Speakers

MCAA24_Website_Speakers_Opening Session

Opening General Session

Featuring MCAA President Robert Beck, UA General President Mark McManus and Jocko Willink

 

Jocko Willink is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer, co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win and The Dichotomy of Leadership, host of the top-rated Jocko Podcast and co-founder of Echelon Front, where he serves as Chief Executive Officer, leadership instructor, speaker and strategic advisor.

He spent 20 years in the SEAL Teams, starting as an enlisted SEAL and rising through the ranks to become a SEAL officer and commander of SEAL Team Three’s Task Unit Bruiser. Task Unit Bruiser became the most highly decorated Special Operations Unit of the Iraq War.

Willink returned from Iraq to serve as Officer-in-Charge of training for all West Coast SEAL Teams. There, he spearheaded the development of leadership training and personally instructed and mentored the next generation of SEAL leaders.

MCAA24_Website_Speakers_Opening Session
MCAA24_Website_Speakers_Brunch
MCAA24_Website_Speakers_Brunch

Brunch

Featuring Soledad O'Brien
Sponsored by Ferguson

 

Soledad O’Brien is an award-winning documentarian, journalist, speaker, author, philanthropist and founder of Soledad O’Brien Productions, a media production company dedicated to telling empowering and authentic stories on a range of social issues. She is a correspondent for HBO Real Sports and an anchor and producer of "Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien," a political magazine program syndicated in 95% of the country for Hearst Television.

O’Brien and her husband Brad founded the PowHerful foundation in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which has helped dozens of young women get to and through college and has connected thousands of young women with mentoring conferences.

MCAA24_Website_Speakers_Awards Breakfast

Awards of Excellence Breakfast

Featuring Jim Kelly
Sponsored by MILWAUKEE TOOL

 

Jim Kelly is a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback who spent his entire NFL career as a Buffalo Bill. His hallmark as a player was his toughness. From growing up in East Brady, a small town in Pennsylvania, to facing a career threatening injury in his college days, to leading the Buffalo Bills team to an unprecedented four straight AFC championships, Kelly’s toughness has been tested time and time again.

After his retirement, not only did he lose his one and only son Hunter at the age of 8 to a disease called Krabbe Leukodystrophy, he also survived three battles with cancer. Kelly speaks about the power of the four F’s—Faith, Family, Friends and Fans—and what it really means to make a difference.

MCAA24_Website_Speakers_Awards Breakfast
MCAA24_Website_Speakers_Closing Session
MCAA24_Website_Speakers_Closing Session

Closing General Session & Changing of the Guard

Featuring Oz Pearlman
Closing Session Speaker sponsored by Zurn Elkay Water Solutions

 

Oz Pearlman amazed the country on TV’s #1 rated show, America’s Got Talent. Week after week, he performed mind blowing mentalism routines never seen before and quickly became a fan favorite, winning third place out of thousands of acts. His client list reads like a who's who of politicians, professional athletes, A-list celebrities and Fortune 500 companies. Pearlman has appeared on the TODAY Show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Harry Connick Jr. Show, Rachael Ray, Dr. Oz, CNBC Squawk Box, ABC World News, ESPN, CNBC, NFL Network, Bravo, Fox Business and many more.
In 2018, he had his own TV special on a major national network that won an Emmy Award the following year. Pearlman’s unique blend of mind reading and mentalism creates an interactive experience redefining the very nature of a magic show... one that truly needs to be seen to be believed!

Jeremy Millard

Project Manager, MMC Contractors Read the Bio

Jeremy Millard

Project Manager, MMC Contractors
Jeremy graduated from Missouri University of Science and Technology in 2015 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He received his Master’s in Engineering Management in 2017 before beginning his career at MMC Contractors as an Estimator. In 2018, he worked on a variety of projects as a Project Engineer including the Olathe Medical Center Cancer Center, Cerner Innovation Campus, Cerner Data Center, and Advent Health South Overland Park Campus. He was promoted in 2023 to Project Manager, expanding his portfolio of projects with the Sobela Ocean Aquarium at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, the expansion of the Nuuly Fulfillment and Distribution Center, and the Federal Correctional Institution and Federal Prison Camp Leavenworth, KS.

Sabrina Pavlova

Project Manager/Estimator, Springfield Engineering Group Read the Bio

Sabrina Pavlova

Project Manager/Estimator, Springfield Engineering Group
Sabrina Pavlova graduated from Missouri State University with a B.S. in Construction Management in May of 2022. As a student, Sabrina stayed involved with her MCAA Student Chapter, receiving a WiMI scholarship and taking second place in the student competition her senior year. Currently, Sabrina works for Springfield Engineering Company (SECO) as a Project Manager/Estimator and sits on MCAA’s Career Development Committee.

Justin Blackledge

Project Manager, The Waldinger Corporation Read the Bio

Justin Blackledge

Project Manager, The Waldinger Corporation
Justin attended the University of Nebraska from 2011 through 2015. During his time in school, he was one of the 4 members to help rehabilitate the student chapter which had struggled in previous years to attract and retain members. Through his tenure at the University of Nebraska, he was able to assist the local MCA office in revamping the student chapter and offer suggestions to broaden and strengthen the chapter. The student chapter quickly grew and has been holding steady with membership for the past decade. Currently, Justin is a Project Manager at The Waldinger Corporation and also serves on the MCAA Career Development Committee.

Anne Finerfrock

Vice President, W.E. Bowers Read the Bio

Anne Finerfrock

Vice President, W.E. Bowers
Anne is a Vice President at W.E. Bowers in the DC metro area. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, she returned to the mechanical contractor she interned with as an assistant project manager. Corporately, she leads the company’s project controls, workforce development and training initiatives. She is active with the MCA of Metropolitan Washington as a trustee on the Industry Fund Trust and serves as a contractor representative on the UA Local 5 Plumbing Medical Fund. At the national level, she is a member of the MCAA Board of Directors and sits on both the Career Development and Project Managers Education Committees.

Dr. Paul Sambanis

Vice President of Sustainability, SLOAN Read the Bio

Dr. Paul Sambanis

Vice President of Sustainability, SLOAN
Dr. Paul Sambanis is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Director of the Emergency Management and Continuity Planning Program at UIC's School of Public Health and Vice President of Sustainability at Sloan. His current position at Sloan involves developing, managing, and constantly improving the sustainability program across the company, as well as developing the company’s corporate social responsibility strategy, implementing programs to drive citizenship performance, and elevating Sloan Valve Company’s profile as a leading corporate citizen.

Kasey Boxleitner

Decarbonization Sales Leader of the Commercial HVAC Americas, Trane Technologies Read the Bio

Kasey Boxleitner

Decarbonization Sales Leader of the Commercial HVAC Americas, Trane Technologies
Kasey Boxleitner is the Decarbonization Sales Leader of the Commercial HVAC Americas business for Trane Technologies plc. In this role, Kasey has responsibility for driving growth in the decarbonization space. She aids internal efforts to develop and implement standard work practices for strategic growth initiatives while supporting customer efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Kasey joined Trane after graduating from the University of Wisconsin with her bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. She has held various roles with Trane leveraging her engineering background to help customers achieve their goals. Her specialty is the design and implementation of decarbonized systems.

Denise Vaughn

Vice President of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Ferguson Read the Bio

Denise Vaughn

Vice President of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Ferguson

Denise Vaughn is the Vice President of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) for Ferguson, a $29.7B value-added distributor in North America providing expertise, solutions, and products from infrastructure, plumbing and appliances to HVAC, fire, fabrication and more. As a member of Ferguson’s Executive Leadership Team, Denise is responsible for the company’s overarching ESG strategy, ensuring integration into business strategy and operations. She works cross-functionally to identify opportunities and partnerships to help Ferguson deliver on its short- and long-term ESG goals, maximize impact and effectively communicate with all stakeholders. She also leads an integrated team that directs Ferguson’s social impact with a focus on housing, clean water and sanitation and skilled trades. Through Ferguson Cares, the company provides grants and encourages its associates to serve communities across the country. Previously, Denise led Ferguson’s internal and external communications. She served as a primary company spokesperson and advised leaders on effective communication strategies, drove engagement and consistent messaging among the company’s stakeholders to include more than 35,000 associates across North America, customers, vendors, shareholders and investors.

Aidan Niggel

Director of Sustainability, Victaulic Read the Bio

Aidan Niggel

Director of Sustainability, Victaulic
Aidan Niggel serves as the Director of Sustainability at Victaulic, headquartered in Easton, Pennsylvania. With a background in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University, Aidan brings a wealth of experience to his role. Prior to joining Victaulic in 2010, he held key positions at Occidental Chemical, ICI Americas, and WL Gore and Associates.  Throughout his career, Aidan has been dedicated to Product Management, Product Development, and Business Management roles. His collaborative approach involves close coordination with various company functions, including Sales, Marketing, Operations, Engineering, Finance, and Legal departments.  In response to customer feedback and upcoming legislation, Aidan was tasked in 2022 with creating and developing Victaulic's Sustainability strategy. In this capacity, he has benchmarked the company's current status, providing valuable insights to executive leadership. Aidan advises on Sustainability initiatives, oversees the development of Sustainability reports, ensures compliance with upcoming legislation, and engages with internal and external stakeholders. Currently, Aidan is actively outlining Victaulic's 5-year Sustainability plan, marking a significant step forward in the company's commitment to sustainability.   

Steve Hinshaw

Director, Business Development, P1 Construction Read the Bio

Steve Hinshaw

Director, Business Development, P1 Construction
Steve Hinshaw is the current Director of Business Development at P1 Construction located in Lenexa, KS. He also serves as an operations manager overseeing the VDC Department and the mechanical fabrication shops (plumbing, piping, sheet metal and millwright) for P1 Construction. Steve has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kanas. He has been in the mechanical contracting industry for 31 years. He is a 11-year member of PFI (Pipe Fabrication Institute) and is the current Chairman of PFI.

Omar Abdallah

Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, D.V. Brown & Associates Read the Bio

Omar Abdallah

Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, D.V. Brown & Associates

Omar Abdallah is the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of D.V. Brown & Associates, located in Tonawanda, New York. Omar serves as a member of MCAA’s Education Committee.

Kane Armistead

Vice President, Operations, AMI Services, Inc. Read the Bio

Kane Armistead

Vice President, Operations, AMI Services, Inc.

Kane Armistead is Vice President, Operations at AMI Services, Inc., where he is responsible for all daily operations and profitability. Kane serves as a Trustee for UA Local 373 and serves on the MCAA Education Committee and the MSCA Labor Relations Committee.

Robert Beck

CEO, John W. Danforth Company Read the Bio

Robert Beck

CEO, John W. Danforth Company
Robert Beck is CEO of the John W. Danforth Company and serves as President on MCAA’s Executive Committee.

Star Bobatoon

International Speaker, Presentation Coach and Trainer Read the Bio

Star Bobatoon

International Speaker, Presentation Coach and Trainer
Star Bobatoon’s background as an employment attorney gives her valuable insight into HR and corporate management issues. With over a decade of performance on stage, television and the big screen, Star delivers that insight in a high-energy and engaging style that makes a lasting impact on her audiences and clients. Star was trained as a motivational speaker by world-renowned motivational speaker Les Brown, and she also ran his speaker training program. As the top-selling trainer for a national training company, Star helped corporate audiences all over the country achieve higher standards of personal and professional excellence.

Robert Bolton

CEO and President, Arden Building Companies LLC Read the Bio

Robert Bolton

CEO and President, Arden Building Companies LLC

Bob Bolton is CEO and President of Arden Building Companies, LLC, a full-service mechanical, sheet metal and electrical contractor located in Pawtucket, RI, and serving the greater Boston, MA, Hartford, CT, and Providence, RI, markets. Additionally, Bob is MCAA Immediate Past President and serves as Co-Chair of the Industrial Relations Council.

Kevin Brown

Kevin Brown’s unconventional path to business and personal success has taught him that winning in business and in life requires anything but conventional thinking. With a streetwise aptitude and a never quit attitude, he worked his way from the front lines in business to the executive boardroom. After a career in franchising that spanned 30 years, Brown decided to pursue his passion for bringing The HERO Effect® message to as many people and organizations as possible. The HERO Effect® is a simple philosophy that separates world-class organizations and high-performance people from everybody else. Brown now helps people expand their vision, develop their potential and grow their results. And as the father of a child with autism, he knows firsthand how the principles of true success reach beyond the boardroom and into the lives of real people facing the challenges of everyday life.

Chris Carter

Executive Vice President, Murphy Company Read the Bio

Chris Carter

Executive Vice President, Murphy Company

Chris Carter is Executive Vice President of Murphy Company where he leads strategic direction for service in all markets, identifies and develops improvement initiatives and defines policy and procedures. Chris is a member of the MCAA Board of Directors and a member of the MCA of Eastern Missouri’s Joint Apprenticeship Training and Industry Improvement Committees.

Dr. Christian Conte

Dr. Christian Conte is one of the country’s most accomplished specialists in compassionate leadership and communications. His prodigious background in mental health and emotional management enables him to bring a unique and compelling perspective to his presentations, as well as valuable tools to leave behind for his audience.

Renee Fiorelli

President, Peterson Service Company Read the Bio

Renee Fiorelli

President, Peterson Service Company

Renee Fiorelli is President and second-generation owner of Peterson Service Company, a commercial HVAC and smart building controls company operating out of Medford, New Jersey. Peterson Service is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise with customers including healthcare, schools, municipalities and industrial sites in the New Jersey and Philadelphia marketplace. Renee is very active in the mechanical contracting industry and currently serves as Co-Chair for the International Training Fund and Vice Chair of MSCA.

Anthony Gallagher

Director - Trade Jurisdiction, UA Read the Bio

Anthony Gallagher

Director - Trade Jurisdiction, UA

Anthony Gallagher was elected unanimously as an International Representative at the UA 40th General Convention in August 2021. He had been named Director of Trade Jurisdiction on November 1, 2019. Prior to this appointment, he had served as an International Representative for the HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) sector of the United Association, effective October 23, 2019. Brother Gallagher had the privilege to serve Steamfitters Local 420, Philadelphia, PA, in various positions as both an elected and appointed official.

Sarabeth Gandara

Preconstruction Manager, U.S. Engineering Construction Read the Bio

Sarabeth Gandara

Preconstruction Manager, U.S. Engineering Construction

Sarabeth Gandara is Preconstruction Manager of U.S. Engineering Construction in Denver, Colorado. She is heavily involved in planning and recruiting for their internship program. She is a member of the MCAA Career Development Committee and is committed to helping students find their fit in the construction industry.

John Geiling

President, JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Services Read the Bio

John Geiling

President, JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Services

John Geiling is President of JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Services located in Jessup, MD. He is a member of the MCAA Board of Directors, current chair of the PCA committee and a past member of the MSCA Education Committee.

Rick Gopffarth

VP of Preconstruction, Dynamic Systems, Inc. Read the Bio

Rick Gopffarth

VP of Preconstruction, Dynamic Systems, Inc.

Rick Gopffarth is VP of Preconstruction in Dynamic Systems’ North Texas Division and oversees business development, estimating and engineering activities. He manages mechanical projects within the semiconductor, pharmaceutical, mission-critical, healthcare, laboratory and large commercial industries. Additionally, Rick serves as President-Elect on MCAA’s Executive Committee and Chair of MCAA’s Education Committee.

Kori Gormley-Huppert

President and Owner, Gormley Plumbing + Mechanical Read the Bio

Kori Gormley-Huppert

President and Owner, Gormley Plumbing + Mechanical

Kori Gormley-Huppert is President and fourth-generation owner of Gormley Plumbing + Mechanical, based in McMinnville, Oregon. She is a member of the MCAA Board of Directors, a member of the PCA Board and the former Chair of the Women in the Mechanical Industry Committee.

Brian Helm

President, Helm Group, Inc. Read the Bio

Brian Helm

President, Helm Group, Inc.

Brian Helm is President of Helm Group, Inc., one of the largest specialty contractors in the Midwest, serving primarily Chicago, Milwaukee, Kansas City and Omaha. Additionally, Brian is President of MCAA’s John R. Gentille Foundation, an MCAA Past President and the recipient of the 2022 Distinguished Service Award, MCAA’s highest industry honor.

Andy Hosler

President and CEO, Performance Mechanical, Inc. Read the Bio

Andy Hosler

President and CEO, Performance Mechanical, Inc.

Andy Hosler has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry. He’s participated at every level of the construction process and relies on his extensive experience to guide his leadership as President and CEO for Performance Mechanical, Inc. Additionally, Andy is a past President of the Northern California MCA and serves on MCAA’s Education and Labor Estimating Manual Committees.

Chieh Huang

Entrepreneur

Chieh Huang is an entrepreneur and visionary leader who is passionate about using his experience to help others succeed. He has been featured in many media outlets and was named to Goldman Sach’s “100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs.

Brian Hughes

President, Hughes Environmental Engineering Read the Bio

Brian Hughes

President, Hughes Environmental Engineering

Brian Hughes is President of Hughes Environmental Engineering, a fourth-generation family company, with a significant presence in the commercial and industrial HVAC and refrigeration market. Brian serves as Senior VP/Treasurer on MCAA’s Executive Committee, Vice President of the John R. Gentille Foundation and as a board member for the MCA of New Jersey.

Chris Hutchings

President, MMC Contractors National Read the Bio

Chris Hutchings

President, MMC Contractors National

Chris Hutchings is President of MMC Contractors National located in Kansas City, Missouri. Additionally, he is a member of MCAA’s Board of Directors, the Project Managers Education Committee and President of the MCA of Kansas City.

Diana Kander

New York Times Best-Selling Author & Innovation Consultant Read the Bio

Diana Kander

New York Times Best-Selling Author & Innovation Consultant

As a New York Times best-selling author and innovation consultant, Diana Kander has spent her career challenging assumptions and asking big questions—what kind of culture needs to exist in an organization to ensure innovative ideas and practices? How has Snoop Dogg continued to innovate decade after decade to stay relevant to the next generation? What causes name brands to lose relevance with their customers and go out of business? As a serial entrepreneur who entered the United States as a refugee at the age of eight, she has launched and sold millions of dollars’ worth of products and services.

John Koontz

Director of Project Management Education, MCAA Read the Bio

John Koontz

Director of Project Management Education, MCAA

John Koontz has over four decades of wide-ranging mechanical industry experience that includes contracting, academics and consulting. He has been with MCAA since 1999 traveling across the country speaking, teaching, training, consulting and writing about all subjects related to project management and the mechanical contracting industry.

Alice Leung

Vice President, Platform & Product Strategy, Brick & Mortar Ventures Read the Bio

Alice Leung

Vice President, Platform & Product Strategy, Brick & Mortar Ventures

Alice Leung is Vice President, Platform & Product Strategy at Brick & Mortar Ventures. She holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Brown University where she was on the Formula SAE racecar team and worked in a materials science lab researching lead-free piezoelectrics.

Al May

President, North Mechanical Services Read the Bio

Al May

President, North Mechanical Services

Al May is President with North Mechanical Services in Indianapolis, IN. Al's 32 years of experience began in residential/light commercial service, moved to BAS construction and then into leading service in 2001. Since 2012, the North service division has grown from 12 people in the field to 115 with four locations in Indiana.

Sean McGuire

Executive Director of Innovative Technologies & Fabrication, MCAA Read the Bio

Sean McGuire

Executive Director of Innovative Technologies & Fabrication, MCAA

Sean McGuire is MCAA’s Executive Director of Innovative Technologies & Fabrication. In his position, he works with the MCAA Technology Committee to create research and education on new technology, tools and processes that can impact MCAA members. He is also the liaison for the MCAA Fabrication Committee and the John R. Gentille Foundation.

Michael McLin

Managing Director, Maxim Consulting Group Read the Bio

Michael McLin

Managing Director, Maxim Consulting Group

Michael McLin is the Managing Director at Maxim Consulting Group responsible for leading the business and guiding the strategic direction. Michael works with construction-related firms of all sizes to evaluate business practices and assist with management challenges.

Mark McManus

United Association General President Read the Bio

Mark McManus

United Association General President
In August 2021, at the UA’s 40th General Convention, Mark McManus was unanimously re-elected to a second term as General President of the United Association (UA), where he will continue to lead the nation's most progressive and influential trade union, representing more than 375,000 highly skilled mechanics in the plumbing and pipefitting industry. Mark began his career with the UA in 1983 when he was initiated into Plumbers Local 24 in Newark, New Jersey. He was elected Business Agent in 1994 and Business Manager in 1997. His talents and leadership brought him to the United Association General Office in 2007, where he has served as International Representative and Administrative Assistant to the General President. He served five- year terms as General Secretary-Treasurer and as General President prior to being re-elected to a second five-year term as General President. General President Mark McManus is responsible for supervising the day-to-day affairs of the United Association and for decisions concerning internal union governance, as well as rendering decisions and adjusting disputes and other matters affecting the organization. He is the Chairman of the UA General Executive Board, UA Strategic Planning Committee, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees on multiple UA pension funds. Mark McManus supervises the development and implementation of all major policies and programs of the United Association, including the industry-leading UA Veterans in Piping® (VIP) Program. In addition, he serves as Vice President of the Executive Council of the Metal Trades Department, is a member of the Building Trades’ Governing Board of Presidents and serves on the Board of Directors of Helmets to Hardhats. In April 2020, General President McManus was appointed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to serve on his Coronavirus Recovery Team, where he worked in part to advise the Governor on the necessary steps for restarting Maryland’s economy and reopening businesses across the state. Mark and the UA are extremely active in all aspects of the political world—national, state, and local—in a bipartisan manner. Mark McManus has had a distinguished career in support of our nation's hardworking men and women and is unwavering in his commitment to a strong and mutually beneficial partnership between labor and management.

Chip Mitchell

Founder and Principal, Blue Fence Advisors Read the Bio

Chip Mitchell

Founder and Principal, Blue Fence Advisors

Chip Mitchell is the founder and principal of Blue Fence Advisors and a senior level executive with more than 30 years of combined business and legal experience. He also serves as a private arbitrator and mediator and he is a panel member with the American Arbitration Association.

Jake Olsen

CEO, GTP Software

Jake Olsen, P.E., has worked in the construction industry as an engineer and entrepreneur for over 20 years in the USA and abroad. He is currently the CEO of GTP Software, the leading software provider for MEP contractors looking to improve their design, fabrication and field construction workflows with tools such as Stratus, FieldOrderz and Wireworks.

Rory Olson

President of Building Services, MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions Read the Bio

Rory Olson

President of Building Services, MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions

Rory Olson is President of Building Services at MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions, one of the largest mechanical contractors in the Pacific Northwest. He is active with the MCA of Western Washington and an affiliate instructor at the University of Washington. He is the faculty advisor to the University of WA student chapter.  

Andrew Palcan

Project Manager, Helm Group, Inc. Read the Bio

Andrew Palcan

Project Manager, Helm Group, Inc.

Andrew Palcan is a Project Manager with Helm Group, Inc. one of the largest specialty contractors in the Midwest, serving primarily Chicago, Milwaukee, Kansas City and Omaha. He has served on the MCAA Career Development Committee for three years, taking on the role of Chair in 2021.

Michael A. Pleasant

Assistant General President, United Association Read the Bio

Michael A. Pleasant

Assistant General President, United Association
Brother Michael Pleasant has been a member of the United Association for more than 40 years, and throughout those years, he not only learned the skills of his trade, but at the same time rose to the highest levels of leadership in the UA. A native of Robinson, Illinois, he completed his apprenticeship with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 157 in Terre Haute, Indiana and went on to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Ivy Tech State College. He gained considerable jobsite experience on projects ranging from small plumbing jobs to major industrial construction before beginning his leadership career in 1996.   Mike’s local union leadership started when he was elected to his home local union’s Executive Board, where he served for six years. During this time, he was also appointed as an Agent, a post he held until he was elected Business Agent in 2001. In 2004, he was elected Business Manager and was re-elected to a second term as Business Manager in 2007. He also served as Secretary-Treasurer for the Lincoln Land and the Wabash Valley Building Trades Councils and President of the Indiana State Pipe Trades Association.  He continued in those capacities until 2009 when he was appointed as a UA Special Representative assigned to the General Office in Annapolis, Maryland.   In August 2011, at the 38th General Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, he was unanimously elected International Representative as the Director of Trade Jurisdiction, a position he held since March 1, 2011. Brother Pleasant was appointed Administrative Assistant to the General President on November 1, 2013. In July 2014, the UA General Executive Board elected Brother Pleasant as the Assistant General President.  He has since been unanimously re-elected twice to the office of Assistant General President; first in August 2016 at the 39th General Convention, and second in August 2021 at the 40th General Convention, both held in San Diego, California.   Today, as Assistant General President, Mike Pleasant is tasked with supporting General President Mark McManus with his duties and responsibilities and at times is directed to act on behalf of the General President in any manner the General President deems necessary or proper. General President McManus has entrusted Brother Pleasant with various duties and responsibilities, including, but not limited to, overseeing the United Association Directors and Department Heads, as well as the administration of several of the UA National Agreements, including the National Industrial Maintenance Agreement (NIMA); the National Power Generation Agreement (NPMA); the National Fabrication Agreement; the National Specialty Agreement (NSA); and the National Instrument Tech Agreement (UA/IBEW). Since 2012, Mike Pleasant has served as the elected President and Labor Co-Chair of the National Maintenance Agreement Policy Committee (NMAPC). Brother Pleasant serves as a trustee on The Plumbers and Pipefitters National Pension Fund, the Local Union Officers and Employees Pension Fund, and the General Officers and Employees Pension Fund.

Joe Pesci

Manager, GEM Inc. Read the Bio

Joe Pesci

Manager, GEM Inc.

Joe Pesci is a manager at GEM Inc. headquartered in Walbridge, Ohio, and oversees project managers, estimators and project engineers. He is a graduate of the MCAA’s IPM, AIMP and ALI programs. He is also a member of the Project Management Education Committee and was recently appointed Vice Chair.

Michael Potts

Senior Vice President, ACCO Engineered Systems Read the Bio

Michael Potts

Senior Vice President, ACCO Engineered Systems

Michael Potts is Senior Vice President of ACCO Engineered Systems and has more than 25 years in the HVAC industry in construction and service aspects. Additionally, he contributes to the advancement of the industry as a board member for Northern California MCA and serves on the MCAA Education Committee.

Mark Rogers

President and Founder, West Chester Mechanical Contractors Read the Bio

Mark Rogers

President and Founder, West Chester Mechanical Contractors

Mark Rogers is President and Founder of West Chester Mechanical Contractors, an HVAC, service and plumbing contractor that serves the Philadelphia, PA, area specializing in private commercial work in the healthcare and educational arenas. Additionally, Mark is Co-Chair of the UA/MCAA Strategic Planning Committee, an MCAA Past President and the recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Service Award, MCAA’s highest industry honor.

Jason Strickle

Vice President and Market Sales Manager, John W. Danforth Company Read the Bio

Jason Strickle

Vice President and Market Sales Manager, John W. Danforth Company

Jason Strickle is the Vice President and Market Sales Manager for Danforth’s Columbus, Ohio, regional office where he is responsible for overseeing business development and operational functions. He also leads the construction operations with responsibilities ranging from P&L accountability for all projects, coordination with the VDC and fabrication departments, client relationship management and employee development and training.

Christopher Thornberg

Founder, Beacon Economics LLC Read the Bio

Christopher Thornberg

Founder, Beacon Economics LLC

Christopher Thornberg founded Beacon Economics LLC in 2006. Under his leadership the firm has become one of the most respected research organizations in California. He also served as Director of the UC Riverside School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development and was an Adjunct Professor at the school from 2015-2023.

Michael Wallenstein

Co-President, Neptune Plumbing Read the Bio

Michael Wallenstein

Co-President, Neptune Plumbing

Michael Wallenstein is Co-President of Neptune Plumbing located in Cleveland, OH. He is a member of the PCA Board.

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