SMACNA-KC Association Meeting and JATC Open House - 10/19/2007 SMACNA-KC and the JATC were pleased to present a joint Association Meeting and Open House to host the launch of the Vehicle ID Program and introduce the new logo, “Demand Metal Excellence.” The meeting was held on Friday, October 19, 2007 from 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. at the JATC in Raytown, with lunch catered by Hereford House from 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. This meeting was open to all contractors, general contractors, and various contractor representatives. Representatives from Airgas, Dynamic Fastener, and Galvmet were onsite to introduce themselves and discuss their services.

Sheet Metal Apprentice Completion Ceremony - 10/6/2007 On October 6, 2007 the JATC held their annual completion banquet for apprentices at 6:00 P.M. at the Hilton Garden Inn, with entertainment by DJ David Pyle. Speakers included Introduction by Jay Lind, Apprentice Coordinator; Remarks from Ken Alexander, Business Manager, Local No. 2; Remarks from Arthur Tanner of Tinmaster, Inc. and President of SMACNA-KC. The speakers discussed how technology is continuously changing and that the new apprentices of today are our future leaders; that apprentices add value to the industry and continue to make this a successful industry; and the hope that each new apprentice steps up to the plate and gives back to the industry what it has given to them.   Ken additionally referred to the sentence in the beginning of our Agreement which states, “The parties to this Agreement endorse a basic philosophy of an hour’s work for an hour’s pay.” He talked about how during a Collective Bargaining Agreement year, each side comes together, discusses, and by the end they leave with an agreement, though neither parties are ever entirely happy. But, Ken stressed, no matter what goes on during the Agreement discussions, everything comes back to that first sentence. Following the speakers, apprentices were presented with their certificates.   The Joint Apprentice and Journeyman Training Committee consists of Bob Eslinger, Steve Howerton, and Jim Huffman for Union, and Mike Maginness, Arthur Tanner, and Robert Zahner for Contractors. The Apprentice Coordinator is Jay Lind. Instructors include: Tony Keithley, Roger Verstaete, and Paul VanBeccelaere Full Time; Donald Fannin—Specialty; Ron Gully—Block Class; Dan Gaddis—Service Class; Ken West—Auto-Cad; and Brent Mayhew, Safety Director of SMACNA-KC for Safety Classes. Attendees included: Robert Zahner of A. Zahner Company; Jay Lind of the JATC; Ken Alexander, Greg Chastain, and Bob & Christine Esligner of Local No. 2; Arthur & Beverly Tanner of Tinmaster, Inc.; SMACNA-KC MBA Intern Sang Duong, and more.   Congratulations, Apprentices!   Chad Best Marvin Bland Jonathan Blanton                                                                                    Robert Bond Matthew Breedlove Norman Brisco Mitchell Burks James Campbell Matthew Carmitchel Anthony Carmitchel Damon Chandler Ronnie Crook Chad Foster Robert Gunckle Brian Highfill Stacey Kaufman Thomas Lanfranca Ricky Latta John Maginness John Martin Christopher Mills Charles Minnis Justin Neece James Neuenschwander Jeffrey Ruch Kenny Sands James Smith William Stubbs Click here to view Photos!