The President’s Men

Phc News conducts exclusive interviews with MCAA presidents Lonnie Coleman and Robert Armistead

Since its inception in 1889, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), under a different name, has been instrumental in the plumbing and mechanical industry. Founded in 1889, MCAA was then called the National Association of Master Steam and Hot Water Fitters. In 1918, the leadership changed the name to Heating and Piping Contractors National Association (HPC). With the advent of air conditioning, the leadership in 1933 renamed the organization The Heating, Piping And Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (HPACC). Finally, in May 1955 the organization became known as the Mechanical Contractors Association Of America, Inc., its fourth and, to-date, final identity.

Phc News recently conducted exclusive interviews with current MCAA president, Lonnie Coleman, and MCAA president-elect, Robert Armistead. Here are their views on the industry and the MCAA. The following interview was with Lonnie Coleman.

Phc: How did you get involved with the mechanical industry?

Coleman: My introduction into the mechanical contracting industry started when I accepted an invitation in 1969 to serve a pipefitters’ apprenticeship in Cleveland. Upon completion of the five-year apprenticeship, and working two more years as a journeyman pipefitter, I realized there was not a lot of upward mobility for me as a pipefitter and decided to start my own mechanical contracting business. The founding of the business was accomplished in 1976.

Phc: Among the faces of past MCAA presidents, can you describe the significance of being chosen to lead the MCAA?

Coleman: I am deeply honored to have been chosen to lead the MCAA this year as its president. I love the fact that this put me in a position to help make a difference and create opportunities for others. Each MCAA president before me advanced the industry and it has been a privilege for me to follow in their footsteps. I also want to recognize all our volunteers who serve on our Board of Directors, our many Committees, as leaders of the MSCA and PCA, on our Manufacturer/Supplier Council, and in so many other ways.

Phc: What were your initiatives for the MCAA as president?

Coleman: When I took over as MCAA president last March from Jack Wilhelmi, I announced four areas in which to focus to build on Jack’s accomplishments and further benefit our members. First, I wanted to help our contractors add to their knowledge and expertise to become the “go-to contractors” as more private owners and public agencies use fast tracking, design build and building information modeling. Second, I wanted to continue providing first-rate educational programs for our members to help them excel in managing their people and resources. Third, I wanted to continue our efforts to enhance and build our markets. And last, but certainly not least, I wanted to continue our strong relationship with our labor partners at the United Association as we work toward our common goals.

Phc: Do you feel that you met your goals? Explain.

Coleman: Absolutely. I am delighted that despite the recession, the association is in excellent shape as I turn it over to Bob Armistead. Our educational offerings have continued to be sell-outs. We held new programs on Building Information Modeling (bim) and Project Acquisition. We lobbied extensively and effectively on the Hill and with the Obama Administration to expand our markets. Along with the United Association, as founding members of the Rebuilding America Coalition, we have made the case for what this industry can accomplish to improve the energy efficiency of our nation’s building stock and reduce our use of imported oil. We also have been very active in lobbying on pension reform, health care reform and procurement issues.

Phc: The economy, the economy, the economy. I would have to imagine that it was a tough year economy-wise as president. Did the economy affect your vision as president?

Coleman: The economy certainly made it a tough year for our industry. But in all honesty, the recession didn’t make my job at MCAA any harder this year, just different. We were able to add to our member benefits and provide additional resources to help our members succeed in new markets and offer new services, especially in the energy services and high performance building areas.

Phc: What advice do you have for the struggling contractor?

Coleman: As I have gone around the country this year I have urged our members to stay strong. This is the time to refocus and look ahead at how our industry is changing. They can use this time to take advantage of MCAA’s educational opportunities and prepare their company for the eventual and inevitable upturn. Going forward this is still an industry of great opportunity.

Phc: How do you see the economy in 2010?

Coleman: It’s clear that 2010 will be down from peak levels across almost all of our markets and in most regions of the country. In most markets, 2011 basically will be flat, as compared to 2010. We expect that most construction markets will begin to trend upward into 2012. One bright spot that our contractors are focusing on is green and sustainable construction, which cuts across all market segments. We expect energy efficiency retrofits, as well as high performing new construction to be increasingly popular in all types of buildings and market segments.

Phc: Briefly describe the benefits of an MCAA membership? (Seminars, educational materials, conventions, etc.)

Coleman: MCAA is widely known as the Education Association…and for good reason. Throughout the year, MCAA provides a variety of educational offerings that are designed to advance our members’ knowledge about new industry trends, technologies and practices.

This year, we are particularly proud that we have expanded our online webinars to encompass a wide range of our programs and services for members, including green and high performance construction, management methods, safety, bim and information technology — all to our members’ desktops.

Of course, our workshops, seminars and institutes continue to sell out, and we have programs again this year on prefabrication, bim and other business topics. We also have first-rate industry leaders that teach across the country through our National Education Initiative seminars. And our Advanced Leadership Institute continues to provide world-class entrepreneurial education for our members’ senior executives.

These educational offerings are in addition to the Web-based Labor Estimating Manual, our entire suite of safety resources, and other resources that are provided free of charge during the year as benefits to our members.

Phc: One of the best shows annually, what will be some of the highlights at this year’s MCAA show in San Francisco?

Coleman: MCAA 2010 will be yet another opportunity for some of the best leadership education in the industry. Our convention theme this year is “Your Bridge to Success” and we have a great lineup of business speakers, as always. I am delighted that our Opening Session keynote speaker will be former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Our Awards Breakfast will feature football great Mike Singletary, and our Closing Session will feature Miracle on the Hudson pilot Captain “Sully” Sullenberger. And of course, we’re all looking forward to being in San Francisco, one of the greatest cities on earth, partying with the rock band Chicago. It should be an exciting week — a celebration with a purpose!