Shows
Inside MCAA - The Blueprint For Mechanical ContractingLabor, Leadership, and Learning: MCAA President Brian HughesIn this episode of Inside MCAA, CEO Tim Brink sits down with MCAA President and President of Hughes Environmental Engineering, Brian Hughes.The two discuss Brian’s start in the mechanical contracting industry, his pride in representing member-contractors, and the importance of evolving to meet new challenges. Brian shares his perspective on lifelong learning, the benefits of collaboration, and how contractors can thrive by sharing and adapting best practices, calling his own company a “greatest-hits collection” of lessons learned from MCAA peers.Other topics include labor shortages, diversity of work within the industry, MCAA’s str...
2025-09-1942 minInside MCAA - The Blueprint For Mechanical ContractingCode, Compliance and Craftsmanship: The Role of NCPWB in Mechanical ContractingIn this episode of Inside MCAA, host Frank Favaro welcomes Ron King, Director of the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau (NCPWB), along with Mike Schum, NCPWB Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Operations Administrator at Postler & Jaeckle, and Bob Durr Jr., Vice Chair of the NCPWB Board of Trustees and Director of Manufacturing at Binsky & Snyder. NCPWB is a tripartite organization comprised of contractors, the United Association (UA), and the Welding Bureau itself, with a mission to jointly develop and maintain commonly used welding and brazing procedures. These Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) are the fo...
2025-08-0128 minInside MCAA - The Blueprint For Mechanical ContractingThe State of Service: Solutions, Skills, and the Future of the IndustryIn this episode of Inside MCAA, host Frank Favaro sits down with two leading voices in mechanical contracting service—Renee Fiorelli, President of Peterson Service Company, headquartered in Medford, New Jersey, and Adam Wallenstein, Co-President of Neptune Plumbing, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Together, they examine the current landscape of the service industry, addressing both its momentum and its most pressing challenge: the labor shortage.The conversation highlights strategies for recruitment and workforce development, including partnerships with trade schools, apprenticeships, and targeted outreach to students and parents. Renee and Adam also explore how MSCA’s memb...
2025-05-2124 minInside MCAA - The Blueprint For Mechanical ContractingBuilding Careers, Connections, and the Future of Mechanical ContractingInthis episode of Inside MCAA, host Frank Favaro welcomes Andrew Palcan, Project Manager at Helm Group and Chair of MCAA’s Career Development Committee, and Michele Hoffman, MCAA’s Director of Career Development. Together, they dive into the dynamic programs and powerful connections shaping the next generation of mechanical contracting professionals.Andrew shares his early journey as a student chapter competition team member at Milwaukee School of Engineering to a career-launching handshake at the annual MCAA convention. Michele reflects on how her passion of working with student chapters led to a national role influencing thousands of rising prof...
2025-04-2339 minInside MCAA - The Blueprint For Mechanical ContractingEmpowering Women in the Mechanical Contracting IndustryIn this episode of Inside MCAA: The Blueprint to Mechanical Contracting, host Frank Favaro speaks with Wendy Glauber about her journey in the mechanical contracting industry and her role as chairperson for Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI). Wendy shares how she transitioned from a family business to Danforth in 2017, where she quickly became integral to HR and legal operations. She emphasizes the value of networking and professional relationships in career growth.Frank and Wendy discuss the founding of WiMI in 2019, initiated to support women in mechanical contracting through mentorship, professional development, and networking. Wendy highlights the...
2025-04-0227 minInside MCAA - The Blueprint For Mechanical ContractingProject Management Education for Mechanical Contractors by Mechanical ContractorIn this episode, Frank Favaro is joined by Amy Harding, MCAA Director of Pre-IPM, IPM, AIPM, & ALI, and John Koontz, MCAA Director of Project Management Education, to discuss the significance of professional growth in project management. They share insights into MCAA’s premier education initiatives, including the IPM program, which has been a cornerstone of mechanical project management training since 1987.The conversation highlights the value of experience-driven learning, industry collaboration, and the role of seasoned professionals in shaping the next generation of project managers. Through engaging discussions, the guests provide a behind-the-scenes look at how MCAA’s educa...
2025-03-1235 minInside MCAA - The Blueprint For Mechanical ContractingMCAA’s Advanced Leadership Institute: World-Class Executive Leadership EducationIn this episode of Inside MCAA, we delve into the power of leadership and the transformative role of education in grooming tomorrow’s leaders. Host Frank Favaro speaks with Steve Dawson, President and CEO of Harrell Fish, and co-chair of MCAA’s Advanced Leadership Institute (ALI) committee, about his journey from a battlefield promotion to leading one of Indiana’s most successful mechanical contracting companies. A proud graduate of the third ALI class, Steve shares insights into the critical tools and strategies that shaped his leadership journey, and how ALI, MCAA’s premiere executive education program, helped him develop the skills...
2025-02-1934 minInside MCAA - The Blueprint For Mechanical ContractingField Leaders: Shaping the Future of Field LeadershipIn this episode of Inside MCAA, host Frank Favaro is joined by two industry leaders—Mark Rogers, founder and owner of West Chester Mechanical, and Brian Helm, president and CEO of The Helm Group. Both former MCAA national presidents, Mark and Brian share their extensive knowledge on a topic critical to the future of the industry: developing leadership in field personnel.
As the industry evolves, field leaders are becoming increasingly vital to project success. Mark and Brian discuss the importance of training foremen and field leaders not just in technical skills, but in soft skills such as co...
2025-01-2235 minInside MCAA - The Blueprint For Mechanical ContractingConverge: Building Connections, Driving InnovationIn this episode of Inside MCAA, host Frank Favaro dives into the collaborative dynamics of the MCAA’s Converge event. Joined by Michael Kirby, Director of Job Site Solutions – Mechanical Trades at MILWAUKEE TOOL, and Michael Russo, Owner of Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corp. in New York, the discussion sheds light on the unique value Converge brings to both contractors and manufacturers.
Kirby and Russo share their experiences, emphasizing Converge’s role as a “speed dating” platform for the industry. By fostering high-level, distraction-free conversations, Converge enables stakeholders to discuss challenges, propose innovative solutions, and align on strategies for future...
2024-12-2421 minInside MCAA - The Blueprint For Mechanical ContractingChris Weaver & Sean McGuireIn this episode of Inside MCAA, host Frank Favaro discusses the evolution of technology within mechanical contracting with Sean McGuire, MCAA’s Executive Director, Innovative Technologies and Fabrication, and Chris Weaver, Director of Technology at Andy J. Egan Co., Inc. Together, they talk about the transformative role of technology in the industry and the challenges of driving innovation. Chris shares his journey from a one-man BIM department to leading a team of 17, contributing to his company's growth from $20 million to $300 million in annual revenue. He reflects on the resistance he faced from field teams wary of technology's impact on tr...
2024-11-2032 minInside MCAA - The Blueprint For Mechanical ContractingValerie Pope & John RayburnPrepare for a dynamic and insightful episode featuring two leading voices from the MCAA’s Association Executives Council! Join us as we sit down with John Rayburn from the MCA of Chicago and Valerie Pope from the MCA of Central Ohio. The two association executives share how they got started in the industry and reflect on their collective experiences. From building relationships between contractors and labor to helping them find solutions and pathways forward on projects, the two expand on the challenges and rewards of bringing both parties together. Valerie and John discuss how they help their members connect wi...
2024-10-3031 minInside MCAA - The Blueprint For Mechanical ContractingRaffi Elchemmas & Justin AzbillIn episode 3 of our podcast, Inside MCAA, guest Justin Azbill, Director of National Environment, Health & Safety for Milwaukee Tool, and MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health & Risk Management Raffi Elchemmas, discuss mental health awareness and suicide prevention in the construction industry. They explore the various resources available to MCAA members, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being for workers and organizations. Tune in to gain insights on prioritizing mental health and leveraging available resources for a safer job site.
2024-09-2536 minInside MCAA - The Blueprint For Mechanical ContractingTim BrinkTimothy J. Brink, the CEO of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), launched this podcast with a clear mission: to increase awareness about the diverse offerings and resources available through MCAA. With 2,700 members nationwide, MCAA supports its members in navigating a booming workload by providing essential resources. Brink believes that in a relationship-driven business like mechanical contracting, showcasing the human side of MCAA is crucial. The podcast serves as a platform to highlight the association's commitment to supporting its members and fostering connections within the industry. By spotlighting MCAA's resources and emphasizing its role as a supportive entity...
2024-08-2839 minInside MCAA - The Blueprint For Mechanical ContractingRick GopffarthIn this episode of Inside MCAA, we're joined by Rick Gopffarth, SVP of Preconstruction for Dynamic Systems, a national turnkey mechanical and process construction firm, and the National President of MCAA. Rick emphasizes several critical points including the need for increased field supervision in construction projects, the importance of educating project management staff, and the continuous education for our owners and senior executives to stay "on top of their game" to adapt to the industry's challenges and advancements. Join us to learn more.
2024-07-2341 min
The People BusinessEp. 27 - Robert Beck - Building Meaningful Relationships Coast to CoastIn this episode, we're joined by Robert Beck, CEO of the 140-year-old JOHN W Danforth Company and the National President of MCAA. A true connector of people in the industry, Robert delves into the significance of continually forging and solidifying relationships. He sheds light on the power of influence and its role in serving the greater good for everyone involved. Amid the earnest conversation, Robert highlights the importance of infusing fun into all aspects of the day. #RobertBeckLeadership #MCAAInfluence #FrankFavaro #JohnWDanforthLegacy
2024-02-2231 min