| Take 5 Vol. XXIII, No. 4 |
December 2009
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Merry Christmas
and
Happy New Year!
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We wish you and yours a Merry Christmas,
along with a year of good health, happiness and prosperity from the Mechanical Contractors Association of Georgia! |
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UA SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES DEMONSTRATION TRAILER VISITS MECHANICAL TRADES INSTITUTE/JATT APPRENTICESHIP SCHOOL |
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The UA Sustainable Technologies Demonstration Trailer recently made an appearance at the Mechanical Trades Institute/JATT Apprenticeship School. LU 72 and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Georgia arranged to bring the trailer to the school in order to spotlight some of the latest sustainable technology to the public, to owners, and to members of the political and educational communities.
 A large crowd visited to experience the exhibits and displays featured during the UA Sustainable Technologies Demonstration Trailer's visit to the Mechanical Trades Institute/JATT Apprenticeship School.
The trailer, one of two such trailers being used nationwide, has been described as "a visual aid on wheels."
Above: Gary Black, left, Cleveland Mechanical Services, and George Head, LU 72 business manager, discuss the trailer and its exhibits. Below left: Terry Sinyard, Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local #72 business representative and Georgia State Representative Pat Dooley. Below right: Thurbert Baker, Georgia Attorney General.  Just two months old, this particular trailer features exhibits and displays which spotlight the latest in fixtures and systems designed to save water and energy. Highlights include a working greywater system, high-tech shower heads, and water-saving faucets. These drain into a water basin, from which the water is recyled for use in the row of ultra-efficient toilets on display. A water-free toilet is also on display. The trailer drew a steady crowd of guests, including key industry figures as well as prominent elected officials, throughout its visit.
Above: Shane Strickland, left, JATT Plumbing Instructor and IAPMO Representative, and Derek Behning, right, GreenPoint US, check out some of technology featured in the trailer.
 The trailer featured working exhibits of a number of high-tech fixtures and systems, including a working greywater system, high-tech shower heads, and water-saving faucets, plus a number of ultra-efficient toilet systems.
Above: Rick Oliver, left, UA International Representative, and Abraham Mock, president of Panola Engerprises, Inc., were among those who visited the trailer and experienced its exhibits. Below, from left: George Head, Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local #72 business manager; Thurbert Baker, Georgia Attorney General and Gary Fowler, executive vice president & CEO Mechanical Contractors Association of Georgia.
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MCAA STUDENT CHAPTER SUMMIT A HUGE SUCCESS!
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The Mechanical Contractors Association of America recently held its 2009 Student Chapter Summit in Denver, Colo. The event drew a big turnout from across the United States, including large delegations from Georgia Tech and Southern Polytechnic State University.
Above, from left: Trevor Lee, student, Southern Polytechnic State University; Maureen Weidner, faculty advisor and professor; Construction Management Department Chair Dr. Khalid Siddiqi; Dave Davia, executive for MCAA Colorado, so-sponsor with MCAA of the Denver meeting; Bob Armistead, Armistead Mechanical Inc., and MCAA president elect; and Christopher Ruby, student at Southern Polytechnic State University. Below, from left: Troy Aichele, Stirrett-Johnson, MCAA Student Chapter Committee; Trevor Lee, student, Southern Polytechnic State University; Dr. Baabak Ashuri, faculty advisor, Georgia Tech Student Chapter; and Jared Penny, student, Georgia Tech.
Those attending from Georgia Tech included students Pat Smith, Jared Penny, and Jared DiFiore, and faculty advisor and professor Dr. Baabak Ashuri.
Attending from Southern Polytechnic State University were students Trevor Lee and Christopher Roby, Construction Management Department Chair Dr. Khalid Siddiqi, and faculty advisor and professor Maureen M. Weidner.
Gary Fowler of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Georgia was also in attendance.
At left: Maureen Weidner, faculty advisor and professor, Southern Polytechnic State University, addresses the group during the Student Chapter Summit in Denver.
The focus of this year's Summit was on making the most of emerging trends -- positive as well as challenging. For example, student chapter members learned about a number of key emerging trends, including the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) which contractors are now using to plan and manage construction projects for greater productivity and increased profit.
Above: Student Patrick Smith, Georgia Tech; student Jared Penny, Georgia Tech; Jared DiFiore, Georgia Tech; and faculty advisor and professor Dr. Baabak Ashuri. Below, from left: Troy Aichele, Stirrett-Johnson, MCAA Career Development Committee; Construction Management Department Chair Dr. Khalid Siddiqi, Southern Polytechnic State University; faculty advisor and professor Dr. Baabak Ashuri, Georgia Tech; Trevor Lee, student, Southern Polytechnic State University; Christopher Ruby, student, Southern Polytechnic State University; Patrick Smith, student Southern Polytechnic State University; and Jared Penny and Jared DiFiore, students, Georgia Tech.
Participants also learned about the challenges of being successful in a tough economic climate. Special sessions focused not only on what owners/clients are looking for in project proposals but also on what employers are looking for in prospective employees.
A number of key industry officials addressed the group. Among the presenters were Lonnie Coleman, president of MCAA, and Brett Christiansen, chairman of the MCAA Career Development Committee.
Other highlights included the annual mini-competition "It's All in the Game," which allowed students to team up with students from other chapters to solve a mechanical systems problem.
Info was also provided on the 2009-2010 Student Chapter Competition, which tests participants' skills and knowledge as engineers, managers and future contractors.
 At left: Students enjoy a tour of INVESCO Field at Mile High Stadium, home of the Denver Broncos. The tour featured a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium's mechanical systems.
Two special tours were also available to Summit participants. One provided an opportunity to tour the new Justice Center in Denver, which houses courtrooms, offices, a detention center, a U.S. Post Office and a parking garage. The Post Office and parking facility received LEED Silver certificaion from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The second special tour offered a behind-the-scenes look at the mechanical systems that support INVESCO Field at Mile High Stadium, the home of the Denver Broncos. In the photo below, taken during the students' tour, the blue sign at the upper left reads "WELCOME STUDENTS, FACULTY, CONTRACTORS AND FRIENDS."
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| FLOODING IMPACTS APPRENTICESHIP SCHOOL |
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The severe flooding that impacted Atlanta earlier this year caused major damage to the Mechanical Trades Institute/JATT Apprenticeship School, forcing closure of the facility while flood damage was cleaned up and necessary repair work was completed.
During the peak of the flooding, close to two feet of water covered the site. The result was more than $150,000 in damage to the facility.
Reconstruction is now well underway. After decontaminating the structure and removing flood-damaged flooring and walls, crews replaced electrical systems and other flood-damaged systems. The facility was then treated to prevent mold growth before work began rebuilding the walls and installing new flooring.
The rejuvenated facility is being rebuilt to Green specifications, and the school is expected to reopen and again be fully operational in the very near future.
Recovery from flood damage at the school has required, among other things, replacement of floors, replacement of large portions of walls, and replacement of electrical systems.
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MCAG AND MIC HOLD STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING
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The Mechanical Contractors Association of Georgia and the Mechanical Industries Council recently held a strategic planning meeting in Atlanta to focus on issues that will be important in the future.
The meeting was facilitated by Steve Lamb, Chicago MCA executive.
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MCAG NOVEMBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING FEATURED ROGER C. TUTTEROW, PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AT MERCER UNIVERSITY
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 The Mechanical Contractors Association of Georgia's November meeting featured a fascinating presentation by Dr. Roger C. Tutterow, professor of economics at the Stetson School of Business & Economics at Mercer University.
A large crowd was on hand to hear Tutterow's remarks, which addressed the state of the Georgia economy with a special emphasis on construction.
According to Tutterow, causes of the current recession include the rise in energy costs, the generational downturn in the housing market, and the credit crunch.
He noted that this is the longest and deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression, but he added that he believes we have bottomed out.
"I predict that we will return to normalcy in late 2010 or by the beginning of 2011," he said, but he added that "it will be at a subdued pace."
Tutterow is considered to be one of the nation's foremost economic experts. His analyses of economic, business and political environments have been featured by a variety of national and regional media, including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Times, CNN, CNBC, NPR, Bloomberg Television, and CNN-Radio.
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| SEPTEMBER HERITAGE CLASS SPOTLIGHTS COMMITMENT, PRIDE AND DEDICATION |
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The recent September Heritage Class was held at the Mechanical Trades Institute. These Heritage Classes are a part of the Plumbers & Pipe Fitters Local Union 72 and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Georgia's Joint Apprenticeship and Training program. The Heritage Classes are part of the multifaceted system of training to prepare individuals for mechanical industry occupations. Commitment, pride and dedication were emphasized by each presenter to encourage quality and professionalism in the workplace to improve productivity one day at a time.
  
Above, left to right: Participating in the September Heritage Class were Donnie Woodham, Grant Willis, and George Head. Below: Members of the September Heritage Class.
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PLAN NOW FOR MIC SPRING MEETING RETREAT AT PENSACOLA BEACH!
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It's not too early to mark your calendars for the 2010 MIC Spring Retreat, to be held April 29-May 2 at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front Hotel.  The featured speaker will be David Ashcraft of Business Resource Services. Ashcraft will be presenting a special financial seminar customized for mechanical firms. In his presentation, you will learn what financial statements can really tell you about the health and bankability of your business; how to cut costs with a scalpel rather than a hatchet to meet a targeted profit; how to use a diagnostic roadmap to identify potential causes of financial problems; how to use financial analysis to uncover opportunities to increase cash flow and profits; and how to use break-even analysis to control costs, determine appropriate pricing strategies, and make better purchasing decisions. For more information on the upcoming Spring Meeting contact the MCAG at (770) 934-1427. |
| UPCOMING EVENTS |
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January 13, 2010
Georgia General Assembly Legislative Reception, 191 Club, Atlanta, GA
February 2-4, 2010
MCAA Safety Directors Conference, San Diego, CA
March 28-April 1, 2010
MCAA Annual Convention, San Fancisco, CA
April 29-May 2, 2010 MIC Retreat held at Pensacola Beach Hilton, Pensacola Beach, FL |
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MEMBERSHIP LISTING |
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Mechanical Contractors Association of Georgia Inc.
Mechanical Industries Council
Georgia/Florida National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau
# A Accurate Plumbing Company
ARS Mechanical, LLC
# + Action Elec. & Mech. Contractors
Air Duct & Mech. Component Cleaning
AirCond Corporation
Amason Mechanical Services, Inc.
American HVAC
# Art Plumbing Company
Augusta Chiller Services
# + B & W Mechanical Contractors
Blue Chip Air, Inc.
Boling Heating & Cooling, Inc.
Brantley Services
Building Environ. Systems Services
+ C & M Piping Solutions
Certified Air Conditioning Company
Clark Plumbing Company
# + Cleveland Mechanical Services
Crescent Mechanical Systems, Inc.
# DNS Consolidated
The Dickerson Group, Inc.
Dixie Electrical & Mechanical
Contractors of Macon, Inc.
Dynamic Systems, Inc.
# + Emcon Services
Enerfab, Inc.
Engineered Technical Services, Inc.
Evans Grading Company
Excelco Industrial Services, Inc.
+ F & S Mechanical and Plumbing Service
# 1st Mechanical Services
# Fletcher Mechanical, Inc.
# Alan Foster Plumbing, Inc.
# Frazier Service Company, Inc.
# Galgon HVAC & Mechanical Service
Georgia Central Maintenance Services
# Greenco of Augusta, Inc.
HVAC Control Services, Inc.
HVAC Service, Inc.
# + Paul W. Heard & Company
Hill Company, Inc.
# Honeywell, Incorporated
# + Inglett & Stubbs, Inc.
# Johnson Controls, Inc.
# + K & B Mechanical Contractors
Kinetic Systems
L & C Mechanical
# Linc Mechanical Services
# + MCI Enterprises, Inc.
MLS Concrete Drilling & Sawing
# + Mallory & Evans, Inc.
# Mallory & Evans Service
# + Mann Mechanical Company
# + Maxair, Inc.
McAbee Construction
# + McKenney's, Inc.
Mechanical & Plumbing Solutions, Inc.
# + Mechanical Associates, Inc.
Mechanical Services, Inc.
Merritt & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
Morrison Heating & Air Conditioning
# + Muns Welding & Mechanical, Inc.
PAR Mechanical & Plumbing
P.I.E., Inc.
# Padgett Group
Panola Enterprises, Inc.
# + Patton Mechanical
Payne Williams, Inc.
# + Peachtree Mechanical, Inc.
# + Player and Company
Popham Mechanical Contractors
Prestige Mechanical Contractors
R & R Refrigeration
REI - Ragan Enterprises, Inc.
Ragan Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Rome Mechanical
Shriver Mechanical
Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
Dale Sims Heating & A/C Service
Southern Controls Installations
# + Specialty Mechanical Services, Inc.
# Stallworth Mechanical Contractors
Standridge Plumbing Company
System Controls & Services
# Tenant Mechanical, Inc.
Thomas Contracting
# + J. S. Thomas Companies
Trans Logic Corporation
Viking Industrial, Inc.
# + W. B. Wallis & Company
Welding Services, Inc.
WeldTech Services Corporation
A. L. Williams Heating & Plumbing
# + Willis Mechanical, Inc.
Milton J. Wood Company
# Also Members of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Georgia, Inc.
+ Also Members of the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau
Gary P. Fowler
4500 Hugh Howell Road Suite 250
Tucker, Georgia 30084
770.934.1427 (FAX 770.934.1429)
www.mcageorgia.org
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