PROGRAM

2023-09-27
2023-09-27
Vue Rooftop Ballroom
2023-09-28
2023-09-28
Vue Rooftop Ballroom
Regency Ballroom
Milwaukee Room
Foyer
2023-09-29
2023-09-29
Regency Ballroom
Milwaukee Room
Harley-Davidson Museum
Executive Ballroom
2023-09-30
2023-09-30
Regency Ballroom
Vue Rooftop Ballroom
Vue Rooftop Ballroom
Regency Ballroom
Milwaukee Room
Foyer
Regency Ballroom
Milwaukee Room
Harley-Davidson Museum
Executive Ballroom
Regency Ballroom
17:00 - 18:00 (CST)
Career Development Committee Cocktail Hour Vue Rooftop Ballroom
  • Sponsored by:
  • MILWAUKEE TOOL

Recommended attendees: Career Development Committee members, MCAA Board Members, Local Association Executives, GFF23 Sponsors and Speakers.

08:00 - 09:00 (CST)
Alumni Breakfast Milwaukee Room

Student chapter alumni from the past 30 years (1993-2023) are encouraged to gather for breakfast prior to the official kick-off of GFF23.     

The Registration Desk will be available for Alumni from 7:00 – 8:00 am in the Foyer, prior to breakfast.

12:30 - 14:15 (CST)
Registration & Snack Station Foyer
  • Sponsored by:
  • NIBCO

Check-in, gather your swag and grab a bite at the snack stationDon’t forget to place your chapter logo on the “We’re Here” sign!

14:30 - 14:45 (CST)
Welcome Regency Ballroom

Learn how MCAA, faculty advisors, industry advisors and local affiliated executives work together with our network of 2,600 contractor members and 125 Manufacturer/Supplier Council members to deliver resources and career opportunities to our MCAA student chaptersConference ground rules and expectations will also be discussed, plus a special video message from MCAA President, Robert Beck, will be released! 

Speakers
Welcome image
Andrew Palcan
Project Manager, Helm Group | Chair, MCAA Career Development Committee
14:45 - 15:45 (CST)
Different Paths to Mechanical Panel Regency Ballroom

Moderated by Anne Finerfrock

Ever wonder how someone lands with a career in mechanical contracting? Did they come from the trades? Go to college specifically with a specialized construction degree in mind? Twist and turn down 3 or 4 different paths before finally stumbling upon mechanical?  This panel will follow three very different paths that all led to successful careers in mechanical contracting.

Spoiler Alert – no matter your path to get here, you can find your great future and explore your passions with mechanical contracting!  

Speakers
Different Paths to Mechanical Panel image
Anne Finerfrock
Vice President, W.E. Bowers
Different Paths to Mechanical Panel image
Scott Hinton
Vice President, Harrell-Fish, Inc.
Different Paths to Mechanical Panel image
Sabrina Pavlova
Project Manager/Estimator, Springfield Engineering Company
Different Paths to Mechanical Panel image
Kurt Voss
Vice President Engineering, Integrated Facility Services
15:45 - 16:00 (CST)
Trivia Announcement Regency Ballroom

Work together with your school over the course of GFF23 to answer trivia-style questions related to mechanical contracting.  Topics will range from resources to help your team with the MCAA Student Chapter Competition (WebLEM, Porcore, Trimble) to historical construction facts, and even a few hidden easter eggs that will be mentioned throughout the conference.

Speakers
Trivia Announcement image
Ryan Manuel
Assistant Professor of Practice, Purdue University
Trivia Announcement image
Shannon Nicklaus
Professor, Pittsburg State University
Trivia Announcement image
Marie Patterson
Chair of Construction Management, California State University – Chico
16:00 - 16:15 (CST)
Break
  • Sponsored by:
  • CNA
16:15 - 17:15 (CST)
Handling Sticky Situations with Business Etiquette Regency Ballroom

Learn how business etiquette and manners are fundamental to building better relationships in the workplace with your co-workers and how they relate to your long-term career success. Discover business etiquette through real-life examples and the most common business manner mistakes, plus how to avoid them in order to be remembered for all the right reasons.

Speakers
Handling Sticky Situations with Business Etiquette image
Krista Ebbens
General Counsel and EVP-HR & Marketing, J.F Ahern Co.
17:15 - 18:15 (CST)
Dinner Regency Ballroom
  • Sponsored by:
  • Copeland
18:15 - 18:30 (CST)
Break
  • Sponsored by:
  • CNA
18:30 - 19:30 (CST)
Keep Your Eyes Open: How Wonder Can Change Everything Regency Ballroom
  • Sponsored by:
  • Harris Company

What if the real secret to unlimited creativity and innovation had everything to do with how you use your imaginationIt’s a common myth that imagination is something children readily use, but then we don’t need it as we grow upWhat if that wasn’t the caseHarris III will make you aware of the dark side of your imagination, how it’s being misused and wasted, and how to tap into an unlimited potential to create and innovate by reawakening that child-like wonder.

Speakers
Keep Your Eyes Open: How Wonder Can Change Everything image
Harris III
Award-Winning Illusionist
19:30 - 20:30 (CST)
Mechanical Playground & Late-Night Snacks Vue Rooftop Ballroom
  • Sponsored by:
  • J. F. Ahern Co.

Late-Night Snacks Sponsored by J.F. Ahern Co.

Get ready to go hands-on with mechanical contracting!  Touch, feel and learn about the tools, processes and equipment used in our industry that mechanical contractors encounter every day on the jobsite or stumble upon back in the far corners of their shop.  Spin the wheel to see how fast you are at identifying various fittings, search through a typical plumber tool bag for the proper tool for a particular project, or feel the difference between various types of valves, couplings and pipe materials. 

Don’t forget to swing by the late-night snack station for a throw-back to playground munchies, including a favorite frozen treat – snow cones!

07:15 - 07:30 (CST)
Job Fair Prep & Internship Guide Best Practices (For Employers) Regency Ballroom

All employers should gather briefly to review the unique procedures for the Job Fair, as well as to explore helpful MCAA resources such as the GreatFutures Job Board, how to submit an Internship Grant, and to walk through the Internship Guide.   This new guide is packed full of how to’s and information on where to start if your company hasn’t previously employed an intern Be sure to check out the Hot Sauce List for a task-based chart of intern projects that meets the student where they are vs. typical listings that base projects on their academic year.

Speakers
Job Fair Prep & Internship Guide Best Practices (For Employers) image
John Ziemann
Executive Vice President, Mollenberg-Betz, Inc.
07:30 - 07:45 (CST)
Job Fair Prep (For Student Attendees) Regency Ballroom

All students should gather briefly before the Job Fair doors open for a quick-hit session of tips and tricks on networking, specifically geared towards the job fair environment.

Speakers
Job Fair Prep (For Student Attendees) image
Michael Evans
Talent Training, MILWAUKEE TOOL
07:45 - 09:15 (CST)
Job Fair and Breakfast Executive Ballroom
  • Sponsored by:
  • Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association of Milwaukee

This is not your traditional job fairColor-coded identifiers will be distributed to signify if you’re looking for (or offering) an internship, full-time job, or if you’re just there for the baconMingle and move your way through delicious breakfast stations, share contact info via your name badge QR code and find your employment match in this fun and relaxed environmentA breakout room will also be available for employers who are looking to have a full on-site interview.

Students – Please wear your GreatFutures shirt that will be provided at registration.  

Employers – Please wear a shirt with your company logo on it.

  • We will not be utilizing stationary booths.  Please do not bring trinkets or handouts.
09:15 - 09:30 (CST)
Break
  • Sponsored by:
  • CNA
09:30 - 10:35 (CST)
Confidence for Breakthrough Changes Regency Ballroom

Thank you to MCAA WiMI for sponsoring this session.

Introduction with Stacy Johnson

What if there was a specific (and tested) formula for facilitating breakthrough changesWould you have the relentless consistency to build the habits to make those changesBy embracing the things that no one else wants to do and pushing through previously envisioned limitations, this session will deliver real-world skills for gaining the confidence to achieve the things you didn’t know where possible.

Speakers
Confidence for Breakthrough Changes image
David Nurse
Mindset Coach
Confidence for Breakthrough Changes image
Stacy Johnson
Auburn Mechanical, Inc. | Chair, MCAA Women in the Mechanical Industry
10:35 - 10:45 (CST)
Break
  • Sponsored by:
  • CNA
10:45 - 11:30 (CST)
Competition Skills Stations Regency Ballroom

Select 4 out of the 6 stations to dive deeper into competition topics that were hand selected by our first-round judges.

Introduction with Krista Ebbens, General Counsel and EVP-HR & Marketing, J.F Ahern Co.
Estimating

What it should look like, quantity, price, direct vs indirect, and labor listing


Sarabeth Gandara
Preconstruction Manager, U.S. Engineering Construction


Justin Blackledge
Project Manager, The Waldinger Corporation

Surety/Bonds

Surety letter, bonds, plus places to double check your math and consistency


Douglas Bolton
Sr. Project Manager, Arden Engineering


Shannon Nicklaus
Professor, Pittsburg State University

Backlog/Financial Statements

What is backlog and how to show it with logical financial statements.


Kurt Voss
Vice President Engineering, Integrated Facility Services


Ryan Manuel
Assistant Professor of Practice, Purdue University

Permits & Subs

What are the basics to include / not include and how do you find this info?


Anne Finerfrock
Vice President, W.E. Bowers


Sabrina Pavlova
Project Manager/Estimator, Springfield Engineering Company

Roles & Responsibilities

How to list project roles and responsibilities, a staffing matrix, an organization chart and team resumes


John Ziemann
Executive Vice President, Mollenberg-Betz, Inc.


Vincent Eckerson
Vice President of Operations, ARISTA Air Conditioning Corporation

Judge Pet Peeves

Follow instructions (easy items), how to be innovative beyond standard practices in 2023 and the difference between how things are used vs explaining what something is.


Michael Russo
Chief Operations Officer, Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corp.


Matt Miller
Purchasing Buyer, Binsky & Snyder

10:45 - 11:30 (CST)
Faculty Advisor/Industry Advisor Meeting Milwaukee Room
Speakers
Faculty Advisor/Industry Advisor Meeting image
Andrew Palcan
Project Manager, Helm Group | Chair, MCAA Career Development Committee
11:30 - 11:45 (CST)
Break
  • Sponsored by:
  • CNA
11:45 - 12:30 (CST)
2023-2024 Competition Introduction Regency Ballroom

Student chapter competition details will be reviewed, plus time will be available for Q&A.

Speakers
2023-2024 Competition Introduction image
Scott Hinton
Vice President, Harrell-Fish, Inc.
2023-2024 Competition Introduction image
Jason Steele
VDC Manager, MMC Contractors
2023-2024 Competition Introduction image
Chris Hutchings
President, MMC Contractors National, Inc.
12:30 - 13:30 (CST)
Lunch Buffet Regency Ballroom
  • Sponsored by:
  • Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
13:30 - 14:10 (CST)
Chapter President Meeting Milwaukee Room
Speakers
Chapter President Meeting image
Andrew Palcan
Project Manager, Helm Group | Chair, MCAA Career Development Committee
13:30 - 14:15 (CST)
Trivia Work Time Regency Ballroom
14:15 - 14:30 (CST)
MILWAUKEE TOOL Tour Information Regency Ballroom

Review of safety guidelines and tour logisticsPlease be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.

Speakers
MILWAUKEE TOOL Tour Information image
Jon Finch
SVP of Talent, MILWAUKEE TOOL
14:30 - 14:45 (CST)
Break & Bus Loading
14:45 - 15:15 (CST)
Bus Ride to MILWAUKEE TOOL
15:30 - 17:30 (CST)
Tour of MILWAUKEE TOOL

MILWAUKEE TOOL was founded in 1924 by A.H. Peterson, who created the first one-handed portable drill for the Ford Motor Company. Now

MILWAUKEE has grown to 28 locations and 21,000 teammates globally (including 270 US-based interns annually).  Specifically, the Brookfield location is 800K sq feet and houses everything from Engineering to Marketing to Talent Learning.

Our Tour will highlight how manufacturers develop their people and cultures to best serve the mechanical trades. We will take a behind-the-scenes tour of how Milwaukee brings innovative product solutions to life through engineering and product development.

17:45 - 18:15 (CST)
Bus Ride to Harley-Davidson Museum
18:15 - 20:45 (CST)
Harley-Davidson Museum and Dinner Harley-Davidson Museum
  • Sponsored by:
  • Victaulic

Dinner Sponsored by Victaulic

Dine on a buffet of local Milwaukee favorites along the Milwaukee Riverfront and enjoy a stroll through the one and only Harley-Davidson Museum!

20:45 - 21:00 (CST)
Return to Hotel
07:00 - 07:45 (CST)
Breakfast & Submit Trivia (by 7:45 AM) Regency Ballroom
  • Sponsored by:
  • DeWALT

Breakfast Sponsored by DEWALT

Make sure your team submits your trivia answers by 7:45 AM.

07:45 - 08:00 (CST)
Robert Beck Presidential Message Regency Ballroom
Speakers
Robert Beck Presidential Message image
Robert Beck
CEO, John W. Danforth Company | MCAA President
08:00 - 08:45 (CST)
Sustainability Panel
Moderated by John Koontz

Listen in for a panel discussion on a topic specifically requested by your Student Chapter PresidentsLearn how sustainability applies to mechanical contracting and about the potential areas for the greatest impact now and in the future.

Speakers
Sustainability Panel image
John Koontz
Director of Project Management Education, MCAA
Sustainability Panel image
Marie Patterson
Chair of Construction Management, California State University – Chico
Sustainability Panel image
Michael Russo
Chief Operations Officer, Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corp.
Sustainability Panel image
Kevin Stoddard
Director of Preconstruction, U.S. Engineering Construction
08:45 - 09:00 (CST)
Break
  • Sponsored by:
  • CNA
09:00 - 10:15 (CST)
Building Your Chapter Roundtables Regency Ballroom

Get ready to move around the room, connect with fellow students and discuss best practices for building your student chapter.

Speakers
Building Your Chapter Roundtables image
Andrew Palcan
Project Manager, Helm Group | Chair, MCAA Career Development Committee
10:15 - 10:45 (CST)
Trivia Answers & Prizes Regency Ballroom

Trivia questions that stumped the crowd will be reviewed and explained by three of our Career Development Committee Members who also happen to be professorsThe winning team will receive $1,000!

Speakers
Trivia Answers & Prizes image
Ryan Manuel
Assistant Professor of Practice, Purdue University
Trivia Answers & Prizes image
Shannon Nicklaus
Professor, Pittsburg State University
Trivia Answers & Prizes image
Marie Patterson
Chair of Construction Management, California State University – Chico
10:45 - 11:00 (CST)
Final Wrap-Up & Survey
12:00 (CST)
Hotel Checkout
Select date to see events.