Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor Fall 2017 by PHCC-WI

Volume 13, Number 3 Fall 2017 www.mpmca.org

Plumbing / Heating / Ventilating / Air Conditioning / Refrigeration

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CONTENTS Fall 2017 Volume 13 Number 3 Plumbing / Heating / Ventilating / Air Conditioning / Refrigeration

Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor Magazine

The Official Publication of the Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association PO Box 13100 Lansing, MI 48901 517-484-5500 Fax 517-484-5225 Email: info@mpmca.org Website: www.mpmca.org

MPMCA President’s Message – Chad Myers.............................. 6 MPMCA 2017 Membership Application................................... 22 MPMCA Associate Membership Application............................ 23

LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS Greater Michigan PMCA �� 8-12 Flint PMCA........................................................................... 14-15 MCA Detroit.............................................................................. 16 Bay Area Association �� 17

Edited and published quarterly under the direction and supervision of the Board of Directors of the MPMCA. Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement of products, services, or statements, nor does the publisher assume any responsibility for claims made by the advertisers. Copyright 2017 Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association. MPMCA has reserved the right to refuse any and all ads. For inquiries concerning this publication contact the following: Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association, PO Box 13100, Lansing, MI 48901. Some products advertised may not meet Michigan Plumbing Code requirements. Executive Director Cynthia H. Maher, CAE Editor Cynthia H. Maher, CAE MPMCA Executive Committee President: Chad Myers Vice President: James Dornbrock Secretary: Kyle Mausolf Treasurer: Nancy Cummins

MPMCA Board of Directors Bay Area Association: Mark Katz Flint: Greg Pfeiffer Greater MI PMCA: Jim Dornbrock MCA Detroit: James Bruner Mid-MI MCA: Chad Myers Northwestern: Cliff Sedlacek South Macomb: Paul Bradley Southwestern: To Be Appointed Thumb Area: Kent Shetler West MI MCA: Scott VanderHyde West MI PHCCA: William Feenstra Western Wayne: Mark Ratliff NAPHCC (National): Brad Isley MMCA Officers President: Dominic Goyette Vice President: Rick Ekkens Secretary/Treasurer: Nancy Cummins

Published quarterly by Blue Water Publishers, LLC. For more information on advertising, contact Eric Johnson, Blue Water Publishers, LLC, 9406 N. 107th St., Milwaukee, WI 53224 414-708-2059 / fax: 414-354-5317 eric@bluewaterpublishers.com The publisher cannot assume responsibility for claims made by advertisers, content provided by the editor, or for the opinions expressed by contributing authors.

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Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor | Fall 2017

Mid-Michigan MCA............................................................. 18-19 West Michigan PMCA.......................................................... 20-21

ADVERTISER INDEX Bradford White.....................................................7 FastEst..................................................................6 Federated Insurance ........................................14 Ferguson............................................................21 Kolbi Pipe Marker...............................................16 Liberty Pumps.....................................................24 Michigan Propane Gas Association ��3 Michigan Electric Cooperative Association �� 20 Metropolitan Industries.................................. Insert Rheem.................................................................5 R.L. Deppmann..................................................17 Robertson Heating Supply...................................2 T&S Brass............................................................15 Test Gauge Inc...................................................13

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Chad Myers

s president of the MPMCA, I want to take a moment and thank everyone for their dedication and continued support of the MPMCA and its local chapters. I hope that all of you enjoyed your summer and are gearing up for what appears to be a challenging and exciting fall. I thank all of you who volunteer your time and resources to help make this a wonderful organization; without you none of this would be possible. I also thank those who volunteer their time outside of this organization to make your communities a better place to live. It is people like you that

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truly make a difference to the people and places around you. As contractors, we usually don’t have much time to spare outside of running a business, but I encourage all of you to do what you can to help those around you. Whether it’s helping out someone in our industry with plumbing or heating, or simply volunteering to help someone in need, we can make a difference. As you read this magazine and look over the great things this organization and its affiliate members are doing, you should be very proud of your accomplishments. There are several ways we can volunteer, but one is volunteering time and resources to students and/or anyone that may be interested in our trade or industry. With the skilled labor shortage affecting contractors across the country, now it is more important than ever to get involved with our local schools, colleges and career centers. We as contractors have the responsibility to get out and inform these potential candidates what kind of career is possible in our industry. I believe this will be a necessity as we move forward and the lack of skilled trades’ employees becomes more prevalent. I encourage you to continue your support and help out where you can. If you need more information on how to volunteer, contact us at the MPMCA or one of your local chapters.

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LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

Greater Michigan PMCA Welcome to Camp Liberty

A new project for our PMC-UA Local 190 Labor-Management Fund is participating at Camp Liberty, Inc. Camp Liberty’s Mission Statement Camp Liberty provides inclusive outdoor recreational programs that aid in the reintegration of U.S. military service members, veterans, and their families, with an emphasis on assisting those with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. Camp Liberty’s base of operations, is operated through a

long-term land sharing agreement.

Under this agreement, Camp Liberty utilizes this property for its recreational and therapeutic programs. A multi-year conservation plan has been implemented to restore this property to a native Michigan habitat in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partner’s for Fish and Wildlife program and with the support of conservation organizations such as Pheasants Forever, Safari Club International, and the National Wild Turkey Federation. The Camp provides an environment conducive to the therapeutic experience facilitated by a natural wilderness setting. It helps individuals develop life skills or face health challenges. Camp Liberty is a restricted access facility that hosts 137 acres of prime wildlife property that holds a variety of grass lands, food plots and millions of 18 different types of flowers. The other half is beautifully forested ridges, swamp areas, and wetlands. There is about a half mile of frontage on the beautiful River Raisin. Each area offers excellent opportunities to observe Michigan wildlife species such as deer, turkey, pheasant, coyote and fish of multiple species including white suckers, small mouth bass, carp, pike, and pan fish. Each pre-arranged hunt or fishing outing gets a Veteran outdoors and up close and personal with Michigan’s natural wildlife resources. The campsite of Camp Liberty, once finished, will feature a welcome center able to house a large family for camping retreats, workshops and other family activities. Military families will be welcome to stay for a weekend and enjoy the relaxation and natural beauty, and groups of veterans will be invited to the campsite for workshops that will help with rehabilitation and social bonding. The Greater MI PMC and UA Local 190 have supported the program financially, and are in the process of organizing volunteers to assist on projects at the facilities. We would like to welcome other MCA/UA organization’s to join us in participating. Contact Sandra Miller at Greater Michigan PMC 734-665-4681 to discuss you or your organizations possible participation.

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Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor | Fall 2017

Career Development In the interest of promoting the many benefits of the Mechanical Industry, Greater MI PMC participates in many career expos, technical education programs and job fairs, to expose students from elementary age, to those graduating college, to career opportunities. Younger students gain Career Awareness, Self- Assessment and Goal Setting. It starts them thinking about ‘what do I want to do when I grow up’? As they continue in school, they continue in their Career Development. Hopefully students are exposed to the opportunity for Skill Training, as more and more schools are understanding the need to reinstate Technical Education Programs back into their curriculum. As Career Expos advance to Technical Education, advance to hopefully Student Chapters, advance to Job Fairs, students have slowly developed skills that have advanced them in their job seeking skills. Even if a student is not interested in immediate employment, a career fair is a great place for them to gain industry exposure and explore numerous career opportunities. The number one benefit of Student Chapter activities and job fairs is that it is a great opportunity to network with prospective employers and make personal contacts that can lead to a job. It is an opportunity to learn how to develop an ability to communicate effectively. Attending job fair activities and meeting with employers will give students an idea of how to act and behave around professionals. They can practice introducing themselves to employers and hiring managers. The discussions and interviews will also prepare them for possible interviews in the future. A piece of paper (resume) can easily be ignored and tossed into a bin. However, meeting a potential employer person-toperson will put a face on their application. It’s been a joy to see students attend job fairs and industry conferences as Student Chapter Members. As freshmen through seniors, we watch their development, gaining confidence as they network with employers, obtaining internships and graduating with jobs! The Ann Arbor Student Building Industry Program was started in 1970 by a group of local business, labor, and school leaders who believed that students could build a quality home with proper supervision and instruction, and in the process, gain valuable experience and skills. Members on the program’s Board of Directors coordinate the financial and technical aspects of each project. This year, the Ann Arbor Student Home Building Industry Program will celebrate completion of its 46th and final new home in the Sumerset Neighborhood thanks to the hard work of its dedicated students, support of local builders, contractors and related industry professionals. With the completion of this home, we also celebrate the entire Sumerset Neighborhood. 2016 culminates a 13 year effort to complete all 11 homes. With the help of UA Local 190 Plumber/ Pipefitters/Service Technicians/ Gas Distribution Pension Trust Fund and community support, the development became a reality. This year we are completing our 47th new home in our new home Kirkway of Scio where we have acquired a total of 8 lots and will be building for the next 7 years! Fall 2017 | Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor

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LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

Greater Michigan PMCA 26TH Greater MI MSCA HEAT’S ON

25 years they have performed 39 HEAT’S ON Projects.

Through the combined efforts of both the Greater MI MSCA and UA Local 190 Plumbers/ Pipefitters/Service Technicians, our chapter sponsors HEAT’S ON Project which completed its 25th year in their local area. Combined with the 14 years with our Ferris Chapter, over the past

These homes, thanks to the efforts of MSCA and UA Local 190, will be safe and warm this winter. The program continues to install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors for those who don’t have them. If they do, we change their batteries and make sure they are in good working order. The program has a number of return clients. This year we had a number of follow-up projects that required small repairs.

16th Annual HEAT’S ON Project MSCA’s Ferris State University

The Chapter has participated with Greater Michigan MSCA and UA Local 190 for the past 19 years. They enjoyed their participation, but felt they wanted to do more for Mecosta County where Ferris State University is located.

The Chapter took on the monumental task of scheduling a project for their hometown, working with the Mecosta/Osceola County Department of Health & Human Services. Trucks came from Ann Arbor, Hutzel Plumbing & Heating, Goyette Mechanical, Ann Arbor Flint, and T. H. Eifert in Lansing. Associate Director Diane Calmeyn, from Greater Michigan MSCA and Chapter Advisor Brian Holton were in attendance. Everyone, service techs and students alike enjoyed the opportunity to help those in need. [ 10 ]

Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor | Fall 2017

Supporting the Local Chamber of Commerce The second annual Smoke & Ale Fall Festival is another event that the association has supported, benefiting the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce. Our Labor-Management Fund helped by sponsoring a team for the fundraiser. Randall Whitaker, Training Director of the Greater MI Joint Training Committee (pictured above) and UA 190 Business Agent Dave Forbes (pictured left) comprised the team.

This BBQ Cook-Off Contest also included a beer fest featuring local Michigan microbreweries and wineries, music, corn hole, and a kids’ area.

Food Gatherers

exists to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in our community by reducing food waste through the rescue and distribution of perishable and nonperishable food; coordinating with other hunger relief providers; educating the public about hunger; and developing new food resources. The Association is proud to collect for Food Gatherers at our Inspectors Luncheon held during the holidays. At our last luncheon, we collected 315 pounds of food. The primary goal of the U. S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them into becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens, to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to improving communities in the future. The Association is proud to collect Toys for Tots at our Inspector’s Luncheon held during the holidays. At our last luncheon, we collected four boxes of toys for the annual collection.

Community Dinner The fund continues to support the free Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Community Dinner at Perry School (Gymnasium) which was originally formed on a small scale by the Behavior Workshop (BWs) co-founder Leolia Bridges in 1984. She ran a small food distribution program at Forrest Knoll/Arbor Manor with Food Gatherers. Her son Tyrone Bridges, the Founder of the Behavior Workshop (BWs) organized a network of businesses, family, and friends to prepare side dishes. The fund continues to support this free Annual Pre-Thanksgiving dinner, which is served to a capacity group.

Fall 2017 | Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor

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LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

Greater Michigan PMCA WCC Golf Outing The Washtenaw Community College celebrated its 50th year of opening their doors to all seeking an education and the WCC Foundation celebrated 30 years of helping students in need pursue their educational dreams through the awarding of scholarships. This year Greater Michigan Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association once again sponsored a hole at the 22nd Annual Jerry Jernigan Memorial “Drive for Education” Golf Outing. Golf was a true passion for Jerry and so was Washtenaw Community College and its wonderful students.

Dr. John A. Weeks Scholarship Golf Outing The Dr. John A. Weeks Scholarship Golf Outing, held September 14 at Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center, raised more than $62,000. The proceeds will benefit construction management students at EMU. The annual event, hosted by the EMU Construction Management Alumni Chapter, supports the Dr. John A. Weeks Scholarship, named in honor of the founder of EMU’s construction management program. The scholarship enables outstanding students to receive a first-class construction management education at Eastern Michigan.

Construction Management Program and Co-Chair of the Alumni Golf Outing. The Mechanical Industry LaborManagement Fund has been the Title Sponsor for the past 5 years of the event!

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Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor | Fall 2017

For more than 22 years, the construction program has been a reliable resource for the growing construction industry’s needs. EMU alumni are “building” Michigan’s future. John E. Green Company’s Jacob Gurica is an alumni of EMU’s

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LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

Flint Michigan PMCA The association recently donated to the Water & Woods Field Service Council, Boy Scouts of America, which has been used to help provide character development to 17,321 young men and women in 27 counties. With our support, these young men and women have been involved in many positive activities. Together they have completed over 49,642 hours of community service, recruited 3,800 new youth, earned 9,223 merit badges and 246 youth have achieved the highest rank of Eagle. The Boy Scouts of America has also launched a new program this year for kindergarten-age boys, the Lion Adventure. This program has helped to introduce 293 new youth to Boy Scouts of America.

Scholarships The Scholarship Program for the children of UA Local 370 members and contractors continues to be a very successful endeavor. The program is an excellent way to support those individuals that we hope will have an interest in making the plumbing & mechanical industry a career. It has been in existence since 1988, the number of scholarships varies from year to year.

Vietnam Veterans of America

Please make it home safe today.

The Vietnam Veterans of America Genesee County Chapter #175 in Flint is a vibrant area community group. They Conduct a wide range of services such as food baskets during the holiday season for those in need. In September they have service and vigil on National POW*MIA Recognition Day and provide a wide Check any ayou’d range risk a life for. of services for veterans. The Flint PMC has financially supported the organization by participating in their Annual Benefit Concert, with advertising and distributing tickets for a number of years.

Cause of Helping The Community Death

The Flint Association has been a financial supporter of the North End Soup Kitchen andSpeeding Carriage Town Ministries for a number of years. The North End Soup Kitchen provides meals to the homeless and indigent. The work done by the Kitchen is much Distracted needed in our area. Families, individuals and senior citizens turn to Driving the Food Bank network for relief with food, many for the first time.

Driving

Partnering with Carriage Town is an on-going program of the Association as they reach out to the Tired Federated Mutual Insurance Company homeless of our community. The Ministries have been serving the homeless in the area since 1950, Federated Service Insurance Company* Federated Gatlin, Life Insurance Company “rescuing the least, last, lonely, and the lost”. As stated by Executive Director, Dallas Road Rage Owatonna, Minnesota 55060 | Phone 507.455.5200 “Because of your generosity, many found a home here at Carriage Town thiswww.federatedinsurance.com winter! ... 17.06 Ed. 9/16 *Not licensed in the states NH, NJ, and VT. I cannot adequately describe in a few words what it is like to go from homelessness toofhope, © 2017 Federated Mutual Insurance Company but I can tell you what it looks like and there is nothing like it!” [ 14 ]

Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor | Fall 2017

from year to year.

Vietnam Veterans of America The Vietnam Veterans of America Genesee County Chapter #175 in Flint is a vibrant area community group. They Conduct a wide range of services such as food baskets during the holiday season for those in need. In September they have a service and vigil on National POW*MIA Recognition Day and provide a wide range of services for veterans. The Flint PMC has financially supported the organization by participating in their Annual Benefit Concert, with advertising and distributing tickets for a number of years.

Helping The Community The Flint Association has been a financial supporter of the North End Soup Kitchen and Carriage Town Ministries for a number of years. The North End Soup Kitchen provides meals to the homeless and indigent. The work done by the Kitchen is much needed in our area. Families, individuals and senior citizens turn to the Food Bank network for relief with food, many for the first time. Partnering with Carriage Town is an on-going program of the Association as they reach out to the homeless of our community. The Ministries have been serving the homeless in the area since 1950, “rescuing the least, last, lonely, and the lost”. As stated by Executive Director, Dallas Gatlin, “Because of your generosity, many found a home here at Carriage Town this winter! ... I cannot adequately describe in a few words what it is like to go from homelessness to hope, but I can tell you what it looks like and there is nothing like it!”

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LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

MCA Detroit

ONE OF AMERICA’S FIRSTS IS HELPING DETROITERS JOIN THE TRADES Adrienne Bennett completed the five-year apprenticeship program with Plumbers Local Union 98 and received her journeyman plumber’s license in 1985. She was the first female graduate and received her master’s in 1987. She served the City of Detroit as a Plumbing Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer and has worked in the industry for over 40 years. Bennett was America’s first African American female, licensed Master Plumber. Currently Bennett’s Detroit-based plumbing business, Benkari, is going strong and has been contracted to manage portions of plumbing work at several construction projects throughout the Detroit area. Bennett mostly recently has said that she’s had an influx of

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Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor | Fall 2017

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Detroiters contacting her about enrolling in apprenticeship programs in the trades. “With that opportunity, I’m helping others who wouldn’t have the opportunity to get a foot in the door,” she said. “I’m that foot in the door for them.” Benkari is one of the plumbing contractors working on Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena and surrounding mixed-use buildings as well as managing some underground plumbing work at the new Little Caesars World Headquarters campus expansion on Woodward Avenue. “Over 40 years I’ve had the opportunity to be on a lot of projects. This particular project I feel is helping to revitalize the city,” she stated in an interview with the District Detroit staff. Bennett has held a litany of positions throughout her career including: Chief Project Manager, Chief Space Analyst, Plumbing Estimator, and Drain Layer Contractor. Bennett’s specialties include: medical gas systems, plumbing code compliance, water conservation, plumbing and piping systems for all facility types. Bennett is a member of MCA Detroit and Plumbers Local 98 where all organizations are involved with the apprenticeship program held at the Plumbing Industry Training Center in Troy as well as being an active member of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Newman Consulting Group, the National Association of Women, NAWIC, the African-American Business Initiative of Detroit (AABI), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Detroit City Council Skilled Trades Task Force, and is a licensed instructor for the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). She won the Detroit Crystal Vision Award, Woman of the Year in 2016 and received the Career Mastered Women’s History Month Award on March 1, 2017. Bennett’s goal is for Benkari to develop into a secondgeneration premier specialty trade contractor that operates in multiple states. Visit the website at: www.benkari.com or call, 313-592-0618.

LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

Bay Area Michigan PMCA VOLUNTEERING ON THE USS EDSON MUSEUM SHIP An appreciation luncheon was held on June 12 at the USS Edson Museum Ship in Bay City. Bay Area Association Contractors with the Members of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 85 have volunteered many service hours making the ship a National Historic Landmark. The apprentices of Local 85 have put in many hours installing water lines, shoring up the dock, and installing collection holding transfer lines. The USS Edson was decommissioned in 1988, but the following year became a museum ship at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City. Returning to Navy lay-up in 2004, it was agreed that it should once again become a museum ship. In 2012, it was brought to Bay City and has become a National Historic Landmark. It is only one of two surviving Forest Sherman-class destroyers. Prior to its decommissioned state, the USS Edson received an exceptionally meritorious service award in 1962 in the Gulf of Tonkin. The ship was named after Major General Merritt â&#x20AC;&#x153;Red Mikeâ&#x20AC;? Edson, USMC.

Fall 2017 | Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor

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LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

Mid-Michigan MCA 2017 SKILLSUSA RESIDENTIAL PLUMBING CONTEST

The 2017 SkillsUSA Residential Plumbing Contest was conducted this year on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel/DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. The judges included Aaron Munoz of UA Local 636 (Detroit), Daren Wilson of UA Local 174 (Grand Rapids) and Brian McKay, Grand Rapids City Plumbing Inspector. The Mid-Michigan Mechanical Contractors Association (3MCA) and the West Michigan Mechanical Contractors Association (WMMCA) co-sponsored the event and both Becky Brimley and Cindy Morse were present to assist in the competition. Thirteen contestants competed with the top three places awarded to the following students: First Place – Andrew Funckes, Careerline Tech Center (Holland), Second Place – Zach Stanton, Careerline Tech Center (Holland), and Third Place – Kevin Brower, Careerline Tech Center (Holland). 3MCA, WMMCA and Ferguson Enterprises also jointly donated a Milwaukee M18” 2-Tool Combo Kit to the first place winner.

Andrew Funckes, Careerline Tech Center

Brittany Dice, Lapeer County Ed Tech Center

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Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor | Fall 2017

Zach Stanton, Careerline Tech Center

Benjamin Brace, Lapeer County Ed Tech Center

Judges (from left) Aaron Munoz, Daren Wilson, and Brian Mckay scoring one of the completed projects.

Judge Daren Wilson assisting with Contestant Eiliana Coping.

Kevin Brower, Careerline Tech Center

Kevin Brower, Andrew Funckes and Zach Stanton at SkillsUSA Awards Ceremony

THE 22TH ANNUAL DOUG GRIFFITH COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD BREAKFAST AND 3MCA & UA LOCAL 333 JOINTLY DONATE $10,000 TO SPARROW CHILDREN’S CENTER DAY OF MIRACLES Sparrow’s Children Center, UA Local 333 and 3MCA partnered to recognize a leader in community service in the tradition of labor leader Doug Griffith to raise money for the Sparrow Children’s Center Day of Miracles on Friday, May 12, 2017. The event was hosted by Sparrow Labor Community Relations Specialist, Claire Corr (pictured bottom, left). The featured “Miracle Child” was 16-month-old Claire Marie Stephens of Maple Rapids (pictured left, second row with Mom, Megan, and third row). Dr. Stephen Guertin of Sparrow Hospital’s Pediatric Critical Care (pictured left, top row) gave an overview of Claire’s condition. Claire was born at 24 weeks, along with her twin brother, Grady. Both required chest tubes and were diagnosed with severe bleeding in their tiny brains and the severity and degree of the damage was undeterminable at the time. Twin brother, Grady, passed away at 17 days after developing a perforated bowel and multi-organ failure. Throughout Claire’s 135-day journey at Sparrow, she was cared for by nurses, neonatologists, respiratory therapists, neurologists, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, ophthalmologists, and a physical therapist and speech therapist. They all played an important role in helping Claire heal and thrive and Sparrow and the Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU) will always hold a special place in her parents’ hearts. The Doug Griffith Community Service Award was presented this year to Glenn Freeman, President of the Greater Lansing Labor Council AFL-CIO (pictured left, bottom, with Claire Corr). Claire Corr described Glenn as a great mentor that is involved in all facets of the local community with a knack to communicate with all types of people. The 2017 Sparrow Children’s Center Day of Miracles on April 21st raised more than $848,000 to benefit the young patients of the Sparrow Children’s Center. The money raised during the telethon will help fund improvements to the Sparrow Children’s Center and ensure the on-going advancement of medical care for all children in mid-Michigan, regardless of their ability to pay. 3MCA and UA Local 333 were phone bank sponsors and jointly donated. UA Local 333 Business Manager Price Dobernick, Business Agent Chris Keck and other UA Local 333 members volunteered for one hour of phone bank coverage (pictured bottom, center). 3MCA’s Becky Brimley is pictured (bottom, right) with the $10,000 check.

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LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

West Michigan PMCA

SKILLSUSA MICHIGAN APRIL 8 COMPETITION JOHN KOONTZ WORKSHOPS

The WMMCA hosted two seminars this spring presented by John Koontz. John conducted The Foreman’s Role in Project Documentation workshop in the morning followed by Essential Management Skills for the Project Foreman workshop in the afternoon. The use of Local 174’s assembly for the training was greatly appreciated. All participants of both seminars took away practical tips of the trade.

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SkillsUSA is a national organization serving more than 310,000 high school and college students and professional members who are enrolled in training programs in technical and skilled service occupations. SkillsUSA Michigan held their annual State Leadership and Skills Conference April 7-9 in Grand Rapids. The Mid-Michigan MCA and the WMMCA co-hosted the Residential Plumbing Competition. Twelve students competed in this competition. Thanks to the judges, Brian McKay, Aaron Munoz, and Daren Wilson who participated in this year’s competition.

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Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor | Fall 2017

THANK YOU EVENT AT WHITECAPS BASEBALL GAME

The annual WMMCA Thank You Whitecaps baseball game was a success… Weather was great, the Caps won and the networking was worthwhile!

ANNUAL MEETING UPDATE

During the WMMCA’s 2017 Annual Meeting in our new offices at 601 Three Mile Road NW, Grand Rapids, elections were held. Russ Borst, Hurst Mechanical, was elected to complete the 3rd year of Rick Ekken’s term. Andy Jasper, Andy J. Egan Co.; Brett Lascko, Lascko Mechanical; and Jodi van Haren, Advantage Mechanical Refrigeration were elected to three-year terms terminating June 2020. Rick Ekkens was thanked for serving as WMMCA president since July 2009. All wished him well in his retirement, which begins in October.

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NCPWB CHAPTER 18 UPDATE

Promoting a quality certified workforce, Chapter 18 of the NCPWB has 138 certified welders. The Joint NCPWB/ UA welding program has scheduled joint test events at the Local 174 Training Center in January, March, May, July, September, and October. The West Michigan Mechanical Contractors Association was established to represent and service its members in Grand Rapids, Muskegon and the West Lakeshore areas of Michigan. Association members dedicate themselves to quality, dependability, safety, education and community service as they serve as the primary liaison for labor relations and multi-employer collective bargaining.

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Granger (574) 271–4200

Kalamazoo (269) 349–6608

Port Huron (810) 987–3111

South Bend (574) 232–1421

Lansing (517) 487–3601

Redford (313) 532–4486

Ann Arbor (734) 663–9335

Mt. Pleasant (989) 772–7083

Traverse City (231) 946–1490

Dearborn Heights (313) 291–2110

Muskegon (231) 722–3711

Troy (248) 549–4665

Grand Rapids (616) 356–1198

New Hudson (248) 437–5109

Utica (586) 566–0300

Jackson (517) 788–4510

Petoskey (231) 487–1630

Walled Lake (248) 624–5910

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Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor | Fall 2017