SMACNA held its 81st Annual Convention in Palm Desert, California, one of the most attended conventions in recent memory. Carol Duncan, SMACNA President, CEO, and owner of General Sheet Metal in Clackamas, Oregon, kicked off the event by welcoming attendees to what she described as "not just a group but a family." The gathering emphasized SMACNA's commitment to growth, diversity, and collaboration in the industry.
"SMACNA is about more than just business," Duncan says. "It's about creating purpose and a sense of belonging." She highlighted the association's role in fostering innovation, stating that SMACNA is closely tracking over 269 megaprojects across North America, underscoring the need for contractor collaboration on a larger scale than ever before.
Sessions focused on innovation, emerging best practices, government relations, and other hot topics available to attendees. In addition, members had the opportunity to listen to two dynamic speakers throughout the event. Best-selling author and success strategist Alex Banayan urges HVAC and sheet metal contractors to harness mindset, resilience, and unconventional strategies to thrive in a rapidly changing industry.
Later, Peter Zeihan, a renowned geopolitical strategist, delivered a powerful address for sheet metal and HVAC contractors, illuminating global dynamics shifts. Zeihan, a leading thinker on how geography, demography, energy, and trade shape economies and industries, underscored the urgent need for HVAC contractors to prepare for a changing landscape marked by the end of globalization and the onset of a local industrial renaissance.
The Labor Forum punctuated the final day, during which SMART General President Michael Coleman engaged with the SMACNA membership on critical topics.
New individuals were inducted into the SMACNA College of Fellows; they were:
- Shasta Erickson, President of Miller Bonded in Albuquerque, New Mexico, entered the industry as an accounting clerk in 1999 and has since shown an unwavering dedication to strengthening SMACNA's market presence.
- Dan Monahan, President of J.E. Monahan Metals in Queensbury, New York, began his career as an apprentice and worked his way up. He contributed to SMACNA at the national level as a committed advocate for the industry.
- Deborah Wyandt, Chapter Executive of the Capital District and Florida SMACNA Chapters, has worked with SMACNA for over three decades. Wyandt's efforts in labor relations have contributed significantly to advancing labor-management relationships.
The afternoon's highlight was the ceremonial transfer of SMACNA leadership to incoming President Tom Martin. As Duncan passed the gavel to Martin, she praised his dedication and leadership, saying, "I know that SMACNA will continue to thrive under Tom's guidance."
Martin, a second-generation contractor and President of T.H. Martin, Inc., spoke of his father's influence on his career and how SMACNA has been an invaluable resource throughout his journey in the industry.
Martin introduced the newly elected board members, each of whom brings valuable expertise and passion to SMACNA:
- Dominic Bonitatis from Prime Sheet Metal in Warminster, Pennsylvania
- Matthew Cole of Wing's Testing and Balancing in Brantford, Connecticut
- Paul Klaus of Icon Mechanical in Granite City, Illinois
- Joseph Passannante from Cleats Manufacturing in Chicago, Illinois
Additionally, Martin announced the new SMACNA officers:
- President-Elect Todd Hill
- Secretary-Treasurer Scott Vidimos
- Vice President Joe Samia
- Immediate Past President Carol Duncan
With the gavel in Martin's hands, SMACNA enters a new chapter fueled by a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and community impact. Martin closed his remarks by inviting contractors to actively shape SMACNA's future: "The investment of time, energy, and resources into SMACNA is the best investment you can make for your career, your business, and our industry."
As attendees prepared for evening festivities, Martin echoed in the room: "SMACNA's future is bright, and every member has a role to play in its success."
