Dr. Melissa Furman kicked off the Future Leaders Program at METALCON in October 2022.
MCA’s efforts have always been advanced by our strong leaders and smart, hard-working members. We don’t take those people for granted when we look at our past successes or when we plan our future. So, as we look at the past 40 years and see all the MCA members who have made this longevity possible, we’re also planning a successful future where today’s employees are the informed, empowered leaders of tomorrow.
The Future Leaders Program is an important part of our plan, an effort that will benefit not only MCA but the participating professionals, their employers and the industry. The program is a professional development resource. Participants might be early in their careers or have recently joined the industry; they might be rising stars or simply show potential.
Developed in partnership with PSMJ (producers of METALCON, the industry trade show), MCA launched the program in October 2022. In-person and virtual events provide information and opportunities to learn more and develop the skills needed to advance in their profession. It also acts as an important networking forum, bringing together people who are at similar points in their careers so they can make connections throughout the industry, with peers and leaders.
Like MCA’s other valuable resources, program content is shared online to provide the maximum benefit, on MCA’s Future Leaders Program page on our website, www.metalconstruction.org.
This program is a rising tide that floats all boats. Better informed professionals will strengthen their companies, the association and the industry. As they gain knowledge and skills, they’ll step up into leadership positions, further benefiting all of us.
The program kicked off at METALCON 2022 in October in Indianapolis, with sessions like Dr. Melissa Furman’s “From Employee to Manager: Transitioning into a Management Role,” which provided strategies to help managers navigate their role.
Next, Samantha Smith presented “Communication Across Generations,” a webinar, on November 10. Participants explored the implications of today’s generationally diverse workforce, its value, and how we can forge an environment that welcomes all.
Then, at January’s MCA winter meeting in Clearwater, Fla., a panel of industry leaders discussed their own journeys and offered advice to the next generation of leaders, including how to set goals, find mentors, and get involved in the industry beyond the expectations of your title. Heidi Ellsworth of Roofer’s Coffee Shop moderated the talk. Brian Jaks, Green Span Profiles; Lee Ann Slattery, ATAS International Inc.; Dustin Haddock and Rob Haddock, S-5!; and Chandler Barden, CIDAN Machinery Inc., provided tips on setting goals, finding mentors and getting involved in the industry beyond your title. This program was incredibly well received.
What’s next? Through the Future Leaders Program, MCA will continue to offer engaging professional development webinars and create live networking opportunities at METALCON. We’re hosting “Metal 101” educational opportunities, tackling topics that will get early-career professionals or industry newcomers up to speed faster, such as “Decoding the Language of Metal Construction.” This METALCON Live! and MCA live presentation on March 22 had MCA technical director Bob Zabcik and Isaiah Industries president Todd Miller explaining key terms and acronyms from industry jargon. We’re also planning to build a resource guide to industry terminology for ongoing reference, a handy resource for those still learning the terminology as well as industry pros who need an easy way to explain key terms to customers.
The Future Leaders Program is about success, but not just the participants’ or MCA’s. This is the type of program that pays dividends throughout the industry and well into the future. When we provide quality education, resources and connections to today’s professionals, we create a pipeline of strong leaders for tomorrow. We know that longevity and durability are strong selling points for metal in construction. MCA is doing our part to ensure our industry has the same longevity and durability by ensuring the quality and dedication of tomorrow’s leaders today.
