LAS VEGAS - Robert Lawless, CEO of Blue Diamond Sheet Metal Inc., Medford, N.Y., was recognized as the Legislative Contractor of the Year at the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association’s (SMACNA’s) President’s Luncheon at the 64th annual convention. “The Legislative Contractor of the Year Award is the highest legislative honor a contractor may earn within our organization and it is for Bob’s outstanding and ongoing legislative and political activism that we honor him today,” said SMACNA President Richard J. Cramer Sr.

“Bob has been an exemplary participant in contractor legislative and political affairs at the local, state, and national levels,” Cramer said. “Setting high standards for legislative activism, he is a persuasive advocate for SMACNA and his industry on a number of business, economic and legislative program issues.”

In addition to maintaining close ties to his local representatives and senators, he also is very active in attending fundraisers, writing letters on issues, and briefing members of Congress and legislative committee staff members at Washington conferences and fly-in campaigns for special pieces of legislation. Politically, he is one of SMAC PAC’s most dedicated and consistent supporters as a Congressional Insiders Club member since 1998. He is a Washington Alert member, active in educating Congress on the issues of importance to HVAC firms nationwide.

“With Bob’s dedication to the Legislative Committee, SMAC PAC Committee, and the association’s agenda in Washington, D.C., he has enhanced the industry’s profile in both the policy and political arenas. Without question, Bob has had an impact on Capitol Hill,” Cramer said. “More importantly, however, Bob has inspired and challenged others in his chapter and SMACNA to become involved and stay involved at a high level of engagement.”

Lawless, with decades of experience in the industry, has served as the SMACNA of Long Island chapter president, member of the chapter’s board of directors and the Local Public Affairs Committee as well as a trustee on several joint labor management trust funds. In his capacity as legislative advocate, he has made numerous trips to the New York State Capital in Albany and to the nation’s Capital as well. While Lawless’ legislative efforts at the state and national level have served the association’s interests with significant results, he has led the Long Island Chapter’s Local Public Affairs Committee in its focus on local political and government officials that is important to construction on Long Island and the surrounding area. Lawless also has served on SMACNA’s national legislative and SMAC PAC committees. He currently serves on the national association’s Best Practices Market Expansion Task Force, National Change Order Task Force, and the HVAC Contractors Steering Committee.

This award is given annually to a contractor in recognition of exceptional effort and leadership in legislative and political action on behalf of their company, their association, and their industry in the preceding year.

Publication date:11/05/2007