Contents Editor Sarah Black
Features
Publisher Jodi Araujo, CEM
POSTMASTER: 1120 Route 73, Suite 200, Mount Laurel, NJ, 08054; Phone: 855-GO-NADCA; Fax: 856-439-0525; E-mail: info@nadca.com; Website: www.nadca.com DucTales Magazine is published six times annually. NADCA annual dues include a paid s ubscription to DucTales. Yearly subscriptions to DucTales are available for $50. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) prints DucTales Magazine to provide its members and the HVAC system cleaning industry with a forum for the discussion of topics of interest. To that end, NADCA tries to include within DucTales a wide range of ideas and opinions. The ideas and opinions expressed by the authors who write articles for DucTales, however, are solely the views of the person expressing them, and do not necessarily represent the views, positions or policies of NADCA, its members, or its officers, directors or staff. NADCA is not responsible for claims made in advertisements. NADCA does not endorse any particular manufacturer or supplier of equipment, chemicals or related products, nor any particular model of equipment.
ECO BOX DucTales magazine text and cover pages are printed on SFI-Certified Anthem Plus Gloss paper using soy ink.
The SFI certified sourcing label is proof DucTales magazine is using fiber from responsible and legal sources. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® program integrates the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with the protection of wildlife, plants, soils and water. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® program promotes responsible forest management.
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New Year, New Goals for Your Business in 2016
21
Back For More: NADCA Repeats a Stellar Membership Renewal Rate
In Every Issue
Your Business
3
President’s Message
5
Committee Assignments
15
7
Chief Staff Executive’s Message
9
Executive Director’s Message
30
New NADCA Members, ASCSs, CVI
32
Industry Calendar
The Employee Advantage in Social Media
Industry News 11
IAQ Tech’s Billion-Dollar Future
NADCA News
12
Breakthrough in Building Envelope Sealing Technology
13
UEMSI Announces Split
23
Remembering NADCA Members
14
25
Committee Spotlight
27
Member Spotlight: Pur-Vent
ClientRunner Appoints Steve Willis/ IAQA Issues Comments on DC Program 2
President’s Message NADCA Officers
Here We Are By Michael Vinick, NADCA President
H
ere we are. 2016. It is hard to believe that 2015 came to an end. For me, 2015 came to a screeching halt. My family friend, Meadowlark Lemon, died. I was very excited when he agreed to speak at our annual meeting. How on earth did I think that I could bridge Meadowlark Lemon to the duct cleaning industry? That was ridiculous when I first thought about the idea. Then I realized I’d be willing to make a bet that if we did a survey of the annual meeting attendees, Meadowlark would have had a better or at least as good of name recognition as any of our board members or staff. Sadly, he will not be speaking. We all have so much to learn from him still and to be able to listen to him in person would have been a life experience that everyone should have experienced at least once. Meadowlark’s life story is inspirational on so many levels. As a poor child growing up in the south, his family didn’t even have the money to afford a basketball. Think about that for a minute. How much does a basketball cost? To anyone reading this article, that is unfathomable. Meadowlark made a basketball out of a sack 3
of coal and a basket out of a coat hanger. Think about that for a minute. To anyone reading this article, that, too, is unfathomable. And boy did he make magic happen with that coal basketball. When I was a little boy, I was lucky. My father was involved as a volunteer for the Basketball Hall of Fame. Because of that, when the Harlem Globetrotters came to Springfield, Massachusetts, my brother, sister and I got special treatment. We met the bus when they arrived and we were allowed to visit the locker room (well, at least us boys, because back then girls were not allowed into the locker room). We sat courtside and were chosen to be a part of the show. We got to know Meadowlark, Curley and the rest of the cast of characters. I think everyone in the world is their friend but over the years we would see them repetitively and, in time, we actually became their friends. Every year, for as long as I can remember, I saw Meadowlark at least once, if not more. One time, we went to a party at Fenway Park and Meadowlark was there. I think that was where he met my two sons, who were little at the time. They never knew him as a Harlem Globetrotter but with the
President Michael Vinick, ASCS (’17) Duct & Vent Cleaning of America Inc. 311 Page Boulevard Springfield, MA 01104 (413) 734-8368 FAX: (413) 733-1997 mvinick@ductandvent.com
Secretary Mike White, ASCS (’17) Clean Air Systems of LA, Inc. P.O. Box 6210 225 Mount Zion Road Shreveport, LA 71136 (318) 869-0344 FAX: (318) 869-0346 mike.white@ cleanairsystemsiaq.com
1st Vice President Richard Lantz, ASCS (’18) Interior Maintenance Company 45 Scottdale Road Landsdowne, PA 19050 (757) 407-3845 richard@imc.cc
Treasurer Dan Stradford, ASCS (‘18) Action Duct Cleaning 2333 Lincoln Ave. Altadena, CA 91001 Dstradford@aol.com
2nd Vice President Rick MacDonald, ASCS (’18) Armstrong Duct, Vent & Chimney Cleaning 531 Front Street Manchester, NH 03102 (603) 627-7016 FAX: (603) 627-7070 rmac@ahpv.com
NADCA Directors April Yungen, ASCS (‘18) Air Management Industries 8351 Elm Avenue, Suite 102 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730-7639 United States (909) 945-0041 airmgmt@tstonramp.com Jimmy Meyer, ASCS (‘16) Meyer Machine & Equipment 351 Main Street Antioch, IL (847) 395-2970 jimbob@meyermachine.com
Kevin Uilkie, ASCS (‘17) K.M. Facility Services, LLC 5631 N. 52nd Avenue Glendale, AZ 85301 (623) 930-5490 kevin@kmfacserv.com Mark Zarzeczny, ASCS (‘17) Schoen Duct Cleaning 704 Cooper Street Edgewater Park, NJ 08010 (609) 835-9500
mark@schoenairductcleaninginc.com
Carlos Gonzales-Boothby, ASCS (‘18) Indoor Environmental Consultants PO Box 191648 San Juan, Puerto Rico 009191648 (787) 568-8880 carlos@iec-pr.com NADCA Headquarters 1120 Route 73, Suite 200 • Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Toll Free: 855-GO-NADCA • Phone: (856) 380-6810 Fax: (856) 439-0525 • www.nadca.com
NADCA Staff Jodi Araujo, CEM Chief Staff Executive
Victoria Ramsay Client Services
Kristy Cohen Executive Director
Robin Geary Senior Meeting Manager
Carla Cheifetz Meeting Manager
Karen Spiro Industry Relations Manager
Holly French Membership & Certification Coordinator
President’s Message
attention he gave them, they knew he was special. Sadly, they also lost a friend. You may not know this and I want to share it with you: Wilt Chamberlain considered Meadowlark the greatest basketball player to ever live. Meadowlark would have shared some of his amazing stories about traveling behind The Iron Curtain and meeting Khrushchev during the height of the Soviet Era. Or perhaps he would have shared with you the grueling travel schedule that the team endured playing night after night after hours of train and bus rides around every continent on earth. Most importantly, Meadowlark would have shared his message of his love of life. His message that you need to make every moment count. Whatever he would have shared, you have missed. Call it bad timing or bad luck. You missed something that would have been great and would have improved your life. I hope that knowing you have missed this opportunity will have affected your life in some way, shape or form.
When you love what you do, going to work does not feel like work.
I met Meadowlark because of my father. My father’s lesson of giving back to the community in which we are so fortunate to reside and earn our living has afforded me so many opportunities to meet and learn from people just like Meadowlark. I was hoping to share a small piece of that with you through his presentation at our conference. My father, as I have shared with you in past President’s messages has taught me so much. What he has taught me that relates to Meadowlark is that when you love what you do, going to work does not feel like work. D U C TA L E S
JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2016
4
NADCA News
NADCA Committee Assignments Annual Meeting Committee
Ethics Committee
Karen Cowan Tommy Gwaltney Jimmy Meyer MJ Palazzolo Keith Reynolds Meg Walker
Melinda Allen George Grozan Michael O’Rourke
Chair: Mark Zarzeczny Immediate Past Chair: Michael Vinick
Kelly Dexter Peter Haugen Matt Mongiello Anthony Paterno Terri Reynolds Cindy White
By-Laws Policies Procedures Committee Chair: Dan Stradford Immediate Past Chair: Richard Lantz
Ronald Nichols
Certification Committee Chair:
Dan Stradford
Chad Cowan Richard Lantz Mike McDavid Todd St. Ores Tom Yacobellis
Tom Fehr Rick MacDonald Tim O’Connor Cindy White April Yungen
Education & Safety Committee Co-Chairs:
Mike White Rick MacDonald
Jeff Bagley Ron Gray Reece Howell Andrew McLaughlin Mark Morris Ronald Nichols Robert Rizen Tom Wengert
Mike Dexter Chet Goetz Richard Lantz Dominic Menta Vito Moscato Tim O’Connor Dan Stradford
Sub-committee: White Paper Committee Chair:
Dan Stradford
Sub-committee: Fall Technical Conference Co-Chair: Co-Chair:
Rick MacDonald Jimmy Meyer
Mike Dexter Mike McDavid James Queen Bob Rousseau Tom Wengert Vito Mosato
Richard Lantz Kehau Mendes Robert Rizen Kevin Uilkie Mike White
Sub-committee: CVI Training Task Force
Chair: Dan Stradford Immediate Past Chair: Richard Lantz Kelly Dexter Ron Nichols
Finance Committee
Chair: Richard Lantz Immediate Past Chair: Michael Vinick John Line Dan Stradford
John Muller Al Sutton
Industry & Public Relations Committee Chair: Mark Zarzeczny Immediate Past Chair: Richard Lantz Dave Adams Jim Castellano Peter Haugen Jimmy Meyer MJ Palazzolo James Shelley Chris Wilson
Bob Allen Chad Cowan Clayton Ivany Scott Moritz Larry Stabb Travis Tassey Stephen Worrall
Sub-committee: Anti-Fraud Task Force April Yungen Stephen Worrall
Sub-committee: ACR Marketing Task Force Chair:
Mark Zarzeczny
Jim Castellano James Shelley
MJ Palazzolo Larry Stabb
Mike White
International Affairs Committee
Interim Chair: Michael Vinick Immediate Past Chair: Matt Mongiello Julio Cesar Arencibia Nelson Constanza Javier Dominguez Hugo Hernandez Rick MacDonald Travis Tassey
Carlos Boothby Nicolas Charland Peter Haugen Richard Lantz Al Sutton Valeria Vega
Membership Committee Chair: Kevin Uilkie Immediate Past Chair: Michael Vinick Nelson Constanza Gary Croshaw Peter Haugen Andrew McLaughlin MJ Palazzolo Mark Zarzeczny
James Cooke Tim Fico Jeff Johnson Jimmy Meyer April Yungen
Chair: Kevin Uilkie U.S. Northwest – Vito Moscato U.S. Southwest – Matt Kelly, Kehau Mendes U.S. Northeast – Rick MacDonald, Nelson Constanza U.S. Southeast – Tommy Gwaltney, Perry Bagley Canada Region 9 – Gary Lapstra Canada Region 9.5 – Nicolas Charland Australia Region 11 – Travis Tassey Italy Region 12 – Andrea Casa China Region 15 Central & S. America – Carlos Boothby, Richard Lantz
Sub-committee: Website Update Task Force Chair:
Jimmy Meyer
Sub-committee: 2000 Members in 2020 Task Force Chair:
Michael Vinick
Richard Lantz
Paul Hannah
Nelson Constanza MJ Palazzolo
Tim Fico
Sub-committee: Ad Hoc Research Task Force Dan Stradford Mike White
Richard Lantz
Sub-committee: EPA Website Update Task Force Chair:
Leadership Development Committee Chair:
Richard Lantz
Sub-committee: Editorial Committee
5
Chair:
Sub-committee: Regional Coordinators
Chair: Mark Zarzeczny Jim Castellano Kelly Dexter
Sub-committee: Energy Research Study Task Force
Chair:
Richard Lantz
April Yungen Dan Stradford
D U C TA L E S
Michael Vinick
Standards Committee
Chair: Richard Lantz Immediate Past Chair: Bill Lundquist Paul Burns Brad Kuhlmann Rick MacDonald Byron Ware
Charlie Cochrane Greg Long Mike McDavid
JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2016
NADCA Staff Letters
A Letter From the Chief Staff Executive By Jodi Araujo, CEM; Chief Staff Executive
As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others. – Bill Gates
T
he past three-and-a-half years with NADCA have seen ups and downs, challenges and growth, and through it all I’ve watched the team evolve and excel. I recall the year 2012 and the search for our Assistant Executive Director, my right hand, the person I would entrust with the business of NADCA should I suddenly be run over by a bus. The candidates were many. They were qualified, seasoned and capable, but none connected with me, none spoke to me and made me know, “this is the one.” Until I met Kristy. Kristy Cohen returned to the workforce full time after spending eight years raising three baby boys. She was ready to send her boys off to school and refocus her career. I knew within the first 15 minutes of the interview that Kristy was the one. She was bright, articulate and kind, and we just connected on every level. I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that her soft, easygoing personality 7
was attractive to me because I knew she would balance my driven, competitive spirit. I was building my team like pieces of a puzzle and Kristy had the perfect skillset, personally and professionally. I made her an offer and encouraged her to join me in this new client adventure, and she obliged. Fast forward to January 2016 where Kristy now sits in an office next to mine, serving as your Executive Director. During the past two years, Kristy has taken leadership of almost all of NADCA’s committees, supporting and leading the volunteers through development of new educational content and technical publications. She has cemented herself as a leader within the volunteer community. Kristy has my full support and I will sit back with pleasure and watch as she continues to lead NADCA on to new paths of discovery, growth and delivery of outstanding service to our members. Please join me in congratulating Kristy on this well-deserved promotion.
Training and Education
Made Easy! Custom training is now available to NADCA members! Instead of flying your entire staff somewhere to receive training, NADCA will bring the training to YOU!
Interested? Call NADCA Headquarters at (855) GO-NADCA to learn more.
NADCA Staff Letters
With Kristy firmly in place as your Executive Director, I will serve as your Chief Staff Executive. In that role I will continue to work closely with the Board of Directors to translate the strategic vision for the organization into action. I will also have responsibility and oversight of the association’s budget and financial position, publishing of our trade magazine and maintenance and growth of industry relationships. I will also continue to manage and develop our staff talent to deliver improved services to the membership. I take pride in Kristy’s success. There is great enjoyment in watching someone learn and implement new techniques that lead to professional excellence. It is within my role with NADCA to ensure that all of our team members have opportunity D U C TA L E S
and mentoring to reach the next level in their career progression. I’ve been at this for 20 years now, and that knowledge transfer is the key to continued success for the staff and the organizations to which they devote their time. That is my commitment to my team and it drives me to always bring my A game and share as much knowledge, learning and emotional growth as possible with my staff. Every day is an opportunity, and I like to seize those moments. Do you have a mentoring program within your company? Consider that for a moment…does Johnny down the hall have untapped potential? Can you share real life experiences and lessons with him that he can absorb and take with him on the road when meeting with your clients? Are you equipping your team with the
JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2016
tools they need to drive results for your business? What is your role in the system of success? If you haven’t defined who you are, what your company’s mission and vision are and where you want to be in three or five years (goals), how will you succeed? Start with determining your company goals and why those goals are important to you. Write them down. Share them with your team.
Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible. – Tony Robbins 8
NADCA Staff Letters
A New Year Brings New Opportunities By Kristy Cohen, NADCA Executive Director
A
s we kick off 2016, the New Year brings many exciting new opportunities. It’s time for us to hit the ground running with a renewed sense of purpose and drive to make the most of the year ahead. I’m excited for the opportunity to serve as NADCA’s Executive Director as we strive for excellence in delivering the very best standards, education, certification and marketing for our members.
is to support our members’ success and we have big
I’m sure you, also, have great expectations for the coming year as you look to seize new opportunities to grow your business and reap the rewards of your hard-earned success. NADCA’s mission is to support our members’ success and we have big plans to do just that for 2016.
plans to do just that for 2016. NADCA’s updated General Specification to use for HVAC system cleaning bid specifications, along with a copy of ACR, the NADCA Standard and other important information promoting HVAC system cleaning. NADCA members have access to these tools and are encouraged to use them to help educate commercial customers.
Here’s a preview of the year ahead…
•
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ACR, the NADCA Standard & NADCA General Specification Marketing Campaign This new campaign targets the commercial market and promotes the importance of HVAC system cleaning in accordance with ACR by a qualified NADCA member. Engineers, architects, specifiers and facility managers will receive
continue to be a concern for consumers. However, the infiltration of blow-and-go companies in the residential consumer marketplace makes it difficult for consumers to understand what entails proper HVAC system cleaning and the importance of using a qualified NADCA member. NADCA will be launching the consumer-facing “Breathing Clean” campaign to educate consumers on these issues and to help them avoid duct cleaning scams by hiring a NADCA member to clean their HVAC system in accordance with ACR, the NADCA Standard. NADCA members will be able to take part in the Breathing Clean campaign to help set themselves apart in the residential consumer marketplace.
NADCA’s mission
•
Breathing Clean Campaign
Health issues related to IAQ
•
NADCA White Paper: Restoring Energy Efficiency Through HVAC Air Distribution System Cleaning
One of the critical aspects of HVAC systems is energy consumption and the roles that HVAC engineering, construction and maintenance play in
NADCA Staff Letters
optimizing energy usage. NADCA’s latest white paper will review: 4
How system cleaning reduces HVAC energy consumption
4
How energy consumption can be calculated with pre-cleaning and post-cleaning measurements
4
Mechanical and other issues within HVAC systems that contractors encounter while inspecting and/ or cleaning that can be reported and corrected to maximize HVAC energy efficiency
The paper will validate the benefits of HVAC air distribution system cleaning for restoring energy efficiency and will serve as another useful tool for NADCA members.
•
Updated Certification & Training
In 2008, ANSI/ASHRAE/ ACCA Standard 180 established, for the first time ever, a requirement that all buildings where the general public is exposed to the indoor environment have a written plan for inspection and maintenance of HVAC systems. NADCA’s Certified Ventilation Inspector (CVI) Certification ensures NADCA professionals have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and ability to perform HVAC system inspection to meet the growing demand for this service. We have updated
D U C TA L E S
and enhanced the CVI certification and training program and encourage NADCA members to obtain this advanced credential. And of course, we’ll continue to provide the very best networking and educational opportunities at our
JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2016
27th Annual Meeting, March 7-9 in Phoenix, Arizona, and at the 2016 Fall Technical Conference, Sept. 15-17 in Charlotte, North Carolina. I encourage you to take advantage of everything NADCA has to offer and join me in making the most of 2016!
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Industry News
IAQ Tech’s Billion-Dollar Future The Market for Indoor Environmental and Air Quality Technologies is Expected to Exceed $7 Billion by 2024
A
new report from Navigant Research examines the market for indoor environmental and air quality (IEAQ) technologies used in new construction and retrofit applications, with global forecasts for revenue, segmented by region, building type and technology, through 2024. Healthy and green buildings rely on good IEAQ to maintain the wellness and productivity of their occupants. Related IEAQ technologies can provide the measurement and verification of ventilation and moisture management, indicating whether appropriate conditions have been achieved and maintained indoors. According to a new report from Navigant Research, the global IEAQ market is expected to grow from $4.2 billion in 2015 to $7.1 billion by 2024. “In order to effectively maintain a healthy indoor environment without compromising energy efficiency, building owners are turning to many 11
new IEAQ technologies,” says Anne Wrobetz, research associate with Navigant Research. “IEAQ systems are developing rapidly, and the most sophisticated ones integrate with building energy management systems (BEMSs) and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve IEAQ without increasing the carbon footprint.” While the meaning of good IEAQ has traditionally been restricted to the volume of outdoor air circulated in a room, many technologies now improve conditions indoors while lowering ventilation volumes and the energy used to ventilate a building, according to the report. These technologies include carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors, demand-controlled ventilation, energy recovery ventilators, dedicated outdoor air systems, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation and displacement ventilation, all of which have growing markets.
D U C TA L E S
The report, Indoor Environmental and Air Quality, analyzes the global market for IEAQ technologies that are currently available and being used in both new construction and retrofit applications. The study provides an analysis of the market conditions for IEAQ monitoring and management and the drivers and barriers for wider adoption of the technologies. Global market forecasts for IEAQ technologies revenue, segmented by region, building type and technology, extend through 2024. The report also examines the key categories of IEAQ improvements and the related technologies, as well as the competitive landscape.
Read a Summary of the Report An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download at www.navigantresearch.com.
JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2016
Breakthrough in Building Envelope Sealing Technology Previewed at First Annual Aeroseal Success Summit
A
new building envelope sealing technology designed to effectively seal the outer shell of homes and buildings was unveiled recently at the Aeroseal Success Summit. The new technology is the first automated system used to effectively find and seal air leaks in building structures, constituting a breakthrough in sustainable building practices. The new envelope sealing technology was introduced by Dr. Mark Modera, professor at the University of California Davis and director of the university’s Western Cooling Efficiency Center, where the technology was developed. “We’ve taken a lot of the lessons we learned when developing Aeroseal duct sealing technology and adapted them for practical application in sealing the entire building envelope,” said Modera. “The result is a technology that can potentially revolutionize the way we approach energy-efficient building.” The patented technology uses a compressed nitrogen system to push sealant through multiple nozzles. Sprayed into a pressurized structure, the sealant is drawn to any cracks or leaks in the building envelope, including those around walls, doors D U C TA L E S
and windows. The particles of sealant bond around the holes and then to each other until the leaks are completely sealed. According to Modera, it takes about one hour to seal a 1,200-square-foot home. “Currently, envelope sealing is a laborious and imprecise manual process, typically including caulking and weather stripping,” said
JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2016
Modera. “This new approach has the potential to seal faster, cheaper and much more effectively than any manual process. It finds the leaks for you and provides a computergenerated verification of the sealing effectiveness.” According to Modera, the new technology could be available for commercial use later next year. 12
Industry News
UEMSI Announces Split U
E MSI leadership recently announced that the organization would be split into two separate entities. They issued a letter with the following details: Going forward, UEMSI will be splitting into the following companies with differing product lines: •
13
American Sewer Parts and Cleaning (Peter and Susan Utecht and their extended family of dedicated
employees) will produce and market sewer cleaning and vacuum truck replacement parts and their associated product lines. •
UEMSI/HTV (Rick and Alison Dresang and their extended family of dedicated employees) – will produce and market pipeline televising camera systems as well as sewer hose products and their associated product lines.
D U C TA L E S
It goes without saying that we look forward to our continued successes with our valued friends, and we look forward to serving your needs for another quarter-century and beyond.
Learn More Visit www.uemsi.com for more about the split.
JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2016
ClientRunner Appoints Steve Willis to its Newly Formed Product Advisory Council ClientRunner Product Advisory Council (CPAC) is an advisory group of customer and industry members that provides input to ClientRunner on the direction of their products and platforms.
C
lientRunner Software, Inc. has appointed Steve Willis, President of Steamatic, to its newly formed advisory group. The
Steamatic transitioned its franchise system to ClientRunner in January last year to help provide better real-time reporting to the insurance carriers and improve Steamatic’s quality assurance to its customers.
“Our customers have always played a key role in shaping ClientRunner software as a powerful mobile solution that is simple to understand and easy to use,” said Scott Severe, President and CEO of ClientRunner Software, Inc. “Steve has a deep understanding of our market and skillfully articulates what is most important to our customers. He is a valued thought leader with an extensive and wide-ranging industry background, and will be a tremendous asset to the CPAC.”
IAQA Comments on Proposed DC Mold Certification/Licensure Program
T
he Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) has issued public comments on a draft of licensure/certification regulations for mold assessment and remediation being developed by the Washington, D.C., District Department of Environment (DDOE). Through regulation, DDOE hopes to prevent fraudulent operators from offering their services without being certified or licensed, thereby guaranteeing a basic level of competence in the performance of this activity. IAQA’s public comment included the following: The District should require the use of a licensed mold assessor for all regulated mold remediation
D U C TA L E S
projects. There should be no provision for an ability to waive this requirement. Among the types of remediation projects for which this requirement would be applicable, our members expressed consensus that this would be applicable to tenant occupied and/or not-owner occupied properties. Our members are very concerned about the negative impacts on property owners and residents if potential conflicts of interest are not prevented. If there is a relationship between an assessor and remediator working on the same project, that relationship must be disclosed.
JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2016
Remediators must be required to stipulate in writing that their customer has the right to utilize a third-party assessment or testing company. Licensing should exist for all individuals involved with mold assessment or remediation. In addition, there was discussion of some criteria for entry level workers to work on a remediation project to gain the necessary experience to become fully licensed professional mold remediators or assessors. IAQA members would like to see that possibility explored in this current rulemaking process.
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Your Business
The Employee Advantage in Social Media By Russ Fradin
R
ecycling is generally viewed as smart, responsible behavior — except when it occurs on social media. You’ve seen the posts: Canned, mass-produced tweets that sound like they were written by a marketing bot alongside copied-and-pasted Facebook shares filled with corporate jargon and buzzwords. These updates are sent with the right intentions — to raise awareness of company happenings while displaying a high level of employee support — but the execution is completely wrong. If your employees are all saying the same exact things, showing zero personality, and operating strictly in brand speak, your well-intentioned advocacy and awareness efforts could actually be backfiring.
The Employee Advantage When companies view “employee advocacy” as a team of people retweeting a single message 15
simultaneously, followers feel like they’re getting spammed, and employees feel like they aren’t being valued as unique, intelligent members of the team. Employees like to be themselves, not brand robots. This explains why companies that emphasize individuality on social media see a 47.2 percent boost in employee retention rates and a 26.7 percent drop in turnover. Further, audiences want to be spoken to like human beings, not like homogenous consumer droids. This is evidenced by the fact that companies with engaged employees enjoy a 202 percent performance advantage over those that don’t. Just think about the power in numbers: Employees, as a cumulative group, likely have many more connections than their companies do, leading employee-shared posts to travel 561 percent further than brandshared posts. D U C TA L E S
None of this is possible, however, if everyone is mindlessly regurgitating the same bland posts.
Add a Spark to Your Social Media Efforts Here are three steps you can take to add a much-needed spark to your company’s social media presence and turn your employees into unique brand advocates: Create materials worth sharing. If you want your employees to give genuine reactions to your content, you need to produce something that actually inspires them. They’re more likely to offer their opinions or engage in discussions with followers if the content relates to their day-to-day lives, stirs the conversation by presenting strong or controversial viewpoints, or instills pride by celebrating one of their major achievements. Periodically check in with a diverse sampling of your employees to ask their opinions JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2016
are more informed and can accompany the content with their unique point of view.
on current events. You’ll be amazed by the great ideas and wise perspectives your people have, and centering your content on these sentiments will surely lead to higher levels of meaningful engagement on social media.
Not everyone has 60,000 employees or the resources to create a social media platform, but everyone does have the ability to collect data. Analyze the success of mass-produced social posts versus uniquely worded posts to show your employees just how big a difference their creative efforts make.
Diversify your voices. Don’t limit your content creation efforts to a select group of authors. Your audience will grow tired of reading the same voices, and your employees will grow tired of having the same people representing them again and again. Instead, invite an ever-changing lineup of individuals from your team to produce your content. The most unassuming midlevel managers or sales associates could end up having the best insights and anecdotes that result in your most-talked-about blog post yet. Further, many of your employees likely have future aspirations to become leaders themselves. These folks would love an opportunity to begin building their portfolios by having a byline or two on your company’s blog. Once their pieces go live, these employees (along with their closest colleagues) will feel a much higher level of ownership. They’ll be eager to dive into conversations on social media and show the world that your company is comprised of lively and intelligent individuals.
D U C TA L E S
When they see that their posts, carrying their own voices, are boosting your brand’s positive audience response, they’ll feel motivated to ramp up their involvement. A little hard data will go a long way.
Hone Your Craft Through Tech and Data Try building internal excitement about a piece of content before releasing it to the rest of the world. Chinese tech company Lenovo created its own employee advocacy program for this purpose. Articles are distributed internally first, giving the company’s 60,000 employees an opportunity to share the content they care about most via an external platform. By the time they share it with their followers, they
JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2016
Employees can truly be your best brand assets, but only if they’re engaged properly. Audiences don’t want to hear sanitized messages coming straight from the C-suite; they want to read real messages delivered by real people. That’s why an emphasis on employee individuality is the best way to increase your company’s social media clout. This article originally appeared at www.spinsucks.com. Russ Fradin is a digital media industry veteran and an angel investor with more than 15 years of experience in online marketing. He is founder and CEO of Dynamic Signal, the leading platform for empowering employees to be effective brand advocates.
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Feature
New Year, ls New Goa s s e n i s u B r u o for Y
W Visit these sites to utilize these to olkits and help yo ur business acco mplish its goals in 2016: sba.go v/offices/ headquarters/oe d/ resources/1475961 inc.com/business-owner social-med ia-too l-kit www.wsj.com/public/ page/bookto ols. html#budget
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hen the calendar resets to January 1, there are always plans for a fresh start. It’s a beginning of a new year, with goals of improving a certain aspect of your life. More than 45 percent of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions that include everything from dropping a few extra pounds to saving money. Don’t forget to set your business up for success, either! While some aspirations fail for whatever reason — life can always throw curveballs — where your resolutions can’t afford to fail is within your business, particularly when you set goals that can deliver long-term success.
Small Business Success As a small business owner, sticking to your resolutions could impact the health of your business. Variables such as workflow and finances can be overwhelming at times, but with a definitive understanding of the market or your business’s overhead, you can keep those uncertainties in check and at a minimum detriment. It may seem at times that you are performing well, but without proper
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direction or goals, your business may never reach its full potential. The tricky part is having to not only project as early as the next day, but as far out as the next five or 10 years. What’s important is that one cannot exist without the other. If your business only pays attention to longterm projections, then you may lack the day-to-day stability to ensure you reach that goal. If your business only pays attention to short-term projects in the short term, you risk slogging in the wrong direction or stunting growth. You have to crawl before you can walk, but you can’t crawl forever. Create checkpoints along the way that can act as stepping stones, giving you a clear path of where your business is headed or what needs to be done to steer it back into the right direction. Juggling day-to-day success while keeping your intentions in mind can be stressful and the constant ebb and flow of the industry and other factors, such as the economy, can slow your business’s success. So, it’s imperative for you, your business’s structure and your staff to all be working in unison toward a clear set of business goals.
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Making 2016 Your Year The following tactics can help you stay focused on your goals in 2016.
Mission statement A mission statement is the most basic building block to any business, and one of the most essential. It specifically indicates your business’s intentions and answers questions such as What does your business do? What is your intended goal? What is important to the organization? A mission statement filters out the unnecessary fluff, giving you a raw, but straightforward direction. It acts as a guide for you and your employees to follow. It also helps customers and partners understand your organization. And, while your company’s intentions will always remain the same, you can adjust your mission statement over time to fit your direction or new objectives.
Ask your employees Few people associated with your business understand your day-to-day operations like those who clock-in every day. Asking your employees can work double duty. Not only will you hear multiple opinions, it’ll show your employees that their opinions are valuable and, in turn, could generate personal investment in your business, potentially sparking more production. Though the final decisions will always remain up to you, hearing 19
varying rounds of perspective could provide you with valuable perspective. Keep your employees in the loop throughout the year on your business’s progress and areas of focus.
Write down your goals You can always say what your goals are, but over the course of 365 days and beyond, that focus can be lost in the shuffle of everyday business ownership. Identifying goals is the easy part. Staying focused is where your business can shine. Formally documenting your goals forces you to acknowledge your plans in writing. It puts your employees on the same page and creates a roadmap that can keep everyone focused throughout the dog-days of the year. After writing down your goals, post them in a place where everyone can easily see them to encourage buy-in and focus on a shared goal.
Be Realistic Every small business owner wants to project $100 million in revenue, but an unrealistic goal is not conducive to your overall success. Impossible goals could hurt morale within your staff and grind your business to a stop.
Formally documenting your goals forces you to acknowledge your plans in writing. It puts your employees on the same page and creates a roadmap that can keep everyone focused throughout the
Pick a realistic number when it comes to setting your goals.
dog-days of
Realistic expectations create an environment of focus. The goals should make you and your staff strive beyond their original aspirations to help the company move forward.
the year.
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Let’s Do It What are your top goals for 2016?
1.)
Goal
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3.)
1.)
How you’ll achieve it
2.)
3.)
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BACK For More
NADCA Repeats a Stellar Membership Renewal Rate
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hen NADCA set out to legitimize the air duct cleaning industry so many years ago, the organization’s leadership didn’t know what was in store. Over the years, NADCA has evolved into an organization that provides education and certification, establishes standards and advances the air duct cleaning industry as a whole. Part of its success: an engaged membership that continues to build on NADCA’s values. “Years ago, we were trying to be the industry authority,” said NADCA President, Michael Vinick, president of Duct & Vent Cleaning of America, Inc. “Now, we are the industry authority, and part of that comes from members being out there, spreading the word and encouraging people to join.” That dedication has, yet again, yielded a membership renewal rate of 94 percent – one of the highest membership renewal rates NADCA has seen in its tenured history.
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Retention = True Health Several metrics add up to a healthy organization. Retention – that is, the number of members renewing their membership year over year – is an important component, if not the most important, for measuring the true health of an organization. “An organization can become a ‘leaky bucket,’ or a revolving door, and new members will not create growth if current members aren’t being retained,” said Jodi Araujo, NADCA’s Chief Staff Executive. A low renewal rate means the organization is struggling to retain its members – a sign of poor health. According to a 2014 report by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Foundation, the average membership renewal rate for trade associations is 85 percent, putting NADCA’s 94 percent well above average.
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“We’re absolutely gaining a lot more members than we have leave us every year,” said Vinick. “And the ones we do lose are due to going out of business, they’re no longer offering that service or, as multi-service company, they’re no longer offering duct cleaning.”
The Secret Sauce: Benefits Part of what keeps members coming back for more is having the right mix of benefits and value. “Finding that balancing point of cost and benefit value is what organizations strive for,” said Araujo. NADCA found that in its mix of education, certification, networking and advocacy efforts. “Having a strong renewal rate is a huge stamp of approval from our members,” said Vinick. “They see the value that NADCA provides, that value of quality and professionalism, JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2016
education, accountability. They see that membership in NADCA creates opportunity.” That opportunity takes many forms, but two cornerstones of NADCA and the air duct cleaning industry are the ASCS certification and ACR, The NADCA Standard. “Our specifications are imperative to ensuring quality workmanship on job sites, and we’re just getting started on the marketing and development of our General Specification document,” said Vinick. The document will ensure that bid specifications are referencing the most up-to-date standards and cleaning practices performed by NADCA-certified technicians.
By the Numbers Average association membership renewal rate
NADCA’s membership renewal rate
2000 Members By 2020 The next phase for NADCA, in addition to marketing and promoting the updated General Specifications document, is to increase its reach. The association recently established the 2000 Members by 2020 Task Force, headed up by Vinick, to help grow NADCA and secure a healthy future. “More people around the world are becoming more aware of air duct cleaning as a legitimate, valued service,” says Vinick. “The more people we have performing that service who are also members of NADCA, the better it is for the industry as a whole.”
New members in 2015
While some members see an increase in NADCA members as a potential threat to their business, the bigger picture shows a growing, dynamic industry with a strong reputation. “It’s not easy to encourage your competitor to do better and improve by becoming certified,” said Vinick. “But that’s one less potential scammer, one less person out there doing the job the wrong way. It advances the industry as a whole and helps all of us.” D U C TA L E S
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Number of members that have been NADCA members more than 10 years
Number of members that have been NADCA members more than 25 years Number of phone calls made to members by NADCA staff during renewal period
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NADCA News
In Memory of Robert “Bob” Baker
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ADCA was saddened to learn of the passing of Robert “Bob” Baker on Jan. 10, 2016.
With over 30 years of clinical and practical experience in all facets of building operation and maintenance, Bob was a leading expert in the field of building operations, IAQ and mold remediation. Bob contributed to many important NADCA initiatives including several white papers and the Certified Ventilation Inspector (CVI)
certification exam development. Bob was also a three-term President of the Indoor Air Quality Association. He was a leader in ASHRAE, where he sat on the Technology Council and served as the ASHRAE representative to the Western HVAC Performance Alliance (he was co-chair of that organization’s Executive Committee). He was also an ASHRAE Fellow. The NADCA Board of Directors, staff and membership extend our condolences to Bob’s wife, Barbara, and our friends and colleagues at IAQA.
In Memory of Giorgio Ziragachi
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ADCA was saddened to learn of the passing of Giorgio Ziragachi on Jan. 28, 2016. Giorgio was the founder of AIISA and served as Past President for many years. He was instrumental in developing a strong relationship between NADCA and AIISA and in promoting and supporting the highest standards of quality for the HVAC cleaning industry in Italy.
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Giorgio served as NADCA’s Region 12 Coordinator for many years and was a tremendous contributor to NADCA’s International Forum meetings held each year at the NADCA Annual Conference. The NADCA Board of Directors, staff and membership extend our condolences to Giorgio’s family and to our AIISA colleagues and members.
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NADCA News
Committee Spotlight NADCA Working for You NADCA committee members have been working hard to provide members with tools they can use to be successful and get the most out of their NADCA membership.
Certification Committee NADCA’s Certification Committee led by Committee Chair Dan Stradford wants you to have the information you need to acquire and maintain your NADCA ASCS certification.
ASCS Certification Renewal This landmark certification enhances one’s professional development and is also a world-wide credential recognizing a person’s knowledge and skills related to HVAC system hygiene. Today, many job specifications require that a certified ASCS be on a project. Having an ASCS certified technician on staff can benefit your company in many ways, including: 4
Meeting bid specifications
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Attracting more customers
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Meeting the ASCS requirement for NADCA membership
The ASCS certification is renewable each year by June 30. Individuals who renew their certification after this deadline must pay an additional late fee. Those who do not renew and allow their certification to lapse have to re-take the ASCS exam. 25
Don’t let this happen to you! Follow these important steps to ensure that you maintain your ASCS certification. Step 1: Obtain six valid CECs for ASCS Certification Renewal You cannot renew your ASCS without providing proof of six CECs. CECs can be obtained in a variety of ways including: •
Attendance at NADCA’s Annual Meeting – 6 CECs
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Attendance at NADCA’s Fall Technical Conference – 6 CECs
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NADCA webinars (both live and on-demand) – 2–6 CECs
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NADCA online renewal quizzes – 2–6 CECs
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Other approved industry events – 1–4 CECs
Important: Please note that the cost of NADCA webinars and online renewal quizzes does not include the $85 ASCS renewal dues amount. The renewal dues amount is separate from the cost of purchasing these items. For more information about approved CECs visit the Member Resources – Certification tab at nadca.com. Step 2: Submit proof of CECs and pay ASCS Certification Renewal Dues By June 30 Renewal notices will be sent out in March prompting all certified individuals and their member D U C TA L E S
companies to renew. You will be able to log on to your member services account online at nadca.com to upload proof of CECs and pay your renewal dues. If you do not submit proof of CECs and pay your renewal dues by June 30, you will be assessed a late fee. You will not receive your updated ASCS certificate until all CECs and renewal fees (including late fees) have been paid, along with the NADCA member company’s renewal dues.
FAQs - ASCS Certification Renewal Is the cost of the ASCS renewal dues included in the price of the NADCA renewal quizzes or webinars? No. The ASCS renewal dues fee is separate from the cost of any training, quizzes or webinars that you may purchase and take to obtain 6 CECs.
What will happen if I do not submit proof of CECs and pay the ASCS renewal dues by June 30? You will be assessed a $75 late fee. You will not receive your renewed ASCS certificate until proof of CECs and payment of renewal dues plus the late fees are paid. If you do not renew, your certification will be terminated and you will have to retake the ASCS certification exam. JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2016
When will I receive my renewed ASCS certificate? You will receive your renewed ASCS certificate once all of the following steps have been completed: 4
Submit proof of 6 valid CECs
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Pay ASCS renewal dues (and late fees if applicable)
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Your company has completed the company’s NADCA membership renewal
How do I know if a course I took is valid for CECs? Check out the list of approved CECs under the Member Resources – Certification tab at nadca.com. If you have taken a course that is not listed, you can complete and submit a Request for CEC Approval form that will be reviewed to determine if CECs can be granted. Remember, NADCA member companies must maintain at least one certified ASCS on staff in order to maintain their membership in good standing. Don’t let your certification lapse…renew your ASCS certification by June 30!
Have a renewal question or need assistance? Contact us at membership@nadca.com or (856) 437-4674.
New and Improved CVI Certification! The Certification Committee is pleased to announce that the Certified Ventilation Inspector (CVI) certification has been updated to reflect current industry standards and practice related to HVAC system inspection. Here’s what you should know about the CVI: •
The new CVI Certification Exam will be unveiled at the NADCA Annual Meeting and will also be available thereafter at testing centers across the globe.
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Beginning March 7, 2016 anyone who wishes to take the CVI Certification Exam must be ASCS certified in order to sit for the exam.
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CVI training course materials and the HVAC Inspection Manual have been updated to help test takers prepare for the new and improved CVI certification exam.
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All current CVI certification holders will be grandfathered into the new certification program.
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Demand for HVAC system inspection is growing and obtaining the CVI certification shows that you have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform this important service.
For more information, visit Member Resources – Certification tab at nadca.com.
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NADCA News
Member Spotlight Pur-Vent, LLC
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ecoming a part of the air duct cleaning industry and a joining NADCA was never part of the plan for Henry Baker. He worked the HVAC side only for most of his professional life. It was only by circumstance did his career path change. “I had been in HVAC for a good 25 years at the time and I was a third-generation HVAC contractor and was on track to take over the family business,” said Baker, who co-owns Pur-Vent with his wife Anna. “But around 2011, it started to look like that wasn’t going to occur.”
The Transition After it became apparent that he wasn’t going to take on the family business, Baker started looking for other avenues in the industry. His more than two decades of experience gave him an idea of where he should go. “I knew ductwork very well and I knew HVAC systems very well, and as an estimator, I saw duct cleaning start to be required in North Carolina more and more,” Baker said. “It was then I started investigating and I learned how to do it.” When Pur-Vent opened its doors in 2011, Baker found the ties to the HVAC industry in his area eased his new company into the duct cleaning business. “In Eastern North Carolina, I was already known in the HVAC industry,” Baker said. “Because of those contacts, I was able to get projects that others who were just 27
starting out the industry wouldn’t normally be able to get.” His clout in the region sparked growth for his business because he was trusted among his peers, which can be proven by those who contract with Pur-Vent. “When I transitioned over to duct cleaning, my former competitors then became my customers,” Baker said. “I was dealing with a lot of the same people in a different capacity.” There was a learning curve. In fact, when Baker performed his first air duct cleaning job, it didn’t go exactly according to plan. “My first cleaning job took me about 10 times longer than it should have,” Baker said. But D U C TA L E S
like with most things, developing skills takes practice. Since then, he has become increasingly efficient and Pur-Vent is now a go-to company in the area.
Joining NADCA Part of the growth for Pur-Vent — and how it jumped to higher levels of success — was Baker’s recognition of the requirements by regulators in the industry. He realized that if he was going to do well in the field, he had to set himself apart from other companies in the region. That became especially important when Baker realized that major projects followed NADCA’s JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2016
“In the commercial end, and especially the industrial end, most of the customers and engineers were specifying things to the NADCA standards,” Baker said. “To even do a job you have to be in NADCA.” regulations. “In the commercial end, and especially the industrial end, most of the customers and engineers were specifying things to the NADCA standard,” Baker said. “To even do a job you have to be a member of NADCA.” Baker was interested in the Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) certification. With certification comes knowledge, and Baker knew if his company was certified beyond the normal means, it could set his business up for a fortunate future. “The ASCS certification is one reason I joined NADCA,” Baker said. “I saw that as putting my services above others that were offering duct cleaning without it.”
Looking Toward the Future Since its culmination, Pur-Vent has performed jobs all over North Carolina, including the RaleighDurham International Airport and the Durham Bulls Athletic Park — yes, the same minor league baseball team from the movie Bull Durham. “As an estimator and project manager for my family’s HVAC firm, I knew what my needs were as far as a duct cleaning subcontractor was concerned,” Baker said. “That by itself has allowed me to know and anticipate the needs of HVAC and general contractors — my customers — from the budgeting phase to project completion. I fulfilled those needs that I had when I was in their position. It boils down to good customer service.” In February, Pur-Vent celebrated not only its fifth anniversary but also its win of a bid at Duke University’s
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historical chapel. The chapel, located in the heart of the main campus, has been closed for the first half of the year for restoration. Since it was an extensive project — again awarded by a former competitor — Baker’s company was inspected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) while on site. “One of my feathers in the cap is the OSHA representative told us that we had our act together,” Baker said. While the job at Duke University shows Pur-Vent is more than capable of performing major projects, the timing of the work is what has Baker feeling comfortable and excited for the future, especially his five- and 10-year plans. “Every year there is a lull around January,” Baker said. “But this year we’re on track already for a banner year.” 28
NADCA News
New ASCSs Riyas Aboo EPSCO LLC Dubai UAE Jason Alcayde Muscat Environmental Protection Services Co. LLC Muscat OMN Asad Ali Muscat Environmental Protection Services Co. LLC Muscat OMN Todd Barch Stanley Steemer International Beavercreek Township, OH USA Cory Benson BensonAir Conditioning and Plumbing Gilbert, AZ USA
Allen D’Andrea Stanley Steemer International, Inc. Dublin, OH USA
Jonathan Hoffmann Air Care Wizard, Inc. Pensacola, FL USA
Dan Derbes AdvantaClean of Lorton, Manassas, Fredericksburg Alexandria, VA USA
Shabajuddin Mohammed EPSCO LLC Dubai UAE
Jamshid Ebrahim Muscat Environmental Protection Services Co. LLC Muscat OMN Cory Farmer Stanley Steemer - Florence, KY Florence, KY USA Eddie Flores Disaster Services, LLC Pine Mountain, GA USA
New CVIs Ron Muldoon Brouwer Bros. Steamatic Alsip, IL USA Justin Nixon Integrity Air Systems Corp Hayward, CA USA
Michael Patterson ServPro of Eatontown/Long Branch Eatontown, NJ USA John Socratous Duct Dudes, Inc. Iselin, NJ USA Rifaz Ummer EPSCO LLC Dubai UAE
New Members AdvantaClean of Lorton, Manassas, Fredericksburg Alexandria, VA USA Air Care Wizard, Inc. Pensacola, FL USA BensonAir Conditioning and Plumbing Gilbert, AZ USA
Disaster Services, LLC Pine Mountain, GA USA ServPro of Eatontown/Long Branch Eatontown, NJ USA Stanley Steemer - Florence, KY Florence, KY USA
CardConnect Overland Park, KS USA
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NADCA News
Industry Calendar
NADCA Events
Related Industry Events
NADCA’s 27th Annual Meeting March 7–9, 2016 Phoenix, AZ
2016 RIA International Convention March 21-23, 2016 Orlando, FL
NADCA Fall Technical Conference Sept. 15-17, 2016 Charlotte, NC
IAQ 2016 Fall Conference Sept. 12-14, 2016 Alexandria, VA
Be Featured in DucTales! DucTales is seeking submissions from members and industry experts for publication in future issues of the magazine. Articles may be about: •
An experience in the field
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How you’ve grown your business
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Tips for other business owners
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Practical tips, tricks and guides for other indoor air quality professionals
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Technology reviews
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Training opportunities
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… and more!
For submission guidelines, deadlines and other information, please contact Sarah Black, DucTales Editor, at sblack@ahredchair.com.
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