After being on hiatus since COVID, we were excited to bring back one of our most requested and well-loved programs: Foreman Training at Mechanical Contractors Association of New York.
Over the course of three Saturdays, foremen from across our membership came together to step away from the jobsite, compare notes, and strengthen the skills that matter most- leadership, communication, planning, and running work effectively.
It was practical, edcuational and exactly what this program has always been about: giving foremen tools they can use the very next day.
Week 1: Growing & Developing Foremen
We kicked things off with a focus on the foreman’s role as a leader.
Led by Kevin Dougherty, the session centered on developing stronger communicators and more confident decision-makers. Participants talked through real-world challenges, shared experiences, and walked away with actionable strategies for leading crews, building accountability, and creating high-performing teams.
It set the tone for the weeks ahead: honest conversations and practical takeaways.
Week 2: Planning & Executing the Work (Snowstorm Included)
We welcomed a full house for week two, which focused on what it really takes to build and run a job successfully from start to finish.
The morning session with Ed English and John Klueg of WDF Inc. covered the nuts and bolts of the work — material handling, planning, scheduling, and closing out projects the right way.
In the afternoon, Michael Russo of Fresh Meadow Mechanical and Kevin Gillen of Current Fire Protection Inc. dug into jobsite organization and efficiency, sharing the small habits and systems that keep projects moving and teams aligned.
It was a great reminder that preparation and consistency make all the difference.
Week 3: The Foreman as the Face of the Contractor
Our final week zoomed out a bit and looked at the bigger picture.
Because being a foreman isn’t just about running work — it’s about representing your company every day.
Attendees talked through what it means to be the face of the contractor when working with owners, GCs, construction managers, tenants, and agencies, and how those daily interactions directly impact trust, safety, productivity, and ultimately the success of a project.
There were thoughtful conversations about balancing people, safety, and performance — and a lot of shared experience around what leadership really looks like in the field today.
We’re grateful to the many industry leaders who shared their time and insight this last week, including:
- Steven Sommer of Consigli Construction Co., Inc.
- Michael Russo of Fresh Meadow Mechanical, Inc.
- Peter Vrankovic of KSW Mechanical LLC
- Joseph Furelli, Marty Sheppard, and Danny Turet of JDP Mechanical
- Mark Rogers of West Chester Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Looking Ahead
It was great to see this program back in action and to watch the level of engagement each week.
Strong foremen make stronger jobs, stronger crews, and stronger companies — and investing in that leadership is one of the best things we can do for our industry.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the return of Foreman Training such a success. We’re already looking forward to the next round.
