Robert Zahner Named 2012 SMACNA Contractor of the Year

Robert Zahner, Senior Vice President of A. Zahner Company, Kansas City, MO, received the SMACNA Contractor of the Year award at the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association’s (SMACNA) 69th Annual Convention. The award is presented annually in memory of SNIPS magazine founder Ed Carter and his son Nick Carter, magazine publisher and editor.

“The old adage ‘when you want something done, ask a busy man’ applies to this year’s recipient,” 2012 SMACNA President Richard Rivera said. “Robert continues to amaze us all with his focus and commitment and we are all grateful for his leadership and service to the industry.”

“Despite being stretched thin by the responsibilities of his large company’s worldwide jobsite work, he agreed to take on the challenging job of management co-chair of the ITI Board of Trustees,” Rivera noted. In fact, Robert has served in just about every capacity on the International Training Institute (ITI) and its various subcommittees and task forces.

In addition to the normal challenges of the position, Zahner navigated a leadership transition assuming the co-chair title from a 14-year veteran of the position. For the past year he worked through the challenges that occurred as a result of the leadership change at SMACNA’s labor partner – SMART, the International Association of Sheet Metal Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (formerly the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association).

Zahner’s years of service to SMACNA include chairing the Architectural Sheet Metal Council and serving on the SMACNA Board of Directors, the SMACNA Budget and Finance Committee, the High Performing Contractor Task Force, the Products and Programs Coordinating Committee, the Siding and Decking Task Force, the SMACNA Testing and Research Institute Board of Directors, the SMACNA/SMWIA Best Practices Market Expansion Task Force, and the SMACNA Strategic Planning Committee.

The International Training Institute (ITI) is jointly sponsored by SMACNA and its labor partner, SMART, the International Association of Sheet Metal Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (formerly the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association), and offers apprenticeship and advanced career training for union workers in the sheet metal industry throughout the U.S. and Canada.

SMACNA, an international trade association representing 4,500 contributing contractor firms, is dedicated to promoting quality and excellence in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry. SMACNA has national offices in Chantilly, Va., outside of Washington, D.C., as well as on Capitol Hill. Visit www.smacna.org for more information.