There’s one more good reason why this is, in my book, the best time of year. When you are editor-in-chief of this fine publication, you get to see and review all of the entrants in The News’ “Best Contractor To Work For” contest.
Yeah, I’m glad it’s over. I’m glad The News has put to bed a very special supplement, which subscribers will receive — free of charge — with the November 11 issue. Next week look for our tribute to the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2003.
And here I thought I was going to go to Las Vegas to forget about life’s problems for a while. Well, ever since arriving at Caesars Palace to report on the proceedings of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association’s (SMACNA’s) 2002 annual convention, things have been … well … not necessarily encouraging.
That James Bergmann is something else. Bergmann, the HVACR Instructor at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (located outside of Cleveland, OH) was present on Oct. 14 for the first-ever Workforce Recruitment and Retention Summit, hosted by The News and Oakland Schools (Oakland County, MI).
As I’ve said here many times, readers of The News produce some great Feedback letters. Steve Johnston, of Johnston Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning, is no exception. “It’s time to take a new look at a growing problem in the HVACR industry,” wrote Johnston.
It’s no secret that the Feedback section is one of the best-read departments in The News. That’s because everyone has an opinion; contractors who offer their feedback are not afraid to pass along suggestions and voice their opinions — good or bad, indifferent or irreverent.
Michael Senter recalls that morning all too vividly. It’s noticeable in his voice and his eyes. The CEO of ABCO Refrigeration remembers watching the horror unfold before him while standing outside his company’s Long Island City headquarters, located in Queens, just across the East River from midtown Manhattan.
Bring up the subject of teaching to James Bergmann and watch out. The second-year HVACR instructor at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (located outside of Cleveland, OH) will give you an earful, ten times over. And, for the most part, it will be all positive and upbeat talk.
Voted “Best Amusement Park in the World” by Amusement Today for four years in a row, Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH, is about sharing family fun and surviving daring rides. But Monty Jasper, vice president of Maintenance and Construction, has a different perspective.
Imagine that. A manufacturer actually listened to a few contractors. What’s next? Engineers and architects exchanging ideas and thoughts and agreeing on concepts before a building is constructed?