“Right now, you are sitting in the best-attended SMACNA Annual Convention in history,” says SMACNA President Tom Martin (now Past President). The association’s commitment to growth and engagement is evident: newcomers and veterans alike are reminded that their participation is both an investment in the present and a foundation for the future.
Aaron Hilger, SMACNA CEO, also welcomed the record turnout with gratitude, saying, “I am genuinely grateful to be here and to share this time with all of you and humbled by the incredible turnout. 2025 has been a busy, challenging and interesting year so far.”
“Whether it is attending an educational session, listening to some of our featured speakers or simply networking with your peers, this convention is a once-a-year opportunity for you to learn more about how to not only be a better professional but build bonds that will serve you well in the years to come,” Martin says, underscoring the personal and professional dividends of engagement.
Across the country, SMACNA members are thriving. “Nationwide we have seen tremendous opportunities and growth driven by megaprojects: data centers, advanced manufacturing plants, health care facilities and microchip plants are keeping SMACNA members busier than ever,” Hilger explains. He notes that this surge is especially visible in the “heartland — Indiana, Michigan and Ohio — where there is more work than many can remember,” and praises Texas and the Southwest “Texas continues to thrive, and growth in Arizona and New Mexico has been remarkable.” Even in the South, where union density is lower, “large projects are creating new possibilities,” he says.
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| Awards Luncheon honors (top left), a College of Fellows Golf Tournament foursome (top right), SMACNA CEO Aaron Hilger addressing the SMACNA Annual Convention crowd (bottom). |
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“For both SMACNA and SMART, this surge has fueled three straight years of hours growth,” Hilger says. “I could not be prouder of how our members and partners have stepped up to meet those demands.”
Yet Hilger doesn’t shy away from industry concerns. “Some of our strongest markets — on the East and West Coasts — are starting to feel headwinds,” he observes, pointing to state policies that slow development and encourage investment elsewhere. “On a national level, policy uncertainty has made some owners hesitant, which we are beginning to see reflected in our hours data. That uncertainty, however, may create certain opportunities.
| SMACNA President (now Past President) Tom Martin addressing the packed room at the SMACNA Annual Convention. |
ADVOCACY, POLICY WINS AND WORKFORCE COMMITMENT
SMACNA’s advocacy efforts, Hilger notes, remain steadfast. “Earlier this year, SMACNA fought hard to ensure that critical tax provisions, such as equipment expensing, bonus depreciation, 179d and SALT deductions were maintained or approved. This benefits all of our markets.
He commends Stan Kolbe and the government relations team for their dedication, as well as everyone who “met with members of Congress, both at home and in D.C. — your efforts helped secure those wins. Your generosity has pushed fundraising to its highest level. These contributions help keep SMACNA’s voice strong where it matters most: on Capitol Hill,” Hilger says. But he’s clear-eyed. “Policy victories can only do so much if international uncertainty starts slowing the broader economy,” he adds. “Some customers are pausing projects because they cannot predict costs.”
Hilger points out that a skilled workforce is the foundation for growth. “America’s future economic growth and expanded manufacturing base depends on having a growing skilled workforce.” Echoing last year’s Convention Speaker Peter Zeihan, he says, “The United States is uniquely positioned to thrive in this environment, but only if we strengthen our workforce and maintain strong partnerships with Canada, Mexico and the rest of the Americas.”
“Many members of our skilled workforce are nearing retirement age,” Martin adds. “We need to ensure that we continue to attract young talent with fresh ideas to our industry.” He cites Cleveland’s robust apprenticeship programs and the ongoing effort to offer both education and clear career pathways that are free of college debt and full of opportunities.
“Our national committees are focused on making noticeable progress,” Martin says. He encourages attendees to take advantage of peer groups and national committees, networks he credits with shaping his own career and the success of his business.
Throughout the convention, partnership was a clear theme. Martin reflected on his year as president and the privilege of witnessing SMACNA members’ positive impacts across the nation’s communities. He credits his father, a Vietnam veteran, for inspiring his ethos of service: a mindset he carries at both T.H. Martin and to the SMACNA presidency.
He highlighted the collaborative relationship between SMACNA contractors and their labor partners at SMART. “We need each other not only to survive, but to thrive,” Martin explains. “We must be realistic; management and labor will not always agree on everything. That’s simply not possible. However, instead of allowing minor disputes to escalate into nationwide challenges, we choose to engage with a focus on solving problems, not creating them.”
He thanked SMART General President Mike Coleman for a decades-long partnership built on trust and shared priorities. “Even when we disagreed, and there were certainly times when that turned out to be the case, we kept communicating with the priority of industry first,” Martin adds.
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| SMACNA President (now Past President) Tom Martin addresses the record-sized crowd at the SMACNA Annual Convention. |
Hilger echoed this spirit, pointing to “collaboration in labor relations” as a real strength. “Our labor relations partnership with SMART is stronger than ever, helping us grow markets and deliver value,” he says. “Initiatives such as the Megaprojects Task Force and targeted interventions are tangible examples.”
Despite slowdowns and headwinds, both Martin and Hilger strike an optimistic note.
“The opportunities on the horizon point to continued growth in the years ahead,” Hilger says. “The ongoing buildout of data centers and related energy infrastructure continues to generate enormous opportunity.”
members across the industry.
The association itself is evolving. “Over the last three years, SMACNA has truly evolved. We have expanded our programs, strengthened our partnerships and improved communication across the board,” Hilger notes.
As Martin passed the gavel to incoming President Todd Hill, he says, “I have worked to make you proud not only of me, but of this association, and I hope that I have delivered on that trust.”
As Todd Hill, President of Allen Park, Michigan-based Ventcon, accepted the gavel as the incoming SMACNA President, industry partners expressed enthusiasm at continuing great relationships with the association. As Coleman says, “Although you have big shoes to fill, I know you’re up for it. I’m looking forward to seeing how far you move your organization forward and what we can accomplish together.
Introducing the 2025-2026 SMACNA Executive Committee
Tom Martin, Immediate Past President, T.H. Martin Inc., Cleveland, Ohio
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| Gary Myers, Scott Vidimos, Todd Hill, Tom Martin and Joseph Samia (left to right). |
SMACNA Announces 5 New College of Fellows Inductees
Membership in SMACNA’s College of Fellows is reserved for top industry professionals who have made significant contributions to advance the sheet metal industry, culminating in years of commitment, distinguished service and dedication.
Please join SMACNA in congratulating its five newest members in the distinguished College of Fellows:
Celebrating Excellence: Honors and Awards
A highlight of the SMACNA Annual Convention is the announcement of SMACNA’s annual awards.
The 2025 SMACNA Contractor of the Year is B.J. Giri, Principal at Holaday-Parks Inc., Seattle, Washington. Giri entered the industry by accident during a random meeting while working in a downtown Seattle parking garage. Thirty years later, he has become an inspirational industry leader and an active member at SMACNA Western Washington. As SMACNA Immediate Past President Tom Martin says, “He lives his life by a simple yet poignant motto: ‘Every day, thank someone, learn something, teach something and, most importantly, forgive someone.’”
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| B.J. Giri | Bob Pope | Matthew Sano |
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| Thomas Gunning III | Tom Szymczak | John Itlen |
Bob Pope, who recently retired as the Managing Director of the Sheet Metal and Roofing Contractors Association of the Miami Valley in Ohio was named the 2025 SMACNA Chapter Executive of the Year. During his service in the industry, Pope built a reputation as a bridge-builder who values collaboration over confrontation and is regarded as one of the Midwest’s top association executives. Working with his peers in Dayton, Ohio’s Sheet Metal Local 24, Pope helped build and strengthen a training program that set a standard for integrity, accountability and innovation in the workplace. Sheet Metal Local 24 Business Manager Cole Chaney praises Pope’s work. “Labor and management aren’t opposing forces; when we work together, we’re stronger,” he emphasizes.
The Legislative Contractor of the Year award went to Matthew Sano of Fisher Balancing Co. SMACNA honored Sano for his tireless advocacy and bipartisan coalition-building.
SMACNA recognized Thomas S. Gunning III of SMACNA Boston Inc. as Chapter Executive Legislative Advocate of the Year for decades of successful legislative engagement.
