• Dunbar Mechanical has acquired the assets of Groskopf Engineering, a Sylvania, Ohio, mechanical systems test and balance firm. Dunbar is a full-service mechanical contractor based in Toledo, Ohio.

• Edward C. Sullivan, president of the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, said he will retire Oct. 1. He announced the move early so that presidents of affiliated unions will be able to factor new leadership into their strategic and operational planning. Prior to his election in 2000, Sullivan was general president of the International Union of Elevator Constructors.

• EMCOR Services New England Mechanical Inc. was recently recognized by the town of South Windsor, Conn., with a 2007 Public Works Business Partnership Award. The award, presented at a town council meeting, was part of the township's celebration of National Public Works Week. NEMSI has performed service repairs and upgrades to South Windsor's town hall, library, police station, community center and treatment plant for the past five years.

• Recently, Shaw Mechanical Services completed its $780,000 contract with general contractor Jack Jennings & Sons for the renovation and reconstruction of the Ministries and Education building at First United Methodist Church of Orlando, Fla. Shaw performed the complete replacement of HVAC equipment, chilled water piping, ductwork and controls to improve comfort cooling for three floors of two buildings totaling 34,000 sq. ft. of space at the church's downtown Orlando campus. Shaw completed the contract in 11 months. Don Wilson & Associates provided mechanical engineering.

• The National Center for Construction Education and Research will host a leadership academy for women in the construction industry Oct. 28-31 on Lake Hartwell at Clemson University in Clemson, S.C. This National Association of Women in Construction Leadership Academy is a partnership between NCCER and NAWIC. It is designed to enhance management and people skills and reinforce the technical skills needed to run a profitable operation. Cost for the academy is $1,295, which includes tuition, books, and room and board. Topics include leadership and management styles, negotiating techniques, time management and conflict resolution.