Spotlighting 2020 MSCA Extraordinary Everyday Hero Awardees

MSCA has been honoring our industry’s very own everyday heroes for the past five years at the annual education conference. Our expectations were blown away by just how many heroes we have within our industry – we received nineteen nominations this year! We are so proud of the many peers among us who do extraordinary things every day, simply out of the kindness of their hearts with a passion to make a difference for the better.

Brad Chittum, Warwick Mechanical Group, New Port News, VA

A team of Warwick Mechanical Group’s technicians, including Brad Chittum, traveled to North Carolina during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic to assist local residents who had been displaced due to Hurricane Florence. The team spent a week doing rebuild and repair work related to their trade but also installed insulation, exterior sheathing, gas piping, flooring, drywall, and framing. They painted, hung cabinets and performed any other repair work needed.

Brad’s colleague and 2019 Everyday Hero Award Winner Michelle Collier commented, “They all came back talking about all the nice people they met and how satisfying it was to help these families get back into their homes.”

Kevin Johnson, Johnson Controls, Sparks, MD

Throughout this pandemic, Kevin has been going out to customers and selling more work to keep all of his men busy so that no one has to be sent home for lack of work.

Kevin’s colleague, Jim Taylorson remarks, “He puts our customers at ease, assuring them that the team is following COVID protection protocols and adhering to each site’s policies. He delivers hand sanitizer and face masks to his men when needed.”

During these unprecedented times his customers, which includes many hospitals, military bases, NSA and many pharmaceutical companies, have come first. On top of the new work he is generating and PPE he is delivering, Kevin is keeping himself on 60% chargeable work, working alongside the men completing service.

Matt Stortz, American Combustion Service, Mokena, IL

Matt has worked continuously throughout the pandemic, picking up the slack while his fellow technicians were in quarantine.  Matt married his beautiful wife in June and although he took time off for his honeymoon, he never requested additional time off.  He continued to work as he watched his fellow technicians quarantine at home with pay.

“This year is stressful for all of us, but I am impressed with Matt because he did not try to take advantage of this,” colleague Niki White shares.

Even with Matt’s added stress of planning a wedding through the pandemic, his work ethic did not faulter.

MSCA is proud to recognize these heroes in our industry and distinguish them as an MSCA Extraordinary Everyday Hero. We will be spotlighting each of these heroes over the next few months. For a full list of 2020 Extraordinary Everyday Hero Awardees, please click here.