Professional Organizations

Local business owner writes, illustrates children’s book

Raffi’s childhood experiences, creative outlook retold in whimsical metaphor LAS VEGAS – Alex Raffi, local author, artist and business owner, has written and illustrated “The Sound of Laughing Rabbits,” a…

Certifying agency favorably positioned in third-party white paper

Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau only ANSI-accredited program in study FAIRFAX, Va. – The University of California, Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center released a study, “Testing, Adjusting and Balancing HVAC Systems:…

Tale of two cities: reopening sheet metal training centers in 2020

There are more than 140 union sheet metal training centers in the United States and Canada, and they vary in size — from city to rural, a few dozen apprentices…

SMOHIT welcomes new administrative assistant, Abigail Livingston

Abigail Livingston recalls that the start of the COVID-19 pandemic was a strange time to get a new job as administrative assistant for the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT), but…

Local 7 apprentices, leadership help Michigan residents after May flood

While cooped-up residents were getting ready for the first signs of summer, residents of Sanford, Michigan, were picking up the pieces and sweeping away mud and water to see what…

California schools’ indoor air quality the focus of NEMI, UC Davis white paper

Last year, the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) and the University of California, Davis began working on a white paper providing signatory companies a guide to assessing indoor air quality in California…

MGM fire 40th anniversary: The state of fire life safety

Smoke billowed into the blue sky above a 1980-version of the Las Vegas skyline on a crisp Nov. 21 morning. The cloud was coming from the MGM, which is now…

NEMIC recognizes Locals 105, 88 with industry awards

This summer, the National Energy Management Institute Committee (NEMIC) announced its annual Industry Awards, which recognize a local, training center, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association chapter and other sheet metal organizations…

Dan McCallum named executive director of the Funds

The sponsor organizations of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) have selected Dan McCallum…

McGuire named director of research, development and technology for ITI

Minnesota native Ronald McGuire has been named director of research, development and technology for the International Training Institute (ITI). McGuire, a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 10 for 29 years, has been…

Summer road trip challenge shares local history highlights

Henderson Historical Society takes license plate on a tour through town HENDERSON, Nev. –The Henderson Historical Society has set out on a virtual summer road trip challenge to share many…

ITI program helps apprentices access online content throughout pandemic

When the pandemic hit, training centers had to find ways to continue education online for apprentices. While first-year apprentices are assigned an iPad at the beginning of the school year…

When COVID-19 hit, training at Local 105 got creative

Across the country, schools of all types are trying to figure out how to operate while keeping employees and students safe from COVID-19. Training centers — each with their own…

Children’s Growth Awareness Week to focus on growth disorders

The MAGIC Foundation boosts awareness, advocacy Sept. 13-19 CHICAGO – Height is nature’s early warning signal — a potential visual alarm for parents and physicians. Growth can be an overall…

Award recipients recognized at home for safety culture at work

SMOHIT Safety Champions Conference, awards rescheduled for 2021 FAIRFAX, Va. – Although the 2020 Safety Champions Conference and Safety Matters Awards was rescheduled this year due to the pandemic, the Sheet…

American Nevada Company wins elite building honor

TOBY Award among most prestigious in commercial real estate HENDERSON – American Nevada Company was recently presented with The Outstanding Building of the Year (TOBY) Award, presented by the Building…

Path to Washington fire life safety legislation packed with strategy, hard work

When going into any large project, a plan makes life infinitely easier. For years, Steve Musser, business agent for Western Washington Sheet Metal Local 66, was in search of a plan…

Expert in the unconscious helps people of all ages understand pandemic dreams

Vivid and frequently frightening pandemic dreams are a nightly occurrence for many during worldwide stay-at-home orders. Author/dream analyst Patricia Eltinge is helping people nationwide by discussing what those dreams are…

ITI doesn’t miss a beat putting courses online amid isolation orders

On a Friday spring afternoon, participants in the International Training Institute’s Fire Smoke Damper Technician and Fire Life Safety Level 2 for Instructors class played a game of Jeopardy before the end-of-the-week…

Former Nev. attorney general offers 1 million free book downloads

George Chanos provides free copies of “Millennial Samurai” during quarantine LAS VEGAS – Former Nevada Attorney General George Chanos is giving away 1 million free downloads of his newest book,…

SMART MAP peer training brings suicide, substance abuse prevention to members

The SMART Members Assistance Program (MAP) and the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) have been offering trainings to union leadership on the local level for the last three years in a concerted…

Trades Women Build Nations brings union sisters together

More than 2,700 union women — more than 200 sheet metal sisters — and their allies gathered Oct. 4-6 in downtown Minneapolis for Trades Women Build Nations, a meeting of the…

Biannual conference is a true sign of Partners in Progress

The sheet metal Funds were well represented at the Partners in Progress Conference held Feb. 25-26 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The biannual labor-management event brings together SMART (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and…

Local 40 lab video helps educate all to value of fire life safety

Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local Union 40 in Connecticut created its Fire Life Safety lab two years ago to share it with politicians, fire officials and other Sheet Metal, Air, Rail…

Fifth annual Safety Champions Conference set for March

The Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) plans to host the 2020 Safety Champions Conference March 22-24 at the Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio, 420 W. Market St. The conference continues SMOHIT’s…

California sheet metal veteran makes mentorship a priority

Once on the dentist track, Bob Dak’s career has served generations of apprentices CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. – Bob Dak was well on his way to a career in dentistry when…

Indiana apprenticeship focuses on service

Sheet Metal Workers Local 20 training centers in Gary and Evansville, Indiana, are meeting industry demand for more service specialists with new five-year service-specific apprenticeship programs. Sean Webb, who instructs general…

SMART Heroes second location celebrates first graduating class

SMART Heroes Local 9 in Colorado Springs celebrated its first graduating class Oct. 7. Three participants completed a seven-week course to earn the equivalent of their first-year sheet metal apprentice…

Five locals earn Platinum Designation at Eastern Regional Apprenticeship Conference

Mike Harris, program administrator of the International Training Institute (ITI), presented five sheet metal training centers with Platinum Accreditation during the Eastern Regional Apprenticeship Conference this spring. Locals who earned the designation include Local 85 in…

Celebrity Speakers signs world record Everest climber Apa Sherpa

Riveting speaker focuses attention on education, opportunities for his people LAS VEGAS – Bruce Merrin’s Celebrity Speakers Bureau has agreed to represent world record mountaineer and inspirational speaker Apa Sherpa…