UA International Representative Donald House Speaks to Membership

UA International Representative Donald House, Director of the UA Service and Residential Divisions spoke to the PMC's April Membership Meeting.

Don reviewed the new service technician certification program that has just been completed by the UA. He explained how the exam was developed and its purpose. A marketing plan for the new certification program for technicians, contractors and ultimately the end user was discussed.

The certification exam will be given to 5th year apprentices at the conclusion of their service training program. If they pass the exam they will be given UA-STAR (Service Technician Air-Conditioning/Heating Refrigeration) Certification plus 30 hours of college credit. It is hoped that the certification program will be introduced at the North American Pipe Trades Training Conference scheduled for the end of June.

Don House recently attended the Mechanical Service Contractors of America's Marketing Committee Meeting to discuss the program and its subsequent need for marketing. PMC's President Sandra Miller, a member of the national committee and Don discussed the various marketing suggestions that came from the meeting and the need for a coordinated national program to insure the acceptance from the customer community.

Pictured left - L. to R. - Top - John Darr, John Darr Mechanical, Jim Dornbrock, Altech Mechanical Service, Mike Kotubey, Limbach, Inc., George Wilbur, George F. Wilbur, Inc. - Center - Dan McGovern, McGovern Plumbing & Heating, Linda and Scott Cummins, Hutzel Plumbing & Heating - Bottom - PMC's Executive Associate, Diane Calmeyn, and Jim Dornborck

Along with the STAR Program Don discussed the new National Residential Agreement that was recently distributed to Business Managers and MCA Associations. The PMC membership had signed on to the National Agreement at a Ceremony in August during UA Training Week.

Contractor members, many who are long time friends of Don, also had the opportunity to catch up on the old times and discuss the industry.

PMC Forms Second Student Chapter Alliance with Eastern Constructors - Eastern Michigan University

The Greater Michigan PMC has formed its second student chapter and first MCAA Chapter at Eastern Michigan University. The Association is now helping to sponsor the "Eastern Constructors" jointly with the Detroit AGC. The Chapter works with students in the Construction Management Discipline.

We recently held our first field trip with the students with a tour of the new John E. Green Offices in Ann Arbor, and followed up with the site tour of the University of Michigan Life Sciences Building. Mike Brunett, (right) PMC Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President and Manager of the Ann Arbor Office of the John E. Green Company, showed the students through their new offices. He discussed at length the role of the mechanical contractor in the construction process and walked the students through a number of projects that the company is currently involved. Then it was on to the John E. Green bus and off to the construction site.

University of Michigan - Life Sciences Project

The tour began at the job trailer for the construction manager. After everyone put on the hard hats and safety glasses provided by John E. Green, it was off to view the start of one of the major projects for the University of Michigan. This was the first of what we hope will be many tours to the project.

    

Continual visits will be an ongoing part of Chapter activities throughout the years, giving the students the opportunity to be involved in the project from the ground up.

PMC Dinner

Directly following the tour the students and their advisors adjourned to a local restaurant to review the tour and talk about upcoming events. Pictured right is student Joe Guy with Professor William Moylan accepting the Student of the Year Award.