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| Take 5 Vol. XXIII, No. 7 | November 2010
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KEY CANDIDATES DO WELL IN MIDTERM ELECTION
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The 2010 midterm elections are now history. How did it turn out for our industry?
"Every candidate we supported was elected," says Gary Fowler of MCAG, noting that MCAG combined its efforts with those of the Specialty Contractors Coalition of Georgia to support selected candidates in a number of key races.
The MCAG Government Affairs Committee is chaired by Bill Flynn, president of MCAG and president of Mallory & Evans Service Company.
Above, from left: Gary Fowler, MCAG; Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, and Bill Flynn, MCAG president and president of Mallory & Evans Service Company. Below left: Ralph Hudgens, Chairman of Insurance and Labor, with MCAG lobbyist and governmental consultant Lee Lemke.
In the Georgia gobernatorial election, Nathan Deal defeated Roy Barnes 53% to 43%. Other victorious results include the following:
* For Lieutenant Governor: Casey Cagle
* For Secretary of State: Brian Kemp
* For Attorney General: Sam Olens
* For Insurance Commissioner: Ralph Hudgens
* For Agriculture Commissioner: Gary Black
* For Labor Commissioner: Mark Butler
* For Public Service Commissioner: Tim Echols
* For School Superintendent: John Barge
For the first time in history, Republicans swept all constitutional offices in Georgia.
"The Georgia Legislature remained solid Republican in both the Senate and House," notes MCAG lobbyist and governmental consultant Lee Lemke.
"There was a gain of one Republican seat in the Senate and a gain of three Republican seats in the House, making the current total 108 (R), 71 (D), and 1 (I). "In the Senate, Republicans will have 35 seats and the Democrats will have 21 seats."
Constitutional Amendments
Amendment 1: Allow competitive contracts in Georgia: Passed
Amendment 2: Additional $10 on tag fee for trauma care expansion: Denied
Amendment 3: State to execute multiyear contracts for transportation projects: Denied
Amendment 4: State to execute multiyear contracts for energy: Passed
Amendment 5: Owners of industrial-zoned property allowed to remove industrial designation from their property: Passed
Referendum: Inventory of business exempt from state property tax: Passed
 
Above left: Rep. Wendell Willard, 49th District, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and Vice Chairman of the Rules Committee, and his wife Vicki. Above right: Rep. B.J. Pak, District 102, and his wife Sandra.
On the national side, in Georgia Congressional races, all of the incumbents were re-elected with the exception of the 8th district. The midterm elections gave Republicans control of the House of Representatives with at least 239 seats. They also gained at least six new seats in the Senate, putting Republicans at 46 seats with the Democrats sill leading with 49 seats and two independents.
"Equally important," Lemke continues, "the Republican governors won at least 20 state capitals, which is significant in the upcoming reapportionment. The next Congress will focus on improving employment and expanding economic opportunities, doing more with less (by cutting spending), cutting red tape and removing impediments in order to create jobs."
MCA of Georgia's Board of Directors ask that MCAG members support your industry's PAC by making a contribution to MCAG's PAC. Go directly to our web site at http://www.mcageorgia.org or call the MCAG office at 770-934-1427.
MCAA Political Action Committee (PAC)-the members of your Government Affairs Committee continue to increase our PAC fundraising goals to match our legislative policy momentum. MCAA's PAC continues to work to ensure that your voice is heard in Washington, DC. MCAA supports policies that reward high-standards employers and don't unfairly penalize our member contractors for employing highly-skilled union workers. One recent result of the efforts of MCAA's Government Affairs Committee and MCAA's PAC was on November 10, 2010. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) announced that it will defer the effective date for its proposed disclosure rules for employers participating in multiemployer plans. Go to MCAA's web site to read more on this at: http://www.mcaa.org.
MCA of Georgia Board of Directors encourages MCAG members to contribute to MCAA's Political Action Committee. This year's MCAA PAC prior approval solicitation and contribution solicitations are in the mail. Please give them the consideration they have earned when you get them. If you don't want to wait, visit http://www.mcaa.org/private/pac to access the prior authorization form online or call MCAA's General Counsel John McNerney to learn how you can contribute to MCAA's PAC. MCAA continues to work to promote the best interests of your business and to ensure that your voice is heard in Washington.
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MCAG STUDENT CHAPTERS WELL REPRESENTED AT MCAA 2010 STUDENT CHAPTER SUMMIT IN CHICAGO
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More than 200 student representatives from 30 student chapters across North America -- including MCAG's student chapters at Georgia Tech and Southern Polytechnic State University --participated in the recent MCAA 2010 Student Chapter Summit held in Chicago.
The multi-faceted program focused on business basics, with sessions on the factors which figure into the financial side of companies and which looked at Integrated Project Delivery, an approach to project management that brings together the people, systems, business structures and practices to reduce waste and make the most efficient use of those resources through all phases of design, fabrication and construction. Other sessions spotlighted the process of moving into the professional world with a look at interviewing for jobs and at success stories from students who have successfully transitioned from college to career.
In addition, this year's summit featured a special presentation by MCAA President and former MCAA Career Development Committee member Bob Armistead, who opened the Summit with remarks about career opportunities in mechanical construction, service and plumbing.
Above, from left: Mark Rogers, MCAA President-Elect; Patrick O'Connor, Sam West, Kristina Giles, and Candace Giles, Georgia Tech students from the MCAG Georgia Tech student chapter; Bob Armistead, MCAA President; and John Gentille, MCAA Executive Vice President & CEO, at the MCAA 2010 Student Chapter Summit, held last month in Chicago. Below, from left: Maureen Weidner, MCAA Career Development Committee member and Southern Poly Student Chapter Advisor, and Brett Christiansen, Chairman, MCAA Career Development Committee and MCAA national board member. 
Participants also had the opportunity to enjoy a tour of the ITT manufacturing and training facilities in Morton Grove, Ill. An additional tour spotlighted the mechanical systems that support the 24-story, 1.25 million square foot Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in downtown Chicago.
Other highlights included a look at the 2010-11 Student Chapter Competition, a profile of the 2009 Student Chapter of the Year, opportunities for individual chapters to discuss their accomplishments and plans, and the annual mini-competition.
  
Above and below: Student delegates from Southern Polytechnic State University who attended the Student Chapter Summit.
  
Delegates from Southern Poly included Professor Maureen Weidner, the faculty advisor to the Southern Poly student chapter, and students Trent Anderson, Brannon Baxter, John Hand, Scott Sullins, Daniel Barnett, James Walker, Daren Higginbotham, Jordan McKinney, Mitch Carroll, and Jamie Bishop.
Delegates from Georgia Tech included Patrick O'Connor, Sam West, Candace Giles, and Kristina Giles.
Above: Georgia Tech student chapter delegates present an overview of their chapter and its activities. Below: Gary Fowler (MCAG) with Sam West, Candace Giles, Kristina Giles, and Patrick O'Connor, Georgia Tech students from the MCAG Georgia Tech Student Chapter.
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LETICIA MASPONS WILLIS, PRESIDENT OF WILLIS MECHANICAL, INC., NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF THE GEORGIA HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Leticia Maspons Willis, President of Willis Mechanical, Inc., has been elected to serve as Chairman of the Board of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She was elected to this position after having served on the GHCC Executive Committee for two years.
 Leticia has been actively involved in the development of services and programs for the GHCC membership.
"Through the GHCC," she says, "we are promoting our Hispanic-owned small businesses, finding new business opportunities and creating networking opportunities between our large corporations and our membership."
The GHCC presents a variety of networking and educational opportunities, including a business expo, a restaurant expo, and a number of other networking and educational events.
"We also host our Annual Legislative Breakfast, a very well attended event that allows our membership face-to-face time with our legislators." she says.
Leticia adds, "Being in this leadership position has been very rewarding for me. I enjoy helping our entrepreneurs learn and grow through the opportunities available at GHCC."
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REMINDER: DON'T FORGET TO PROVIDE TIMELY WAGE AND FRINGE DATA
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LU 72 Plumbers & Pipefitters Plumber Agent Steve Newsome is requesting the assistance of all signatory contractors working in the LU 72 jurisdiction.
Steve has asked that all signatory contractors provide Prevailing Wage Survey data for any jobs, private or federal, that have been completed within the last year. The data can be returned to him via email at snewsome72@bellsouth.net or via fax at (404) 373-5702.
Inaccurate or out-of-date wage and fringe data puts all signatory contractors at a disadvantage to non-signatory contractors when competing on federally funded construction projects in Georgia, and the MCAG Board encourages you to participate in this survey.
If you have questions, call Steve Newsome at (404) 373-5778.
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MIC FALL SUPERVISORY WORKSHOP FOCUSES ON EVERYDAY NEGOTIATING SKILLS FOR JOBSITE SUPERVISORS AND ON MANAGING YOUR SUBCONTRACTORS
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MIC's 2010 Fall Supervisory Workshop spotlighted a number of topics important to mechanical contracting firms, including "Everyday Negotiating Skills for Jobsite Supervisors" and "Managing Your Subcontractors."
 Facilitator/teacher John Koontz, MCAA's national director for project management and advanced supervisory education, began the workshop with a four-hour session which focused on the negotiating skills that jobsite supervisors need every day. Mechanical foremen spend a significant portion of each day negotiating with their subordinates, general contractors, construction managers, owners, subcontractors, vendors and other trades. These negotiations have a significant direct impact on project success, but the jobsite supervisors involved often have no formal training in negotiating. This session looked at a variety of negotiating topics, including the importance of preparation, negotiating styles, reading the other side, strategies for win-win, when to concede, building relationships, negotiating price, and questioning and listening skills.
Koontz continued the workshop with a session on managing subcontractors. The performance of subcontractors is a direct reflection on your own performance in the eyes of the owner, construction manager, or general contractor. This session looked at understanding the subcontractor's scope of work, managing change orders, proper communication, developing strong relationships, managing safety, coordination and documentation.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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MCAA Industry Improvement Funds Seminar - Resort at Longboat Key, Longboat Key, Florida - December 1 - 3, 2010.
Educational Seminar on the Latest Purge Dam Products - December 6, 2010. Contact Cajun Seeger, Mechanical Trades Institute, Welding Technology Center at 678-486-7600 or cajunseeger@mindspring.com.
MCAA Annual Convention - Wailea, Maui, Hawaii - March 6 - 10, 2011.
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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
A & R Mechanical Enterprises, LLC
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.
# + 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
# Greenco of Augusta, Inc.
HVAC Control Services, Inc.
HVAC Service, Inc.
# + Paul W. Heard & Company
# Honeywell, Incorporated
# + Inglett & Stubbs, Inc.
# Johnson Controls, Inc.
# + K & B Mechanical Contractors L & C Mechanical
# Linc Mechanical Services
Lord Plumbing, Inc.
M & S Specialty Welding
# + MCI Enterprises, Inc.
MDI Services, LLC
MLS Concrete Drilling & Sawing
# + Mallory & Evans, Inc. # Mallory & Evans Service Company
# + 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.
NAX Enterprises, LLC
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
RDH Mechanical Contractors
REI - Ragan Enterprises, Inc.
RTS Water Solutions
Ragan Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Rome Mechanical Shriver Mechanical
Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
Dale Sims Heating & A/C Service
# + Specialty Mechanical Services, Inc.
Standridge Plumbing # Stallworth Mechanical Contractors Standridge Plumbing Company
System Controls & Services
TA Services
# Tenant Mechanical, Inc.
# + J. S. Thomas Mechanical, LLC
# J. S. Thomas Service, Inc. Trans Logic Corporation
Viking Industrial, Inc.
# + W. B. Wallis & Company
Welding Services, Inc. WeldTech Services Corporation A. L. Williams Heating & Plumbing
# + Willis Mechanical, Inc.
# 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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