President's Message - Dec '23

Ah, the holiday season! Such a special time… and the end of my term as President of MBCEA. Next month, Robert Tiffin takes the helm. I am proud of what we have accomplished but know there is always so much more to do. Robert will have his hands full, but he is more than capable. And, he has a strong team in Sasha, Britain, and Jackie.

I look forward to being able to focus on our curriculum for metal building assembly while Robert runs the Association. I have every confidence he will be a better leader than I was – he’s a natural. Speaking of the curriculum - that project is ongoing and making progress. We kicked off Standing Seam Roofs and Wall Sheeting with two fabulous project teams - Thank you: Wes Young, Behlen, Aaron Rose, Sure Steel, Dan Mosley and Seth Collins, Dunn, Dave Leinbach, Kaiser-Martin, Chris Renninger, S&S Structures, and Nickolaas Kriek, Steelworx.

We understand not everyone can devote time to committee work, but there are other ways to support this project. The MBI is a 501c3 tax exempt organization. You can make a tax-deductible investment in the future of our industry by clicking here to Donate Now.

Training videos are a frequent subject at our committee meetings - who has good ones? Who has them in Spanish? Who is being clever about the way they create them? Who is using drones to capture the best angle? Please respond to the poll in the newsletter with a quick yes or no; you don't need to enter any info, just click the button - technology is wonderful! Full disclosure, if you say yes, you may hear from me in the New Year!

I want to give a special shout out to Varco Pruden. They have created micro videos for their roof details and other assembly procedures and put them on YouTube so anyone erecting a VP building has access to video training. Seth Collins from Dunn Building Systems then linked the micro videos to a QR code and embedded the QR code with the respective detail in their field drawings. It’s a pretty amazing use of technology and I look forward to seeing the next cool thing manufacturers and erectors come up with.

While we are on the subject of training, did you know the MBMA has an AIA-Approved course: Creative Design Alternatives Using Metal Buildings. This course qualifies AIA-member attendees for 1.0 LU/HSW CEUs.

This course is a PowerPoint designed for use as a lunch-and-learn at architectural firms or local AIA chapters. It also includes a script for the presenter. These are fabulous tools available to members that have an opportunity to present locally to architects. There is information in the Members Area – Architect Resources or you can follow up directly with Tony Bouquot. If you have been following my messages the last few months, we need to reframe the reputation and perception of our industry to the design community. I urge you to take advantage of this program and make a difference at the local level.

My last duty as President is to remind you to renew your membership, if you have not already done so. There is no better value for money than the MBCEA! 

On behalf of all the MBCEA board and team, I wish you a safe and happy holiday and a prosperous New Year!

Regards,

Jen Heimburger

President, MBCEA

President, Heimburger Construction, Inc.