New MBCEA President Looks Ahead to 2026

by David Flaherty | 29 January 2026 7:16 pm

Since this is the State of the Industry edition of Metal Construction News, it seems appropriate to report on the State of the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA). I am David Leinbach of Kaiser-Martin Group, and I am just beginning my two-year term as president. Joining me this year are Bryan Harshbarger of Briner Building, ably serving as vice-president; Dave Tomchak of Bay Insulation Systems, as treasurer; and Steven Hudgins of Rainwater Construction, as secretary. We have a fabulous board of directors comprised of contractors, erectors, and suppliers representing all facets of the industry. We are very competently supported by our wonderful executive director, Sasha Demyan[1], and her team.

I am pleased to report that the association just completed a five-year strategic plan that will serve MBCEA well as it grows both numerically and geographically. Below are the highlights of the plan.

Organization

The association agreed to expand the board so that it has a robust representation of the members with documented processes, SOPs, and succession plans. We remained focused on driving value for members.

Finance

The association is financially sound and will continue to make strategic investments in ideas/programs that are meaningful to members. Our National Conference[2], MBCEA training curriculum, and AC478 accreditation are perfect examples of these investments. Behind the scenes, we are transitioning from an annual budget process to a three-year look-ahead and evaluating our vendor partners for key services, including legal counsel, insurance, and financial Advisor.

Quality Initiative AC478

We continue to prioritize this program as the best way to improve our industry and trade from the ground up. The accreditation is prioritizing alliances with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) local chapters and working with manufacturers to recommend and ultimately require AC478. This is a long game, but it does begin with you. Accreditation establishes an industry standard to identify those players doing the right thing and are committed to safety, training, and quality. I challenge every contractor and erector member to consider AC478: attend a webinar or roundtable, speak with an accredited colleague, or reach out to MBCEA for more information. CHANGE Begins with YOU.

Membership and marketing

I am pleased to report membership is at an all-time high with 90 percent retention rates. We continue to drill down on attracting and retaining new members, while fine-tuning the application and review process. The MBCEA National Conference continues to set the bar for what a successful conference should be. This year, we are in Colorado Springs with a focus on management. Speakers and educational tracks have been carefully curated to help members improve their businesses. Next year, we are changing it up with an exciting new format that is sure to please. Stay tuned for more information.

Training and education

MBCEA is supplying the subject matter experts and structure to a new training program that will revolutionize our industry. This MBI/NCCER initiative will deliver a new training program that is both comprehensive enough to qualify as a formal apprenticeship and robust enough to produce craftworkers skilled in the unique needs of metal buildings.

Safety and building quality will be emphasized in every module. The program will be available in Spanish and English. It will not rely on outdated textbooks and methods of learning, but will be presented in a sleek, new online format. Conference attendees will be among the first to see, and possibly test drive, this exciting new program.

Chapters

The MBCEA has always believed the true strength of our network was best demonstrated in active chapters. We continue to support and encourage chapter development, while simultaneously bolstering resources available to membership with a strong program of national webinars.

Industry partners

We prioritize our relationship with the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) and recognize the symbiotic relationship between our contractor/erector members and the manufacturers. In addition to co-locating our National Conference with their Spring Meeting, we are actively engaged with several of their committees and projects, most notably technical.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not thank the past presidents, particularly Robert Tiffin of Silvercote, who have guided and strengthened our association over the last few years. It is thanks to their leadership that the MBCEA is in such a strong position today. I look forward to this opportunity to serve as president for the next two years. I encourage all members to take full advantage of their membership. Attend our webinars, roundtables, and conferences, or join a committee, engage, and participate. If you don’t know where or how to get started, contact Sasha or spend some time in the members-only area of the MBCEA website. I am available and appreciate comments and constructive criticism that will foster ideas, enhance communication, and improve the association and its members.

David K. Leinbach is a recognized leader in the construction and metal building industry with over 35 years of experience driving growth, innovation, and operational excellence. As President of Kaiser-Martin Group, Inc., David oversees a team delivering complex construction projects. His expertise spans design-build solutions, property development, and strategic management.

A respected voice in the industry, David serves as national president of the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA) and has held leadership roles with Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations. He has been instrumental in advancing best practices, safety standards, and legislative advocacy for the construction sector.

Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/articles/mbcea-perspective-february-2026/

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