A Journey Built on Opportunity: SMACNA’s New President Looks Ahead

Aloha, everyone. It means the world to me to serve as your 2025-2026 SMACNA National President.

Aloha, everyone. It means the world to me to serve as your 2025-2026 SMACNA National President. When I first started in this industry, I never realized the opportunities that would come my way. I truly care about SMACNA's mission and will do my best to earn your trust.

For me, SMACNA’s core value is enabling opportunities for its members.

I began my career in the trade in 1990 at age 19, while attending community college full-time. My father encouraged me to take the sheet metal apprentice test, and his advice proved invaluable. Looking back, I am grateful for his guidance.

My father, who passed in 2018 after a 43-year career in sheet metal, took great pride in his work. As I advanced at Ventcon, he often reminded me of the value of his advice. I hope to continue making him proud.

I now have been with Ventcon for 35 years. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me, both as a business leader and as a member of this association. Our industry offers unique opportunities for career advancement through dedication and hard work.

SMACNA offers valuable benefits, especially when it comes to technology, labor and business management. Our

industry keeps changing, which means there are always new chances to grow. I encourage you to get involved. Other members have a lot of experience to share. By joining in, you can discover new ways to run your business and create more opportunities for yourself and your team.

Investing in my career and business by being active in SMACNA has been one of my best decisions.

If I can inspire even one person to take full advantage of what SMACNA National offers, I will consider my presidency a success.

Thank you for this opportunity to serve. I look forward to connecting with many of you in the coming year.

Todd Hill
SMACNA President

Published: January 12, 2026

SMACNews November/December 2025

IN THIS ISSUE

A Journey Built on Opportunity: SMACNA’s New President Looks Ahead

Aloha, everyone. It means the world to me to serve as your 2025-2026 SMACNA National President.

Appeals Court Upholds Minnesota's Construction Worker Misclassification Law

On Oct. 24, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued a decision that should be viewed as a meaningful victory for responsible union construction contractors.

Breaking Records, Building Opportunities

Industry leaders gather to strengthen ties and shape the future of the HVAC and sheet metal trades.

Flying High Again

SMACNA member W.G. Tomko’s work on the redesigned mechanical systems at Pittsburgh International Airport was key to the $1.7-billion renovation project.

Forging the Future of Industrial Sheet Metal

Family-founded and future-focused, Vidimos Inc. stakes its reputation on precision, flexibility and a commitment to craftsmanship.

Navigating Tariffs, Tax Incentives, and Workforce Priorities

On going legislative developments and regulatory actions at the federal level continue to shape the competitive landscape, costs and project opportunities for HVAC and sheet metal contractors.

On the Brink of Change

How one residential HVAC contractor has been preparing for the A2L refrigerants transition.

On the Front Lines of Policy

Congressman Ed Case talks defense, dysfunction and the future of America’s builders.

P1 Construction Sets New Benchmark in Construction Safety with Dual Innovation Programs

SMACNA’s 2025 Safety Innovator of the Year creates a safer, more supportive culture for workers.

Raising the Bar in Brazil

Inside SMACNA Brazil’s mission to bring quality HVAC and cleaner air to the forefront.

Stainless Spires Rise Above the River

Budde Sheet Metal Works crafts soaring eagle-wing spires, blending old-school expertise and next-gen training for Dayton’s New Law Enforcement Memorial that honors fallen officers.

The Majority of SMACNA Members Need a CTO

Conferences across construction and fabrication are full of talk about analytics, metrics and KPIs.

The ROI of AI in Construction: A Financial Perspective

Contractors are increasingly presented with AI-powered tools marketed to boost efficiency and reduce risk.

Uncertainty is the New Normal

Economist Rebecca Patterson warns that tariffs will rise and AI will reshape work as the economy enters uncharted territory.

Welcome New SMACNA Members

When the Sky Isn't the Limit

Colonel Nicole Malachowski shows SMACNA how courage, change and gratitude can take leaders further than altitude ever could.