by John Crowley | Jan 12, 2026 | Uncategorized
P1 Construction Sets New Benchmark in Construction Safety with Dual Innovation Programs Setting a new standard in construction safety by blending rigorous physical safety training with proactive mental= health support, P1 Construction of Lenexa, Kansas, earned SMACNA’s 2025 Safety Innovator of the Year Award.The award, presented jointly by Vincent Neglia of Milwaukee Tool and Dave Szymanski of Federated Insurance, honors innovative ideas that significantly improve safety culture and outcomes in the industry.P1 Construction won for two key initiatives: the Second Orientation Program and the Peer Connector Mental Health Program. The Second Orientation targets a critical risk period by providing new hires a refresher safety training 60 days after they begin, addressing data showing nearly half of workplace accidents occur in the first year. This helps reinforce safety knowledge and reduces early-stageincidents.The Peer Connector Program offers voluntary, peer-to-peer mental health support, breaking stigma and ensuring judgment-free access to help. Trained employees serve as confidential resources, identified by special hard hats and branding, offering immediate assistance and connecting colleagues to professional support as needed. Inspired by a P1 safety specialist and military veteran, this program addresses suicide prevention in both construction and veteran communities.Don Campbell, P1 Vice President, says, “We always remain focused on our most important resources: the human ones. Through rigorous daily checklists, mental health resources, training and mentorship, P1 leadership, from the top down, is committed to ensuring our associates show up mentally and physically prepared to make the best decisions every day.” In addition to the award, SMACNA and its partners donated $2,500 to The Battle Within, a nonprofit organization supporting veterans and first responders battling PTSD, chosen by P1 Construction. Michele Orpin, Director at The Battle Within, expresses gratitude for the donation. “Our entire team thanks you for this opportunity,” she says.Meet the 2025 SMACNA Safety Award WinnersThe SMACNA Safety Awards Program celebrates the commitment and inventive efforts of members to provide secure environments for their employees. The awards recognize past accomplishments, as well as inspire a future marked by a dedication to safety and health within the HVAC and sheet metal industry.There are two award categories: Top Safety Performer and Zero Injury and Illness Incidence. All members achieving an incident rate of 50% better than the U.S. Department of Labor BLS incident rate for sheet metal contractors in the U.S. and the adjacent rate for Canadian members will receive certificates as elite safety performers. All members demonstrating an outstanding safety record with zero reported incidents in 2024 receive certificates for safety excellence.The 2025 winners are:TOP SAFETY PERFORMER AWARD:Airco Mechanical Inc.Bel-Aire MechanicalControl Air Enterprises LLCCouts Heating and Cooling Inc.Dee Cramer Inc.General Sheet MetalGoyette MechanicalHarder Mechanicalicon MechanicalJH KellyLeo J. Roth CorporationMacDonald-MillerMarina Mechanical ServicesP1 Construction LLCPoynter Sheet Metal Inc.SSM Industries Inc.StreimerTweet/Garot Mechanical Inc.U.S. Engineering ConstructionW.E. BowersZERO INJURY AND ILLNESS INCIDENCE AWARD:A T Industrial Sheet MetalAccu Flow Balancing Co.Apollo Mechanical ContractorsCrystal Heating & Cooling Service Inc.D|B Solutions LLCDynamic Balancing Co.Evergreen State Heat & ACFisher Balancing Co.G.E.S. Sheet Metal Inc.H & R Mechanical Systems Inc.Hays Sheet Metal Inc.Hunter MechanicalIntech Mechanical Co. Inc.Johansen Mechanical Inc.Just Right Heating & CoolingLeibold Inc.McGowne Ironworks LLCModern ControlsNeudorfer EngineersOptimum Performance Balancing LLCOrtiz Contracting GroupPM ContractingPrecision Air Designs Inc.Prime Sheet Metal Inc.Restaurant Ventilation DesignS & Z Sheetmetal Inc.Scoggin Mechanical Industries Inc.TAB Systems Inc.Total Comfort Solutions, Inc.Tri-State Roofing & Sheet Metal Co.Van’s Industrial Inc.
by John Crowley | Jan 12, 2026 | Uncategorized
A Journey Built on Opportunity: SMACNA’s New President Looks Ahead Aloha, everyone. It means the world to me to serve as your 2025-2026 SMACNA National President. When I first started in this industry, I never realized the opportunities that would come my way. I truly care about SMACNA’s mission and will do my best to earn your trust. For me, SMACNA’s core value is enabling opportunities for its members. I began my career in the trade in 1990 at age 19, while attending community college full-time. My father encouraged me to take the sheet metal apprentice test, and his advice proved invaluable. Looking back, I am grateful for his guidance.My father, who passed in 2018 after a 43-year career in sheet metal, took great pride in his work. As I advanced at Ventcon, he often reminded me of the value of his advice. I hope to continue makinghim proud.I now have been with Ventcon for 35 years. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me, both as a business leader and as a member of this association. Our industry offers unique opportunities for career advancement through dedication and hard work.SMACNA offers valuable benefits, especially when it comes to technology, labor and business management. Ourindustry keeps changing, which means there are always new chances to grow. I encourage you to get involved. Other members have a lot of experience to share. By joining in, you can discover new ways to run your business and create more opportunities for yourself and your team. Investing in my career and business by being active in SMACNA has been one of my best decisions.If I can inspire even one person to take full advantage of what SMACNA National offers, I will consider my presidency a success. Thank you for this opportunity to serve. I look forward to connecting with many of you in the coming year. Todd HillSMACNA President
by John Crowley | Jan 12, 2026 | Uncategorized
A Gathering to Remember: Gratitude, Growth & the Power of Community It is always fun to bring the SMACNA convention to Maui. It was wonderful to connect with members and learn from great speakers. This convention was the most attended in SMACNA history. Record attendance speaks to the desire of SMACNA members to be engaged with their association. Education sessions were full, and we know that we will need more space when we return in 2030. It is also normal and healthy for associations to have debate at meetings. Associations are governed by members, and members should bring up things that concern them. I do encourage members to utilize the Council of Chapter Representatives to address programmatic concerns. The Council is designed to address issues and has the ability to make recommendations to the board. The Council meets each year in June and December, right before the Board’s meetings in January and July.I am excited to work with Todd Hill during his term as our new president. Todd’s story is incredible. Rising from Apprentice to Owner of his own company to the President at SMACNA. This is a trajectory that is only possible in our industry, and Todd certainly became the “smart” sheet metal worker that his father encouraged. The energy, enthusiasm and leadership that Todd brings to the table will benefit all of our members. I encourage you to connect with him and invite him or your board liaison to your chapter in 2026.Finally, I want to thank our SMACNA staff for all of their hard work in making this convention the best in SMACNA’s history. From working with the hotel to promoting the event and building out the educational programming, none of this is possible without the work of our team at National. As we look forward to 2026, we will be full speed ahead. I’m looking forward to the first six months of the new year, which include critical events such as Partners in Progress, the MEP Innovation Conference, the Safety and Health Conference and the Fab Forum. For those of you bargaining this year, I also encourage you to attend Collective Bargaining Orientation in early January. The program is great preparation for negotiations. Joining the bargainers’ calls can also help keep you informed about issues and settlements as they occur. These are all opportunities to engage with your peers. I hope you take advantage of them. I hope everyone has a safe and joyous holiday season. I am looking forward to 2026!
by John Crowley | Jan 12, 2026 | Uncategorized
Breaking Records, Building Opportunities “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.A YEAR OF RECORD GROWTH AND NEW CHALLENGESAcross 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.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). “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 COMMITMENTSMACNA’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.FOSTERING PARTNERSHIP AND INNOVATIONThroughout 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.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.”OPTIMISM AND OPPORTUNITIES AHEADDespite 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.”He highlights how new projects in power generation and manufacturing “are unlocking new investments,” benefitingmembers 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 CommitteeTodd Hill, President, Ventcon, Allen Park, MichiganScott Vidimos, President-Elect, Vidimos Inc., East Chicago, IndianaJoseph Samia, Secretary-Treasurer, Central Consolidated, Wichita, KansasGary Myers, Vice President, Intech Mechanical, Sacramento, CaliforniaTom Martin, Immediate Past President, T.H. Martin Inc., Cleveland, OhioGary Myers, Scott Vidimos, Todd Hill, Tom Martin and Joseph Samia (left to right).SMACNA Announces 5 New College of Fellows InducteesMembership 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:John Franco, SMACNA National, Southport, North CarolinaBrian Fluetsch, Sunset Air, Lacey, WashingtonKen Groeschel, Jr., Butters-Fetting Company Inc., Milwaukee, WisconsinKathy Kerber, KSM Metal Fabrication, Troy, OhioTom Martin, T.H. Martin Inc., Cleveland, Ohio Celebrating Excellence: Honors and AwardsA 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.’”B.J. GiriBob PopeMatthew SanoThomas Gunning IIITom Szymczak John ItlenBob 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.And the Distinguished Legislative Service Award went to Tom Szymczak of SSM Industries, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Lastly, the Charles Corbett Excellence in Labor Relations Award went to John Itlen of Ilten’s Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, lauded for maintaining labor-management harmony through calm leadership and deep-rooted professional standards.
by John Crowley | Oct 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
Residential: Big Build, Bigger Challenge SMACNA contractors do approximately 75% of all new residential construction in the St. Louis, Missouri, market, so Welsch Heating and Cooling of Maryland Heights, Missouri, had an edge when it was time to bid a unique single-family home. “One of our contractors was the successful bidder for the project and assigned the work to us. Knowing our background and knowing that we could handle such a large project, they were glad that we bid it and glad that we could participate in the work,” says Paul Heimann, Vice President and Comptroller of Welsch Heating and Cooling. The massive 14,300-square-foot, ranch-style home has 28 tons of cooling, about seven times as much as a typical St. Louis home. Welsch took part in every step of the job, joining the complex planning process in June 2021. “We sat through several meetings with the owner, the general contractor and the architects,” Heimann says. “They even had a mechanical engineer. Our portion of the HVAC planning process was to go over how they wanted the house zoned, where they wanted the duct work to run, what kind of equipment they wanted to use, as well as energy efficiencies.” The owner prioritized energy efficiency, so they decided on geothermal heat pumps. Welsch used two water-to-water units for the radiant in floor heating and four water-to-air units for the forced air systems. “We got that bidding and pricing done to make sure that we met the homeowners’ expectations,” Heimann points out. The high CFM kitchen range hood in the luxury kitchen required careful consideration. “Those hoods can suck all the air out of the house, so we installed a heated makeup air fan as well as an Energy Recovery Ventilator for fresh air ventilation,” Heimann says. “Sometimes we see how the air will be extracted from the house and how it’s coming in, and we have to provide for that.” Welsch also compensated for extreme humidity changes. “In St. Louis, we have very dry winters, so we install humidifiers to keep the air moist in the winter, but we have humid summers, so we dehumidify the air to mitigate moisture problems. In the summer, if you’re bringing in outside air, and not treating that air accordingly, you’re bringing very moist air to very cold ductwork. It’s going to make everything sweat.”Welsch purchased round pipes and elbow for the project but fabricated all duct in house. “The gauge we use depends on the size of the ductwork, because if the metal is too big, it gets floppy and makes noise,” Heimann says. “We use anywhere from 22-gauge to 28-gauge galvanized steel, depending on the application. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle. We measure and fabricate every piece to our specifications, so it fits properly, and it looks great at the end.” Welsch custom fabricates 8-foot joints to save time on site. “We use 8-foot joints instead of the usual 5-foot joints, because that means fewer joints to connect as we’re doing a house,” Heimann says. “To comply with local codes, we have to seal all of those joints, so the fewer seals we have, the less time we spend sealing.” For most residences, the huge HVAC system would have been Welsch’s biggest responsibility, but the owners wanted a unique exterior for their dream home. “Not only did we do the HVAC, but we also put a complete metal roof on this house, and the siding of the house was all made of metal,” Heimann says. Welsch fabricated and installed a 22-gauge Rhein Zink metal roof and siding on the home. “We basically wrapped the entire house.” Welsch organized the work as two separate jobs. “We bid on the heating and cooling, and then we gave them a separate bid for the architectural sheet metal,” Heimann says. Two Welsch foremen attended the planning meetings. “We had one foreman in charge of the heating and cooling aspect, and we had another foreman in charge of our architectural department. He understands roof pitches and flat roofs, and how water drains.”Welsch purchased a specialized double seamer for the architectural side of the project. “We needed a smaller seamer than any we could rent,” Heimann says, “so we did some research and bought one, which saved a lot of work hours in the field.” Welsch often completes new homes in nine to 12 months, but this project took about 18 months. “We put our first person on the jobsite in February of 2023, and we finished it at the end of last year,” Heimann says. “We had 4,000 work hours on this project, 3,300 architectural hours and 700 HVAC hours. Only about 100 of those hours were in the shop.” “With any project of this size, the biggest challenge is coordinating with all the other trades,” Heimann says. “We don’t want to be in their way, and they don’t want to be in our way. With the exterior sheet metal work on this particular home, the weather was also a factor. It’s always a challenge to tackle such a big job, but one we take great pride in accomplishing.”
by John Crowley | Oct 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
Industrial: Driving Fabrication Innovation Founded in 1988 in Austin, Texas, Dynamic Systems, a Quanta Services Co., has grown from a small local contractor into a formidable player in precision fabrication and mechanical contracting. “We started here in Austin, Texas in 1988,” says Jay Rohan, Senior Vice President of Operations at Dynamic Systems. “We do piping, plumbing, sheet metal; we’re a full-array contractor.” Most of the company’s locations are in Texas, but they also have offices in New York, North Carolina, Massachusetts and Utah.The company designs and constructs energy-efficient, health-conscious environments across a wide range of specialty sectors, including those in the industrial space. These places face unique challenges, such as high-occupant density, food service proximity and noise pollution — complex environments that need innovative solutions, including energy-efficient underfloor and displacement air systems, CO2 monitoring and pressurization control and code-compliant delivery of outside air. Dynamic Systems has built its reputation on industry best practices that fuse advanced technology, safety-first culture and a focus on customer dedication.MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCY WITH FABRICATION FACILITIESDynamic Systems optimizes project outcomes by focusing on off-site fabrication. The company has 535,000 square feet of fabrication space in the Texas cities of Burlington, Buda, Houston, Dallas, McKinney and College Station, as well as Salt Lake City, Utah; Poughkeepsie, New York; and Boston, Massachusetts. This fabrication focus maximizes cost effectiveness, safety, labor efficiency, material control, logistics, quality and schedule adherence, while minimizing waste. The facilities utilize cutting-edge technologies, including laser cutters, plasma cutters, automated coil and spiral line systems, ED virtual design software, and a comprehensive tracking system that bar codes every item to guarantee traceability and accountability. “One of Dynamic Systems’ claim to fame is that we track, monitor and measure every single aspect that we can of our business,” Rohan says. In 2023, the company started using a new software program called Stratus to digitize its fabrication processes. The software helps integrate data from models, connects to manufacturing tools and creates digital workflows to reduce manual effort and improve efficiency and profitability. The program, “gives us all the pertinent job data. Once that information is given to a superintendent, he can build a job out electronically,” explains Doug Smith, the company’s Director of Technology and Innovation. “It tracks the entire process digitally, so no papers are printed out, no drawings are printed out. It saves on revision control. The model is the revision, the single point of truth.”With Stratus, “we can run regular status reports on projects,” adds Adam Nichols, the company’s Director of Virtual Design and Construction. The employees “on the shop floor are fed their work data in Stratus and it shows them what’s on their plate for the day. As they complete a task on the list, they check it off and it’s done. It also designs and builds the criteria they need for a job on the screen, so they can see how something needs to be built in the program.”More than half of the company’s clients were asking for something like Stratus, Rohan says. “They like the verifiability aspect of tracking every part that’s being put on their job,” he explains. “We even give clients a log-in to our model, so they can see how the project is coming along at any time,” Smith adds. EMPHASIZING SAFETY AND QUALITY AT EVERY TURNThough the company started out small and has grown considerably, it tries to keep a fun culture intact. The company has very little turnover in its management ranks as a result. “The hardest thing has been to keep that culture as we’ve grown, but I think we’ve done a pretty good job of it,” Rohan says. “We always wanted to make it fun. We started out as a little bitty mom-and-pop shop, and now we’re a larger contractor, but we still have the same attitude. We want to have people work here because they enjoy it.”Embedded deep into that culture is the safety aspect. Safety is foundational to Dynamic Systems’ operations. The company culture ingrains safety in every employee because protecting its people and customers comes first. The company’s robust protocols and continuous training programs reflect in their exemplary safety records, enhancing client confidence.“We’ve been able to improve our modifier rate significantly over the years,” Rohan says. “And we’ve gotten better and safer over the years, which is good for us, good for the company and good for the employees.”
