Education

SCI Special Contractor Institute

Driven by the MEP Alliance

Mission

To engage members in education that stimulates personal development and career advancement.

Vision

To be the industry leader in lifelong learning and community engagement.

Continuing Education
Skills and Training That Will Set You Apart

Project Management

Coming Fall 2021!

Coming Fall 2021!

Coming Fall 2021!

Project Management

Field Leadership

Check back for upcoming classes

Check back for upcoming classes

Check back for upcoming classes

Field Leadership

Mechanical Service

Check back for upcoming classes

Check back for upcoming classes

Check back for upcoming classes

Mechanical Service

Leadership Access

Open Applications

Leadership Access Institute 20/21 – Registration Closed

Leadership Access

National Education

National Education

Resources

Company-Wide Training

Company-Wide Training

COMING SOON

Lunch & Learn

Lunch & Learn

COMING SOON

OUR FACULTY

Lisa Austin

Lisa Austin is the founder of The Service Factor, a Denver based corporate training company. She has been developing and delivering custom workshops for over 20 years with a special emphasis on Customer Service, Employee Engagement, and Effective Communication. Prior to opening The Service Factor, Lisa was a senior trainer for a large mutual fund company where she was instrumental at dealing with the challenges and frustrations faced in the fast changing business world. For the past eleven years she has been the lead trainer for elite HVAC companies across the country. She is a seasoned professional and her enthusiasm and energy make for a highly motivational and interactive workshop.

Lisa is certified by The Bob Pike Institute on Creative Training Techniques and is also a certified Telephone Doctor Customer Service Trainer. She is an active member of The Alliance of Professional Women, ASTD, and the local chapter of ICSA.

Lisa Austin Local Instructor

Richard Barnes

Richard Barnes is President of C. Richard Barnes & Associates, LLC, a labor relations consulting firm which provides representation, dispute resolution services, dispute resolution systems design, workforce training and development and leadership coaching to a cross-section of industry, labor, private, public and service organizations, both nationally and internationally. Throughout both public and private sectors, Richard is an internationally recognized mediator, facilitator, skills trainer and speaker. He serves as the facilitator for the Construction Users Roundtable’s (CURT) Tripartite Initiative, an unprecedented forum of construction industry leaders from the owner’s community, national trade organizations and organized labor. In addition, Richard is routinely called upon as a mediator in multi-party commercial disputes. His esteemed career includes serving as Executive Director of the Center for the Workplace at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, and as a Federal Mediator with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). Richard was appointed by President Clinton as the 14th Director of FMCS, and was then confirmed by the U.S. Senate, becoming the first career mediator in FMCS history to receive both the Presidential Appointment and Senate Confirmation – a testament to his vast experience in labor management relations, strategic negotiations and dispute resolution processes.

Richard Barnes National Instructor

Kurt Bocim

Kurt is the Director of Operations for Tolin Mechanical Systems based in Denver, CO. Kurt brings 34 years of management and leadership experience in the Mechanical Service industry in a wide array of disciplines including; service, project and facility management, service maintenance and project sales. Kurt has a passion for the union mechanical trades.

Kurt Bocim Local Instructor

Bob Brunson

Bob Brunson is currently the President of U.S. Engineering Metalworks, LLC and has been with U.S. Engineering Company for more than 40 years. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Colorado State University, Bob played various operational roles including project manager, chief estimator, regional vice president and chief operating officer. Through much of his career Bob has been directly involved in contract negotiations, risk management strategies and claims on mechanical construction projects of all types and sizes. Bob understands the critical need for arming procurement and operations personnel with a working knowledge of contract law and methods of avoiding litigation.

Bob Brunson Local Instructor

Dave Davia

Dave Davia is a passionate leader with a diverse background in public and private organizations. He has a strong track record of accomplishments in strategic partnerships, government relations, process development, coalition building, business and legislative analysis, collective bargaining, public policy and association management. Currently Dave serves as the executive vice president of the Colorado Association of Mechanical and Plumbing Contractors.

Dave Davia Local Instructor

Kevin Dougherty

Kevin has been a speaker in the construction industry for more than 20 years. He represents a changing industry — aggressive, realistic, and open-minded. Kevin’s work experiences and education enable him to
relate to today’s problems and provide tangible solutions in an easy-to-listen-to style. He has taught thousands of people in various seminars. His client base ranges from family-owned businesses to corporate conglomerates. In addition to speaking and writing articles, Kevin has served as a sales manager and corporate trainer for a multi-million-dollar mechanical contractor and specialty services contractor.

Kevin Dougherty National Instructor

Greg Friess

Greg Friess is a mechanical engineer and holds his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Cleveland State University. Greg brings 24 years of construction experience, ranging from sales, estimating, pre-construction, operations and project management. Most of his experience is related to work acquisition, working with contractors, owners, engineers and architects to provide solutions on large complex projects up to $180 million. Greg has led project teams, as well as estimating groups throughout his career – working in markets in Cleveland, Tampa and Denver.

Greg Friess Local Instructor

Leah Gutmann

Leah Gutmann, owner of First Forward Consulting, specializes in a wide variety of training, program development, and consulting services including communications, leadership, emotional intelligence, train-the-trainer, and finance. She has over 10 years of experience in the design, implementation and facilitation of educational programs, classes and seminars. Her 20-year career as a CFO and Finance Manager in the mechanical construction industry has given Leah the unique ability to offer training and consulting from a hands-on, in the trenches perspective. Leah has been involved in developing and delivering a wide variety of programs at all levels of an organization from executive level leaders to field employees and supervisors. Leah is a certified instructor for Fierce Conversations and Fierce Accountability & Feedback, Fierce Generations, and Fierce Negotiations. Leah also holds certifications for Training Program Design, DISC, Emotional Intelligence, and Leadership Acceleration (LEAP). Through these highly effective programs Leah has found ways to give practical communication and leadership tools to participants who can take what they have learned and immediately apply them on the job and in the field.

Leah Gutmann National Instructor

Michael Fullman

Michael Fullman is a Project Manager for Olson Plumbing & Heating. Michael has 25 years of experience in the Mechanical and Plumbing industry including multi-residential, hospitality, government, commercial buildings, healthcare and data center applications.  He understands the value of the design assist approach and the importance of LEED in today’s projects. Michael is a LEED Accredited Professional (USGBC) and a graduate of the UA Local 290 Plumbing Apprenticeship Program in Portland, Oregon.

Michael Fullman Project Manager for Olson Plumbing & Heating

Gary Arnold

Gary Arnold has been Business Manager of UA Pipefitters Local 208 since 2017 and a member of the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee since 2008. He has worked to enhance recruitment, training, and retention of pipefitting apprentices. Gary formed the Women in the Trades Committee in addition to the Apprenticeship Student Council. He develops educational standards, curriculum, operations, and funding to improve apprenticeship training, journeymen continuing education, and specialized training programs. He has 8 years of experience as a JATC Instructor and 3 years as Head Training Coordinator. Gary’s career includes 14+ years of experience as an industrial/ commercial pipefitter, supporting expansion projects for Amgen Biotechnology Company, FedEx, Miller-Coors, and Breckenridge Brewery. He earned 6 awards during his apprenticeship, including the UA International contest for welding. Gary’s leadership of educational efforts in the trade has earned him several appointments by state and city leaders, including a 3-year appointment by the Governor of Colorado in 2019 to the Business Experiential Learning Commission, in which he guides development of a youth apprenticeship program for multiple industry sectors.

Gary Arnold Business Manager of UA Pipefitters Local 208

Clay Daniels

Clay Daniels is president of US Engineering Service. Clay joined US Engineering in 2010 as a large construction project manager after serving more than 10 years in the Army and five years in special forces. He served as a project manager at US Engineering for 3 years before transitioning into his current position. Clay attended the United States Military Academy at West Point where he played varsity football and graduated in 2000. Clay holds an MBA from the Bloch School of Business at UMKC.

Clay Daniels President of US Engineering Service

Todd Fredrickson

Todd Fredrickson is a partner in the Denver office of Fisher Phillips. He also serves as Chair of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusiveness Committee. His practice involves representing employers in various matters arising under such laws as Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA),

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), and Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA). He also practices traditional labor law, representing employers in union campaigns, contract negotiations, grievance arbitrations and unfair labor practice charges. Todd advises employers on developing and enforcing proper policies, employee handbooks, employment and compensation agreements, and on compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws. Much of his practice focuses on training supervisors, managers, and other employees on such issues as sexual harassment, discrimination, employee discipline and discharge, and investigation of employee grievances.

Todd Fredrickson Partner in the Denver office of Fisher Phillips

Mike Harrington

Mike Harrington, P.E., Senior Application Engineer for CFM Company, has been
in the HVAC industry for nearly 20 years. He has extensive industry experience
in commercial and industrial control systems as an integration contractor, commissioning agent, specifying engineer, and equipment representative. Mike graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a B.S. in Engineering with Mechanical Specialty and business economics minor. He is proficient with sequence of operations, the integration of equipment and multiple protocols. Mike is familiar working in hospitals, research, animal, and teaching laboratory facilities, the education market from K-12 through universities, and high rise office buildings across the continent. He served as the ASHRAE Rocky Mountain Chapter President 2015-2016, during his time in chapter leadership, the chapter was the first to surpass $100,000 in research promotion collections.

Mike Harrington P.E., Senior Application Engineer for CFM

Duane Kiefer

Duane Kiefer joined U.S. Engineering Construction in the role of Mechanical Systems Coordinator after 20 years in the temperature controls industry. During that time, Duane worked his way up from programmer to technician and project manager
and sales engineer. From start to finish, Duane works with preconstruction teams

to ensure submittals and control sequences are produced in a manner that meets
the needs of a project and ensures proper operation of the building automation system through start-up and commissioning. Duane received his Bachelor’s Degree in Geological Engineering from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks and attended the United States Naval Nuclear Power School.

Duane Kiefer Mechanical Systems Coordinator

Dan Klimek

Dan Klimek is the owner and principle of Klimek Consulting, an S-corporation which offers custom freelance safety, training and environmental services. Dan holds a BS degree in industrial education and a master’s degree in industrial safety, both from the University of Minnesota. Over the years, Dan has worked with companies in several different industries on various projects such as safety program development and related safety training; field audits of work crews and conformance to work and safety standards; and workers’ compensation claims review strategies.

Dan Klimek Owner and Principle of Klimek Consulting

John Koontz

John Koontz, MCAA’s national director for project management and advanced supervisory education, brings a balance of academic and practical experience to his courses. A former tenured associate professor in Purdue University’s Department of Building Construction Management, he served as Purdue’s mechanical construction management coordinator. He has been teaching since 1992. Prior to this, he spent 15 years in the employment of MCAA contractors in a variety of positions including senior project manager, project manager, project engineer, and estimator. Professor Koontz is the director of the MCAA Institute for Project Management and Advanced Institute for Project Management at the University of Texas in Austin.

John Koontz National Director for Project Management and Advanced Supervisory Education

Matt Maurio

Matt Maurio Is a senior project manager with Murphy Company based in Denver, Colorado. He received a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management from Colorado State University in 2009 and has been with Murphy Company since graduation. Matt has been through the MCAA Institute for Project Management and the MCAA Advanced Institute for Project Management in Austin, TX. As a senior project manager for the Quick Response team at Murphy Company Matt is involved in customer relations, sales, estimating, project pre-planning, subcontractor management, project documentation, project closeout, leading other project teams and direct project management.

Matt Maurio Senior Project Manager at Murphy Company

John C. Marlow

John C. Marlow, PE, DBIA, LEED AP has worked in the mechanical contracting industry for over 25 years and is an associate vice president at U.S. Engineering Company. Throughout his career, John has worked in many aspects of the business including project management, estimating, and operations, to his most recent role in project development. John was an adjunct professor at Colorado State University teaching students in the construction management department about mechanical contracting (2007-2009) and has been a member of the MCAA Project Managers Education Committee since 2006.

John C. Marlow PE, DBIA, LEED AP

Gary Meggison

Gary Meggison holds professional degrees in civil engineering and business administration from the University of Colorado, Denver. He has acquired an impressive list of professional credentials in the commercial construction industry, with well over 100 completed commercial, multi-family, institutional, industrial and health-care developments over the past 40 years. He is especially proficient in assignments involving program management, project development, financial planning and preconstruction services, contract negotiations, construction administration and quality control services.

Gary Meggison Civil Engineering and Business Administration from the University of Colorado

Ky Oday

Ky Oday is a Utah State University graduate with a degree in public relations and a minor in marketing. He most recently served as Coordinator of Student Diversity for Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. Ky led the team responsible for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training and objectives for CMU including faculty, staff, students and community. Ky’s lifelong passion for bringing people together has placed him in many leadership positions throughout his life. From Little League coach to high school football coach, Ky has always valued giving back to our community. His personal and professional experiences provide a unique and valuable perspective on DEI.

Ky Oday Coordinator of Student Diversity for Colorado Mesa University

Dennis Pettitt

Dennis Pettitt, is a volunteer adjunct professor at Colorado State University teaching mechanical project management and introduction into the mechanical industry. Dennis has 47 years experience in the mechanical industry working
on and overseeing major projects throughout the United States. Some of the more notable projects include Potsdam University Music Complex, Walter Reed Hospital, launch pad 39B at Cape Canaveral, IBM class 10 clean room, Delco Electronics class 100 cleanroom, One Mellon Bank Center 64 story office building, UCI Cancer Clinic, Bronco’s stadium and the Pepsi Center.

Dennis Pettitt Volunteer Adjunct Professor at Colorado State University

Sean Pettitt

Sean Pettitt, LEED AP, is a senior estimator with Murphy Company based out of Denver, Colorado. He received a bachelor’s degree in humanities from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2002 and began his career in mechanical contracting in 2003. His professional focus is preconstruction and plumbing/HVAC estimating and has a background in project documentation, ISO 9000/9001, LEED documentation, operations, and project management.

Sean Pettitt Senior Estimator at Murphy Company

Tom Poeling

Tom Poeling is the Director of Quality Assurance with U.S. Engineering Construction, and has over 25 years of industry experience with a background in energy efficiency and building commissioning. His passion to deliver high-performance buildings is manifest through the delivery of the company’s quality assurance program. Tom is

a Professional Engineer, a Certified Energy Manager and a Certified Commissioning Professional. In 2019, he will serve as President of the Building Commissioning Association, a nationwide trade organization with a mission to create functional and efficient buildings.

Tom Poeling Director of Quality Assurance with U.S. Engineering Construction

Jim Riddle

Jim Riddle, is a Senior Project Manager with US Engineering in Westminster, Colorado. He has an Associate degree from Salt Lake Community College. Jim started his career in the mechanical industry in 1995 as an apprentice, and has worked in many different capacities from preconstruction to closeout on many different types of projects.

Jim Riddle Senior Project Manager at US Engineering

Carlos Rivera

Carlos Rivera is a Pipefitting Supervisor with US Engineering Metalworks Fabrication shop and a 16 year member of Pipefitters Local Union #208. Throughout his career as a Welder/Pipefitter he gained experience in Jet Fuel Piping systems, Heating and Cooling systems, and Brewery Piping systems. Carlos has been a Certified Instructor for 10 years and enjoys having students learn a valuable skill they can carry on throughout their career. In 2017, he became a Certified Welding Inspector conducting Certified weld tests and being involved in code repairs on Piping and Pressure Vessels.

Carlos Rivera Pipefitting Supervisor at US Engineering

Juan Salazar

Juan Salazar works with Murphy Company as a Pipefitter Superintendent with 23 years of experience in the industry. He completed a five-year UA apprenticeship program with Pipefitter’s Local 208 in Denver, where he went on to become a certified welder in SMAW, GTAW, and orbital welding. As a welder, Juan has had the opportunity to work in powerhouses, refineries, breweries, pharmaceutical plants and semi-conductor facilities. He is also high purity and clean room trained. As a Pipefitter superintendent, Juan has supervised crews at AstraZeneca, Agilent Technologies, Lockheed Martin and is currently at the Miller-Coors Brewing Facility.

He has been a welding instructor for 8 years and completed a 5-year UA Instructor Certification Program. Two years ago, Juan became a Certified Welding Inspector and recently, a Certified Rigger. He is a firm believer in continuing adult education and is honored to help other people change and improve their lives.

Juan Salazar Pipefitter Superintendent at Murphy Company

Jake Schley

Jake Schley was born and raised in Colorado and has been generating mechanical solutions with Local 208 contractors since 1997. Jake is currently in operations with a stellar team that performs service and installation. Jake believes successful teams work together in a fun and safe environment, operate with integrity, and generate strong business results, all while leading customer driven analysis and solutions for sustainability.

Jake Schley Mechanical Solutions at Local 208

Ken Strickler

Ken Strickler has been working for EMCOR companies since 2001, holding positions from Project Engineer to CEO, and everything in between, joining Trautman & Shreve in 2016 as the COO. He holds a B.S. from Eastern Oregon University and an M.S. from Western Washington University. Ken provides a diverse background in mechanical contracting, leading companies in three different markets, involved with complex projects, ranging in size from a couple hundred dollars to contracts in excess of $250 Million, within several industry sectors including government, public works, high-rise hospitality, industrial and commercial, along with others. Although well rounded in every aspect of mechanical contracting, Ken specializes in operations and project execution.

Ken Strickler CEO at EMCOR

Bryan Taylor

Bryan Taylor is President of U.S. Engineering Construction. He joined U.S. Engineering in 1997 shortly after graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in mechanical engineering. He began as a Project Engineer in Colorado before advancing to Project Manager and Senior Project Manager. Bryan relocated to Kansas City in 2009 to assume his current role. A LEED® Accredited Professional, he oversees day-to-day management and direction of the Kansas City Construction division.

Bryan Taylor President of U.S. Engineering

Bradley Vogt

Bradley Vogt is vice president of the Murphy Company’s Colorado operations group, where he has been employed for over 28 years. He holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering, and was an early graduate of the IPM in Austin, Texas. In addition to his current stint leading the operations group in Colorado for the past 6 years, his responsibilities have included piping design, project engineering, and a healthy dose of project management. His strong organizational and communication skills have enabled him to successfully lead teams on projects of virtually every size.

Bradley Vogt Vice President of the Murphy Company’s

Ari Vrohidis

Ari Vrohidis graduated from Colorado School of Mines with a bachelor of science degree in petroleum engineering. He worked as a project engineer in the oil industry, specifically the construction of pipelines and facilities. He now works for
US Engineering as the Project Controls Manager.

Ari Vrohidis Project Controls Manager at US Engineering

Mario Casias

Mario Casias is an Executive Project Manager for U.S. Engineering. He started his construction career in southwest Colorado, building custom homes, and working his way up from laborer to superintendent. In 2012, Mario joined U.S. Engineering in as an intern and quickly gravitated to the mechanical construction industry, becoming a Project Engineer after graduating from the CSU Construction Management Program. Outside of the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife and four children and being in the Colorado mountains dirt biking, fishing and hiking any time the weather allows.

Mario Casias Executive Project Manager at U.S. Engineering

Joshua Uncapher

Joshua Uncapher is TAB Services Vice President / Project Manager & Supervisor to the technicians he has been employed with TAB Services since 1999. Josh has 24 years of experience in the HVAC field with 21 years of experience in the balancing field. Josh holds NEBB & TABB Certificates for Testing and Balancing of Air and Hydronic Systems, at both technician and supervisory levels. Josh also holds certificates at technician and supervisory levels in commissioning, indoor air quality, and fire life safety. Mr. Uncapher is also a Test and Balance and Fire Life Safety instructor for the Colorado Sheet Metal Workers Apprenticeship program.

Joshua Uncapher TAB Services Vice President, Project Manager & Supervisor

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

There was not a single session that I left feeling like my afternoon had been wasted. Every instructor made class enjoyable and worthwhile.

5/5

Through this workshop I have realized my many coaching conversation opportunities in my day to day work. I now have the tool set and road map to be able to have those more challenging conversations.

5/5

This class is good because it involves all areas from the field – service, small projects and large projects. Very good topics and will be helpful for future projects.

5/5