be associated with your name or the name of your company in any way.

WiMI Mentor Program Educates and Inspires Industry Women

The WiMI mentoring program provides a unique opportunity for young professional women in our industry to connect with a seasoned executive who can help foster mentee career development and leadership growth. The mentor will serve as an advisor and role model for the mentee.

Mentees will receive personalized advice and guidance to help achieve their full potential and become future leaders in our industry. They will also gain a broader support network of industry experts.

Our goal is to pair mentors and mentees by early January 2020.  Once paired, mentees will be notified and receive the Mentor/Mentee Program Guidelines, which will outline responsibilities and best practices for getting the most out of this working relationship.

This program will help guide our industry into the future with a diverse, exciting group of women who may have never connected otherwise. It will enable women from all spectrums of the mechanical and HVACR service industry to connect and learn from each other through support, guidance and counsel.  The value of your MCAA membership will be increased through sharing, educating and inspiring each other.

If you would like to participate, please complete the application and return to MCAA as soon as possible.

Hear from the First Female NFL Coach at MCAA2020

Dr. Jen Welter draws from her trailblazing journey to deliver memorable insights on the far-reaching benefits of being an authentic leader, focusing on one’s goals and cultivating a champion’s mindset. With stories drawn from her experiences on and off the field, Welter inspires and enlightens audiences with insights on breaking barriers, achieving what others say is impossible and the true value of diverse teams. The first female coach in NFL history, Welter serves as a powerful role model and an inspiring reminder that barriers are meant to be broken. This session is sponsored by Women in the Mechanical Industry. Find other WiMI-sponsored events planned for MCAA2020 and learn more about Welter on our convention website.

Find the Latest from Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.® and ManufactOn 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 - MCAA Virtual Trade Show
Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.® a Member of Morris Group International
This unitized structure makes installation simpler and faster compared two individual uprights. Adjustment brackets make last minute changes easy. Discover more products that save you time on the job.

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ManufactOn - MCAA Virtual Trade Show
ManufactOn
ManufactOn is a SaaS (mobile/web) platform that helps construction firms plan, track and manage both prefabrication and regular material handling. The ManufactOn platform helps optimize the end-to-end prefabrication process.

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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

Limiting Driver Distractions from Cell Phone Use

Distracted driving poses significant risk to every business that has employees who drive both company-owned and personal vehicles for company business. Common activities that divert attention from the road include texting, most mobile phone use, eating and drinking, reaching for an object, talking with a passenger, and reading navigation systems. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), for the second consecutive year, more than 40,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2017. According to a 2017 NSC public opinion poll, 74 percent rated distracted drivers as a major concern for traffic safety. Use this guide from CNA to assist in developing and supporting a program that helps in the control of driver behaviors, based on statistics about the impact of cell phone use and driver distractions, such as talking and texting.

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