Senior Leadership Success Characteristics
(A New Horizons Foundation Project)
Monday 7:45 am to 9:15 am

Presenter: Jake Appleman, Senior Consultant
Fails Management Institute

The New Horizons Foundation has recently commissioned and released a series of White Papers on topics of interest to stakeholders in the HVAC and Sheet Metal industry available on the New Horizons website: http://newhorizonsfoundation.org. This session will provide a high-level look at three of these articles that focus on:

• The role of the CEO and the senior leaders in an HVAC organization: What are the critical success factors? What should they do in the firm?
• Strategic Planning: The Benefits, the Process, the Pitfalls, and Best Practices: How to create plans that bring value to the organization.
• Continuous Improvement Programs in the Construction Industry: Lean, Total Quality Management, Kaizen, and other approaches that can enhance performance in your organization.

Jake is a senior consultant with FMI, management consultants, and investment bankers for the construction industry. As a member of FMI’s Center for Strategic Leadership, Jake is committed to partnering with architecture, engineering and construction organizations to develop exceptional leadership.

The 5 – Star Award to Achieving Customer Care
Monday 7:45 am to 9:15 am

Presenter: Richard Flint
Richard Flint Seminars

Is your company performing at an average level when it could be working toward achieving a 5-star rating in customer care and on the path to greatness? The ever-popular Richard Flint brings this new training program for leadership, management and staff to SMACNA’s 70th annual convention. Once you learn the four things that keep a company performing at an average level, you’ll be on your way to achieving the 5-star principles to customer care. Richard will help you examine the purpose of your company and what it needs to offer your customers so they can see the value of their business relationship with you.

For the past 32 years, Richard Flint has been involved in working with organizations all over the United States and in the process has learned what separates an average company from a great company.

Don’t Ignore the Health Side of Safety and Health
Monday 7:45 am to 9:15 am

Presenter: Victor D’amato
Atrium Environmental Health and Safety Services, LLC

In this session, participants will learn the occupational health risks in the sheet metal and HVAC industry and how to identify and control the associated hazards. The “hidden illnesses” that are part of the industrial hygiene process can result from chemicals such as hexavalent chromium and manganese in welding fumes, contaminants such as lead and asbestos, elevated noise levels, musculoskeletal issues related to material handling, and other occupational health exposures.

Participants will also learn about recent and proposed OSHA regulations on health hazard compliance, including Hazcom 2012, as well as basic industrial hygiene practices.

This session is presented by Victor D’Amato, CIH, CSP, who has more than 25 years of experience in occupational safety and industrial hygiene, including having conducted numerous sheet metal and HVAC inspections, as well as developing compliance assistance programs.

As director for Atrium Environmental Health and Safety Services LLC (Atrium), in Reston, Va., Mr. D’Amato has experience in identifying, evaluating, and controlling occupational exposures in the metal fabrication, construction, defense, transportation, maritime, and biopharmaceutical industries. As the principal investigator on several industry-wide studies, he has analyzed hexavalent chromium exposures during welding activities for the National Shipbuilding Research Program. He is a recognized expert in matters involving mold, asbestos, lead, respiratory protection, chemical exposures, electrical safety, and material handling.

Mr. D’Amato has a bachelor of science degree in Environmental Health from Old Dominion University, a master’s degree in Engineering Management from The George Washington University, is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), and a Certified Safety Professional (CSP).

Just-in-Time Training: Applications for the HVAC/Sheet Metal Industry
(A New Horizons Foundation Project)
Monday 9:45 am to 11:15 am

Presenter: Ashley Sisk, Talent Consultant
Fails Management Institute

Just-in-Time Training (or learning) is a process that provides critical training to individuals just before the skills taught will be used in a practical application. This flexible training used in other industries has been evaluated for potential application in our industry. The interest is driven by new technologies, industry demographics and the necessity to develop a flexible workforce to meet the emerging needs within the industry. This session will discuss:

• The reasons and benefits of utilizing Just-in-Time Training.
• The various training approaches currently being used within the building and other industries.
• The pros and cons of these approaches with an emphasis on the HVAC and Sheet Metal industry.
• The existing major training institutions and resources to determine the viability of these resources as a training solution.
• The challenges faced and other lessons learned for the HVAC and Sheet Metal industry.
• Guidelines for structuring a Just-in-Time Training Program for industry stakeholders.

As a consultant with FMI, management consultants to the construction industry, Ashley Sisk works with a wide range of firms across the construction industry to improve the effectiveness of human capital within their organizations. In particular, Ashley works with management level employees to enhance the skills they need to oversee projects and business units. She is passionate about developing construction professionals and aims to create learning environments where all employees’ talents can be fully utilized and valued.

The Business Case: Zero-Net-Energy Buildings
Monday 2:15 pm to 3:45 pm

Presenter: Jerry Yudelson, PE, LEED Fellow
Principal, Yudelson Associates

In this very informative session, you will learn how building owners and developers are making the business case for zero-net-energy sustainable buildings and developments to get positive reductions in carbon emissions. By learning the business case, you’ll better understand how to present your contribution to energy efficiency with proven strategies for getting to zero carbon emissions without breaking the project budget. Topics for discussion will include optimizing VAV, fan walls and other ducted solutions in conjunction with radiant heating/cooling, as well as on building renovations that are aiming at Net Zero Energy.

Jerry Yudelson is a professional engineer and LEED Fellow with more than 25 years’ experience with renewable energy systems, green building design, environmental remediation, and water conservation. He holds an MBA (with honors) from the University of Oregon and engineering degrees from Caltech and Harvard.

He has served on the national board of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is an expert in the LEED green building rating system

Suretyship – Changes – How to Deal!
Monday 2:15 pm to 3:45 pm

Presenter: Kenneth N. Ryan J.D.
WRA & Associates

As we all know, the principles of suretyship will always remain the same but how are the sureties coping with the continued slow construction marketplace? How have their results been and what does that mean for your business in the near term?

In his presentation, Mr. Ryan will discuss the current state of sureties (winners and losers!), how the sureties have changed their underwriting and marketing approach, and needed changes in strategic planning. Mr. Ryan will also address fundamental changes, i.e., competition and pricing, needed to give your company a competitive edge.

Mr. Ryan brings over 38 years of experience in the surety, construction and insurance industries. He is the COO of ABRW, a national contractor certification firm, and is a principal in WRA & Associates, a consulting firm that provides consulting services to the construction and insurance industries.

Mastering the Five Skills for Effective Leadership
Wednesday 9:30 am to 11:30 am

Presenter: Richard Flint
Richard Flint Seminars

Time to brush up on your leadership skills? The leader who doesn’t constantly work to sharpen these skills soon becomes a participant in the struggle, rather than a leader who can guide their people forward with clarity, calmness, and the confidence their people need to feel from their leader. Join the ever-popular Richard Flint as he shares ways to fine-tune the five leadership skills—listening, communication, confrontation, delegation and decision making—that every leader must master to provide effective leadership. When the leader is deficient in these areas the company will lack a common purpose, common agenda and common commitment, resulting in growth being neutralized.

Remember leadership is not a title or position; it is a responsibility.

Richard Flint has been working with organizations all over the United States for 32 years and has learned why some companies struggle and others excel.

Policy, Politics and Construction: 2013 and Beyond
Wednesday 9:30 am to 11:30 am

Presenters: Stan Kolbe, Director of Legislation
Dana Thompson, Director of Political Affairs

Stan Kolbe, director of governmental affairs and Dana Thompson, director of political affairs will lead an interactive presentation focused upon issues and developments in the overly turbulent 113th Congress. If you think Capitol Hill seems to be lurching from one crisis to another ranging from political infighting to bitter policy disagreements you are right.

The convention’s featured political and legislative policy session will explain why and unravel what it all means for SMACNA's contractor members and their legislative priorities, including pension reform, tax incentives and energy efficiency initiatives. The program will include a variety of predictions for the 113th Congress as well as analyze the 2014 Congressional races and handicap the 2016 race for the White House! Come prepared for an entertaining exchange and be part of the discussion.