ABC Names Ohio Mason Professional of the Year

WASHINGTON - Associated Builders and Contractors presented its Craft Professional of the Year award to Cris Coy, masonry foreman at Thomas & Marker Construction Co. in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

ABC presents the award each year to a craft professional who excels in his or her field, maintains a lifelong commitment to training and upholds the merit shop philosophy.

"Cris Coy's dedication to excellence in the craft of masonry and to the merit shop philosophy, along with his inspiring jobsite leadership, made him an outstanding choice for this year's award," said 2004 ABC National Chair Carole L. Bionda, vice president of Napa-based Nova Group Inc.

Coy serves as crew foreman for Thomas & Marker nd acts as a mentor to train apprentices and other masons working for the firm. He is multi-skilled in concrete work, steel erection and masonry. Coy has continued his safety and leadership education by completing numerous training courses.

Coy is active in community service, having helped plan and participate in annual construction projects for missions in Central and South America.

He has worked in the construction industry since graduating from Ohio Hi-Point Joint Vocational School in 1982.

The ABC Craft Professional of the Year winner is selected from seven regional winners. The regional winners are evaluated on several clear criteria, with the top candidates being chosen to represent their respective regions. The criteria upon which candidates were judged includes: the candidate's mastery of job-related skills, jobsite and safety performance record, leadership, professionalism, community and industry service, personal motivation, credentials, commitment to the merit construction philosophy and recognition by others for the candidate's excellence in craft skills and teamwork to complete projects successfully.

Michael Cullinane Elected Senior VP, Treasurer of MCAA

ROCKVILLE, Md. - The Mechanical Contractors Association of America Inc. has elected Michael Cullinane as senior vice president and treasurer during the association's 115th convention in Walt Disney World, Fla. The event was held Feb. 29 to March 4 and drew 2,300 attendees.

"It's a real honor to be elected, especially as I come from a comparatively small mechanical contracting company," Cullinane said. More than half of the member companies in our association would be considered 'small,' so I hope to be representative of that sector."

Cullinane is president/comptroller of Bert C. Young & Sons Corp. in Bellwood, Ill. He is active in the association on both national and local levels.

At the national level, he serves on the Board of Directors and the Association Executive Council Marketing Committee. He is a past chairman of the Industry Improvement Funds Committee and has served on the Advanced Leadership Institute Committee.

At the local level, he is secretary and a past president of the MCA of Chicago, where he also serves on the Apprentice, Government Affairs, and Meetings & Events committees. In addition, he is a trustee for the Piping Education Council and Pipefitters Local 597's 401(k) plan, and is past president of the Chicagoland Better Heating & Cooling Council.

MCAA serves the needs of more than 2,200 firms involved in heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing, piping, and mechanical service. MCAA includes the Mechanical Service Contractors of America, the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau and the Plumbing Contractors of America.