Archives: News Items

MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight Episode 12 Welcomes Greg Christopher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mueller Industries

In the twelfth episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series Bob Bolton, MCAA Senior Vice President/Treasurer welcomes Greg Christopher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mueller Industries. Mueller Industries, Inc. is an industrial manufacturer that specializes in copper and copper alloy manufacturing while also producing goods made from aluminum, steel, and plastics. It is headquartered in Collierville, Tennessee and comprises a network of operations in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them.

Greg Christopher is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mueller Industries, Inc. Joining Mueller in 1992, he has spent much of his career in varying leadership roles within the company. Throughout his profession, Greg’s deep belief in the importance of relationships has kept him actively involved with customers and industry associations, including MCAA. Greg grew up in the Upstate region of New York near Buffalo, and today resides in Germantown, Tennessee, with his wife, Angie, and their two children, Henry (21) and Sophie (21).

Congratulations to MCAA/Milwaukee Tool Safety Professional of the Year Cheryl Wiese

MCAA and Milwaukee Tool congratulate Cheryl Wiese for receiving the 2020 Safety Professional of the Year award, which was announced last month at MCAA’s 18th Annual Safety Directors’ Conference. Cheryl is the Safety Director for Modern Companies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She leads the extremely strong safety culture across five divisions at five different locations throughout the Midwest. Cheryl and her team recently implemented a safety down day across four office locations to provide needed reminders and training to all the crews who were working more than 30 jobs. She ensured that the company’s senior leadership and project managers were actively involved in facilitating the safety training and reinforcing the company’s positive safety culture. Warmest congratulations to Cheryl from MCAA and Milwaukee Tool!

Highlighting NEI Instructor John Koontz

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like John R. Koontz, MCAA’s Director, Project Management Education.

John has logged hundreds of days on the road each year since the NEI’s inception. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he has brought his unique blend of academic and practical experience to virtual courses, a new NEI offering.

A former tenured associate professor in Purdue University’s Department of Building Construction Management, John has been teaching since 1992. Before that, he spent 15 years in the employment of MCAA contractors in roles including senior project manager, project manager, project engineer, and estimator.

His Fundamentals of Project Management (FPM) Seminars feature topics that will help project managers run more productive and profitable jobs, from planning and time management to cost controls, scheduling documentation and people management.

The Field Leaders Education (FLE) Seminars for Construction offer a similar grounding for those in field leadership.

Finally, his Other Seminars (OS) for Construction explore how to forge strong foremen/project manager partnerships, improve operations, and provide an appreciation of MCAA’s Change Orders, Productivity, Overtime publication.

Providing top notch, accessible education for everyone in your organization is what the MCAA’s NEI is all about! Even during the COVID-19 era. Visit the NEI website for more information about any of these seminars and a full list of the NEI courses available to MCAA members.

Transform Lessons Learned into Business Growth. Learn More from HVAC Contractors Scott Berger and Kip Bagley at the 2021 MCAA Virtual Education Conference.

As part of our Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, you will hear from two successful HVAC contractors, Scott Berger, President/COO of Arista Air Conditioning Corporation and Past Chair of the MSCA Board of Managers and Kip Bagley, Vice President Service with EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems and Past Chair of the MSCA Board of Managers on how they have been able to refocus their service sales priorities and implement unique and proactive strategies.

“Lessons from Best in Class Service Contractors – Leveraging Key Performance Indicators to Drive Results” explains how top service providers found a way not only to survive, but to grow during these constantly changing times. Building owners and facility managers are now more than ever dependent on their mechanical service provider to provide them with the latest information, innovations and recommendations for keeping their building occupants safe and healthy. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to re-educate your customers and reinvent your offerings.

Register today and join your MCAA friends and colleagues online at MCAA’s first Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, March 22 – 25, 2021. 

Registration is available for individuals and for companies (up to 10 registrants per company registration). Questions can be directed to eventregistration@mcaa.org. We look forward to seeing you in March! 

Thank you LAARS, A Bradford White Company, for sponsoring this session and your continued support of MCAA.

REGISTER NOW

Find the Latest from XOi Technologies and Lochinvar, LLC 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:

XOi Technologies
Win More Stimulus Bids with XOi Vision
The recently passed relief bill granted $82 billion in funding to schools that can be used to repair and replace HVAC systems. Ensuring your company has true market differentiation is key to securing bids in a highly competitive market.

Learn More

Lochinvar, LLC
Refined and on-line, the KNIGHT XL remains the dependable workhorse with a new touchscreen control, increased thermal efficiency, 10:1 turndown and longer vent lengths than before.

Learn More

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

User Safety Notice for MSA’s Latchways Standard Self-Retracting Lifelines

MSA has issued a user safety notice to inform users of received field reports for a limited number of Latchways Standard Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRL) in which some internal bolts came loose. MSA has not received any reports of injuries associated with this condition. However, it is requesting that users perform the actions outlined in the notice. Over time, the loose bolts will be identifiable by the user as extraction of the cable from the SRL housing will no longer be possible. However, MSA’s investigation has determined that this may be preceded by a window of time in which a fall may not be arrested.

LEARN MORE

OSHA Guidance on Mitigating & Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace

The recently released OSHA guidance is aimed at helping employers and workers identify risks of being exposed to and/or contracting COVID-19, and determine appropriate control measures to implement in the workplace. The guidance contains recommendations as well as descriptions of compulsory safety and health standards. The recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in content and intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthy workplace.

LEARN MORE

MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight Episode 11 Welcomes Ashley Martin, Senior Vice President of NIBCO INC.

In the eleventh episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series Robert Beck, MCAA Co-Vice President/Assistant Treasurer welcomes Ashley Martin, Senior Vice President of Sales and an officer of the Board of Directors of NIBCO INC. NIBCO is the worldwide leader in the manufacture of plumbing fittings and valves. The company has been headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana since its inception in 1904. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them. 

Ashley Martin began her career with NIBCO as a sales trainee in 2012. Her other positions have included director of Distribution and Transportation, general manager of the PEX product line and vice president of Wholesale Sales. In her current role, Martin is responsible for overseeing Wholesale, Retail and Specialty Sales, Business Development, Marketing Communications and Customer Service. Martin co-founded the American Supply Association Women Industry group in 2013. She served a two-year term as chairperson, beginning in 2016. She currently serves on the Boards for the Indiana United Way, the United Way of Elkhart County and the Stanley Clark School in South Bend, Ind. She is also a member of the Notre Dame Business Advisory Council. Martin received her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind. She holds a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in strategy and operations management from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Prior to earning her MBA, Martin studied at the Copenhagen Business School in Denmark.​ ​

Beyond the Classroom Video Series: Taking The First Step Into the Unknown

A Notre Dame graduate in Mechanical Engineering, Anne Finerfrock was unsure which direction she wanted to take her career in. She knew she did not want to sit behind a desk but had no answers to an important question: is that a viable career option? Fortunately, Anne spent time at a career fair and began a conversation with a mechanical contracting company. Investing her time to seek out answers resulted in an internship at this company and her first step into the industry.

Anne speaks highly of the endless opportunities provided to individuals in a similar position, “The advantage of working for a mechanical contractor versus a large GC is that you really get involved in all aspects of the project.” Now a Project Manager at W.E. Bowers, Anne credits the MCAA GreatFutures program for providing opportunities to explore career options and internship possibilities that offer 8 to 10 weeks of first-hand experience.

Kayley Wright, Mass Maritime Student Joins Corporate Mechanical of New England for 2021 Winter Internship

One of the most important elements of an internship is integrating classroom knowledge with practical application and skill development. Kayley Wright, Mass Maritime student recently participated in this important learning process as she interned with Corporate Mechanical of New England, LLC, an Arden Building Company.

We recently asked Kayley about her major, her interests, and her experience at Corporate Mechanical.

“I chose to study Energy Systems Engineering, specifically at Mass Maritime, because I knew I would get a lot of hands-on experience, which is my favorite aspect of engineering. I have always enjoyed tracing out different systems within a larger facility and finding out what purpose each small part serves. My major also emphasizes design, so when I saw that Corporate Mechanical of New England (CMNE) uses Autodesk Revit, a building information modeling (BIM) software, I was very intrigued” she excitedly explained. 

Kayley continued on to share what a great experience her time with CMNE has been. “I have had the opportunity to visit multiple job sites and experience first-hand, alongside project managers, the day-to-day problem solving required, which is very interesting. Another part of engineering I enjoy is finding a problem and creating a solution. Not only have I been working on the project management side of the company, but I have also done some work in estimating, doing take-offs and budgets for different projects. I now have a better understanding of HVAC and all the components within a system. Overall, it’s been a great experience.”

Start Your Search for Top Talent Today. Find student chapter members like Kayley by visiting MCAAGreatFutures.org, where members have 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.

The Results Are In From the First Round of MCAA’s 2020-2021 Student Chapter Competition. Congratulations to Our Final Four Teams!

MCAA’s Career Development Committee would like to thank all 19 student chapters that participated in MCAA’s 2020-2021 Student Chapter Competition. MCAA congratulates the four chapter finalists: Farleigh Dickinson University, Kansas State University, Missouri State University, and Virginia Tech Blacksburg Campus. 

MCAA’s 2020-2021 Student Chapter Competition project required student chapters to act as the prime contractor on the renovation project to the historic University of Pennsylvania Museum. The Career Development Committee extends its sincere appreciation to MCAA Past President, Mark Rogers, and MCAA Career Development Committee member, Ted McHugh, both of West Chester Mechanical Contractors, Inc. for arranging the use of this project and providing the information and accompanying technical drawings.

This year’s project was challenging in itself and many student chapters had the additional unforeseen challenge of having to work and collaborate on their proposal from afar, with strict COVID-19 restrictions in place limiting team gatherings. Thank you to all MCAA student chapters who worked extra hard to submit a bid this year: 

  1. Ball State University 
  2. Binghamton University 
  3. California State Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 
  4. California State University Chico 
  5. California State University East Bay 
  6. Illinois State University 
  7. Kent State University 
  8. McMaster University 
  9. Oregon State University 
  10. Pittsburgh State University 
  11. Purdue University 
  12. University of Maryland College Park 
  13. University of Missouri Columbia 
  14. University of Nebraska 
  15. University of Southern California

MCAA’s COVID-19 Safety Stand Down Will Emphasize Pandemic Safety

Safety is top priority for MCAA member companies, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. MCAA’s COVID-19 Safety Stand Down from February 1-5, 2021 will revisit the protective measures and MCAA safety resources associated with COVID-19. A series of resources will help you provide the necessary information about COVID-19 risks, protective measures, forthcoming vaccines, and vaccine administration phases to your workers. Also included is information to help you remind your state and local officials that mechanical construction work is both safe and essential, and must continue to be categorized that way.

Resources

  1. Two COVID-19 Toolbox Safety Talks for Mechanical Industry Workers LEARN MORE
  2. CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit for Essential Workers LEARN MORE
  3. CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Phases LEARN MORE
  4. Access to MCAA’s COVID-19 Safety Resources LEARN MORE
  5. COVID-19 Information for Construction Employers Concerning Keeping Construction Safe and Essential LEARN MORE

If you have questions about any of these resources, or need other safety-related assistance, please contact Pete Chaney.

Meet Our New NEI Instructor – Mark Rogers

The National Education Initiative (NEI) is expanding by adding new courses and instructors. One of our newest instructors is Mark Rogers, President of West Chester Mechanical Contractors, an HVAC, service and plumbing contractor that serves the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

Over the past eight years, Mark has voluntarily presented the “Real Cost of a Manhour” over 125 times to more than 20,000 UA Members. He has also taught sessions on jobsite profitability at MCAA’s Field Leaders Conferences and leadership sessions to the UA Business Managers/ Agents and at MCAA’s Advanced Institute for Project Management in Austin, TX.

Mark has taught classes on a variety of mechanical contracting subjects to audiences of various sizes. His Field and Foreman Leadership Development (FFLD) seminars shed light on how interactions with coworkers, other tradespeople and the end users can help (or hurt) the direct cost of union tradespeople.  The series will also cover how decisions impact safety, insurance, profits and overall company culture at every level of a project and will educate ALL sides on what the other is dealing with on a daily basis. This better understanding of how their roles can be improved through leadership, communication and education sets the tone for the success of any organization.

Providing top notch, accessible education for everyone in your organization is what the MCAA’s NEI is all about! Even during the COVID-19 era. Visit the NEI website for more information about the Field and Foreman Leadership Development (FFLD) seminars and a full list of the courses NEI has available for our members.

Find the Latest from FARO Technologies, Inc. and Delta Cooling Towers, Inc. 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:

FARO FocusS Laser Scanner

FARO Technologies, Inc.
FARO develops portable 3D imaging devices designed to capture and deliver real world information into the digital world for building and industrial facility documentation during the project lifecycle.

Learn More
Delta Cooling Towers - TM Series

Delta Cooling Towers, Inc.
TM Series – capacity from 250 to 2000 cooling tons – Engineered plastic tower provides longer life – Low Maintenance – CTI Certified.

Learn More

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

Technology Is Changing the Way You Do Business. Software Developer and Construction Technology Expert Brett Young Will Teach You How to Adapt. Register for MCAA’s Virtual Education Conference Today

As part of our Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, you will hear from Brett Young, a software developer and construction technology expert. 

Technology is a double-edged sword. It can enable a business to grow or create severe detrimental external competitive pressures. In this seminar, “Next-Gen Business Practices – Future Proofing the Mechanical Contractor” you will explore global architecture, engineering and construction industry technology trends against a backdrop that assumes the role of the mechanical contractor will be changing in the years to come. You will learn how to adapt to new business realities that defragment our industry, how to increase productivity and change business models, and how to future-proof the role of the mechanical contractor in the AEC business. 

Brett Young is CTO and co-founder at M2x.ai and a recognized thought leader in the architecture, engineering and construction industry. His work focuses on the use of video game technology to democratize, expand and deepen software development for building information modeling (BIM).  

Register today and join your MCAA friends and colleagues online at MCAA’s first Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, March 22 – 25, 2021. 

Registration is available for individuals and for companies (up to 10 registrants per company registration). Questions can be directed to eventregistration@mcaa.org. We look forward to seeing you in March! 

Thank you  Sloan for sponsoring this session and your continued support of MCAA. 

REGISTER NOW

MCAA’s 18th Annual Safety Directors’ Conference Scores Big

MCAA’s 18th annual Safety Directors’ Conference, which was presented virtually this year due to the pandemic, was attended by more than 400 participants, including mechanical industry safety professionals, member firm principals, MCA local affiliates, and United Association OSHA instructors.

We came together for world-class education on the safety and health topics and issues that are currently affecting the mechanical construction and service companies nationwide.

Conference participants received opportune safety messages in keynote presentations from renown disaster response physician Dr. Dan Diamond, space shuttle astronaut Mike Mullane, and safety training expert Dale Lesinski. The group also participated in educational sessions covering NFPA 70E, tool safety, Legionella, the new ANSI A92 aerial work platform standards, positive safety culture change, refrigerant safety, microlearning, asbestos, opioids and reasonable suspicion, and the biological basis of complacency. Conference sessions are available to registered attendees until February 19, 2021.

Next year’s conference will be presented January 18-20, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. Mark your calendars!

Episode 10 of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight Welcomes David Weir, Director of Sales National Accounts at Uponor North America

In the tenth episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series Armand Kilijian, MCAA President-Elect introduces us to David Weir, Director of Sales National Accounts at Uponor North America, a nationwide provider of polymer piping systems for residential and commercial plumbing, radiant heating and cooling, and hydronic distribution systems. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them.

David Weir holds more than 33 years in the mechanical contracting and commercial building applications industries, with an emphasis in sales for manufacturers. Prior to moving to the United States 16 years ago, David lived in the United Kingdom where he spent more than 17 years in industry, including holding positions as a vice president of Sales and president of a European balancing valve company. He is a professional member of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and the American Supply Association (ASA), and he holds an MBA from Liverpool John Moores University in Liverpool, England.