MAUI, Hawaii - The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) announced that Gary L. Schwenk, executive vice president of the Bay Area SMACNA Chapter, received the Petersen-Dunn Award at the association's 61st annual convention. The award is presented annually to the SMACNA chapter executive making a substantive contribution to their local association and SMACNA.

"Gary has proven to be someone SMACNA national can always depend on for support, innovation, and vision from program participation, special event support, and overall promotion of the association," said Mark Watson, SMACNA president. "Quick to recognize the benefits of SMACNA's Chapter Education Program, Schwenk has brought more than 17 of these outstanding education sessions to his members over the years. Best of all, his support of SMACNA programs such as these always results in additional benefits for his contractor member firms."

The Bay Area SMACNA Chapter is comprised of a diverse group of 225 contractors. "By providing superior service and products to both the large and small members, Gary has proven himself a visionary who understands the importance of working together," Watson said.

"Earlier this year Gary played a pivotal role in bringing together the industry and community for the new apprentice training center grand opening," Watson noted. In addition, he has fostered a summer intern program that provides summer employment to high school and college students, giving them hands-on experience and introduction to the career opportunities available in the industry. Schwenk also has established a special distribution program of SMACNA technical manuals among architects, engineers, and building inspectors.

Schwenk was a driving force in the SMAC PAC's Top Ten chapter competition not only with a substantial contribution but also with year-to-year participation. The Top Ten program is based on the total chapter, corporate, and personal contributions to SMACNA's political action committee and Administrative Fund. A recipient of SMACNA's 2002 Legislative Chapter Executive of the Year award, Schwenk has been responsible for many donations to SMAC PAC's auction through the chapter.

An active participant on SMACNA committees, Schwenk currently is a member of the College of Fellows and serves on the College's Scholarship Committee. His service to SMACNA also includes membership on the Convention Sponsorship Task Force and the Chapter Education Program Task Force. He served as president of the association from 1982 to 1983.

Publication date: 11/15/2004