NEMI honors longtime D.C. sheet metallic employee with nationwide union function

Joe Pickens formally joined the Nationwide Vitality Administration Institute (NEMI) as a area workers consultant for the Midwest area on April 1. On this function, he serves as a liaison for native unions and members of the Worldwide Affiliation of Sheet Metallic, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) staff, serving to determine options and alternatives out there.

Pickens entered the apprenticeship at SMART Native 100 within the Washington, D.C., space in 2008. He graduated first in his class, additionally receiving an ideal attendance award for the five-year program. From the beginning of his profession by 2021, Pickens labored for ADJ Sheet Metallic. Throughout his time there, the corporate tripled in dimension to greater than 300 staff, and Pickens gained expertise in many various areas of the trade.

This expertise led to Pickens instructing quite a lot of programs at his native union’s coaching heart, and in 2023 he was named coaching coordinator. Pickens turned a normal fund trustee in 2022, working with the enterprise supervisor to supervise varied funds and guarantee accounts are in good standing at Native 100, the place he’s nonetheless a dues-paying member. He holds over a dozen trade certifications and has participated in in depth teacher coaching from the Worldwide Coaching Institute (ITI), the training arm of the unionized sheet metallic, air con and welding trade, over time.

Pickens hails from Centreville, Maryland, and at present resides in King George, Virginia.

NEMI is a not-for-profit group collectively managed by SMART and the Sheet Metallic and Air Conditioning Contractors’ Nationwide Affiliation (SMACNA). NEMI works with public, non-public and authorities organizations in addition to firms nationwide to make buildings safer and more healthy whereas enhancing power effectivity.

NEMI creates coaching and certification alternatives so customers know these staff — who guarantee hearth life security programs are inspected, confirm the indoor air high quality in faculties and ensure the heating and air con programs in workplace buildings are power environment friendly — are on the high of their trade and consultants of their area. NEMI works with state and federal officers as material consultants to ensure laws, implementation and security align.