MCAA22 Concludes with the Introduction of New MCAA President Bob Bolton

MCAA22 concluded a week of reuniting and learning with final thoughts from MCAA President Armand Kilijian. UA Assistant General President Mike Pleasant joined us to talk about the power of the UA/MCAA partnership. Armand recognized outgoing Board members, then turned over the presidential gavel to new MCAA President Bob Bolton, who thanked Armand for his service and announced MCAA’s donation of $20,000 to the Homenetmen Western US Region to establish the Kilijian Family Scholarship Fund. The Executive Committee and new Board members were introduced, then Erik Wahl inspired us while painting. In addition to MCAA’s $25,000 donation, MCAA raffled Erik Wahl’s Statue of Liberty painting to raise money for the Ukrainian Relief Fund.

Retiring Board Members Recognized

President Kilijian thanked the members of the MCAA Board of Directors whose terms expired at MCAA22 saying, “Each of these Board members has contributed tremendously to strengthening this industry, and we want to recognize their service and thank them this morning.” They are:

• Dennis Corrigan from Corrigan Company Mechanical Contractors in St. Louis, MO 
• Jody Ralston from High Purity Systems in Clifton, VA

Brian Helm from Helm Group, Inc. in Freeport, Illinois, MCAA’s Immediate Past President and this year’s Distinguished Service Award recipient, was recognized for his years of service on the MCAA Board of Directors and as a member of the Executive Committee. President Kilijian said, “You’ve helped lead this association through one of its toughest times and every day you showed up just about everywhere with grace, smarts, and more than a little sense of humor.”  

President Kilijian Offers Closing Thoughts

Before passing the gavel to MCAA’s 2022 President, Bob Bolton, President Kilijian thanked everyone who made the trip to reunite and celebrate after two years apart saying, “Your attendance and engagement is what made the convention such an incredible experience this week.”

He noted that member participation makes MCAA what it is and thanked those who have volunteered, taught our programs, developed our resources, spoke at our events or on our webinars, served on national committees, task forces, our Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee for all they have done and will do for MCAA. 

He went on to thank our partners at the UA for their leadership and partnership, our manufacturer and supplier members for their involvement, and our local associations for their work throughout the year, and for their hospitality when he travelled to meet with many of them. He also thanked his home association, the Northern California MCA and Alex Hall and his staff for the support they gave him during his year as MCAA’s president, and the national staff.

“This journey has been made so much better by the involvement and support of my company, my industry friends old and new, my family, and of course my wife Tamar. I could not have done it without you.”

–Armand Kilijian, MCAA President

Changing of the Guard

President Kilijian turned over the MCAA presidential gavel to his successor, MCAA President Bob Bolton. Bob said, “I am honored by this opportunity and will do my best. We promise to build on what you’ve done for MCAA.” 
 
He presented Armand with a token of gratitude for his year as president and let him know that MCAA donated $20,000 to the Homenetmen Western US Region organization to officially establish the Kilijian Family Scholarship Fund, which will be used to help low to moderate income families participate in various Homenetmen programs and activities.

Association Leaders Recognized

President Bolton recognized the national officers who serve as MCAA’s Executive Committee and the new members of MCAA’s Board of Directors.

Executive Committee

Joining President Bolton on the Executive Committee are:

• President-Elect Robert Beck
• Senior Vice President and Treasurer Rick Gopffarth
• Vice President and Assistant Treasurer Brian Hughes
• Immediate Past President Armand Kilijian

New Board of Directors Members

The newest contractor members of MCAA’s Board of Directors, elected to three-year terms, are: 

•  Scott Berger | Arista Air Conditioning Corporation | Long Island City, NY 
•  Kori Gormley-Huppert | Gormley Plumbing + Mechanical | McMinnville, OR 
•  Chris Hutchings | MMC Contractors | Kansas City, MO 
•  Mike Shinn | Shinn Mechanical | Kent, WA

President Bolton’s Remarks

President Bolton shared his thoughts on the year ahead, noting that he intends to broaden MCAA’s outlook to make small contractor education one of the key elements that will drive the MCAA agenda.

Following his remarks, President Bolton introduced guest speaker Erik Wahl, an internationally recognized artist, TED speaker, and No.1 bestselling author, who inspired us by sharing his different way of seeing just about everything while painting. Wahl’s Statue of Liberty painting was raffled in connection with MCAA’s $25,000 donation to Ukrainian Refugee Relief.

Mark Your Calendars

We’re looking forward to reuniting, once again, in Phoenix for the MCAA 2023 Annual Convention. Mark your calendars and join us March 26 – March 30, 2023.