Dominic Bonitatis
Dominic Bonitatis
Dominic Bonitatis, III, is the owner of Prime Sheet Metal, based out of Warminster, PA. Dominic, a third-generation sheet metal worker, attended St. Joseph's University and entered the industry in 1984. Since then, Dominic has become more involved in the industry and SMACNA. He has served in a variety of roles in both the Philadelphia metropolitan area and throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Locally, Dominic has acted as the JATC Co-Chair, Industry Fund Chair and Trustee, Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President, and President of SMCA. Focusing on his service to SMACNA of Pennsylvania, Dominic has served as the Legislative Committee Chair on the Executive Committee and the Budget and Finance Committee Chair. In terms of national SMACNA, Dominic has been a tireless advocate for the industry through his work with SMAC PAC, forging relationships with lawmakers throughout the Mid-Atlantic and on both sides of the aisle. Dominic shared his readiness to serve the association nationally, stating "I feel my experience as a longtime director in Philadelphia, having gone through the chairs and serving as President during the COVID-19 pandemic, has me well-prepared to serve the industry at the national level...I am humbled and grateful for my chapter's support in seeking this position."
Matthew Cole
Matthew Cole
Matthew Cole, LEED AP-BD&C with Branford, Connecticut-based Wing's Testing & Balancing, has a robust professional background in testing and air balancing. A Western Connecticut University graduate, his industry involvement began in 1999. He has risen to become Wing's Field Operations Manager. He has robust credentials in the space, including serving as the National ICB Technical Committee Chairman and as a TABB-Certified Supervisor and Technician. Matthew is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and the Connecticut Chapter of ASHRAE and is regarded as an expert in Indoor Air Quality in schools. He also serves on the Board of Directors with Connecticut SMACNA and as the chair of the SMACNA TAB Market Sector Council. Matthew outlined his passion for the association and his reasons for looking to serve at the national level. "My goal is to think bigger and broader about the challenges and opportunities for both TAB and Sheet Metal and to offer my unique viewpoints and experience in helping to advance our industry."
Paul Klaus
Paul Klaus
Paul Klaus is the Senior Vice President of Icon Mechanical in Granite City, Illinois. Paul's career in the industry began after he graduated from the University of Illinois in 1996, where he started as a Sales Engineer with United McGill Corporation in Madison, Wisconsin. After that, he joined Lyon Sheet Metal as a Project Engineer, becoming the firm's Executive Vice President. Locally, Paul has proven to be highly involved with SMACNA St. Louis, serving as the Chapter President and LJAB Chair and on several committees, including the Budget, Labor, Negotiating, Installation, Education, and Nominating Committee. Paul also collaborates on the Real Costs of the Sheet Metal Business Program with fellow SMACNA Contractor Butch Welsch. Nationally, Paul is
engaged with the association in various functions, including as a trustee with SMACN-IFUS (and currently serves as chair) while also serving on the Budget and Finance Committee, Rectangular Industrial Duct Construction Standards Task Force, and the ITI HVAC Sub Committee. Paul has a long history of local involvement in the greater construction industry, highlighted by an eight-year stint in the St. Louis Engineer's Club. Paul outlined his passion for SMACNA by saying, "The continued development of world-class SMACNA programs, maintaining our strong relationship with our SMART labor partners, and the progression of our Sheet Metal Industry as a whole are issues that are important to me and that I will advocate for at the national level."
Joseph Passannante
Joseph Passannante
Joseph Passannante is the Vice President of Chicago, IL-based Cleats Manufacturing. Joe graduated from Chicago's DePaul University and got his start in our industry as an Estimator. Since 2004, he has been a member of the Cleats team, rising to his current role as Vice President. Joe is deeply involved with SMACNA in the Chicago area, currently serving on the chapter's board of directors and having a previous stint as the President of SMACNA Greater Chicago. He has a great deal of labor relations experience, serving as the chairman of the local JATC and on the trustee's negotiating team. Joe has also been an essential member of the greater Chicago community, being involved with Kids Fight Cancer. This charity aims to rid local youths of the scourge of cancer. In discussing his desire to continue serving SMACNA, Joe said, "I have focused on being an engaged and effective member of SMACNA Greater Chicago. I am excited to serve the national association in the same manner that I have served Chicago."
The newly elected Directors shall take office on the day following adjournment of the convention.
