BONITA SPRINGS, FLA. — The Mechanical Service Contractors of America recently honored 20 new MSCA STARS and 17 new GreenStars during the opening session of the association’s 24th Annual Educational Conference here, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point.

“Since 2003, the MSCA STAR qualified contractor program has been producing positive results for those contractors taking the initiative to become STARs,” said MSCA Board of Managers Chairman Jeff McCoy, vice president of Mechanical Inc. Freeport, Ill. "The program, designed to recognize companies exhibiting exemplary business practices, is making a difference around the country. This year I am proud to announce that we had 20 more companies qualify as MSCA STARs, bringing the total number to 125.”

MSCA STAR is a rigorous qualification program recognizing contractors who meet or exceed operating education, safety and training standards set by MSCA. GreenStar is awarded to STARs who have demonstrated their leadership in promoting and embracing green practices.

“MSCA GreenStar is a special designation given only to MSCA STARs who have proven their commitment to environmental responsibility and have taken the lead in promoting sustainable solutions for their customers while incorporating a commitment to green throughout their entire organization,” said McCoy. “By satisfying all the rigorous criteria to qualify for GreenStar and by attaining the GreenStar designation, these companies have set themselves apart as industry experts in energy efficiency and cost effective environmental solutions. This provides them with a tremendous advantage as they market their skills and expertise to current and potential customers.”

To become a GreenStar, a MSCA STAR contractor must meet the following criteria:
• Employ at least one LEED accredited professional.
• Be a member of the United States Green Building Council — either with a local chapter or the national organization.
• Verify that at least 25% of their total employees have participated in a green training or education program.
• Demonstrate that they promote environmental responsibility by offering specific sustainable services and recommending green procedures and equipment.
• Establish an internal commitment to green by attaining LEED certification, of any type, for their building or by developing an internal green policy.
• Have participated as part of a project team with a LEED EB or LEED NC registered project within the past three years.

New MSCA STARs include Advance Air and Heat Co. Inc., East Freetown, Mass.; Advantage Mechanical-Refrigeration Inc., Comstock Park, Mich.; Airco Commercial Services Inc., Benicia, Calif.; Airco Commercial Services Inc., Sacramento, Calif.; Air Temp Heating & Air Conditioning Inc., Binghamton, N.Y.; A. O. Reed & Co., San Diego; Arrowhead/Jamar Services, Duluth, Minn.; Day & Nite Air Conditioning Service Corp., New Hyde Park, N.Y.; Densel Co., Gaithersburg, Md.; Franklin Holwerda Co., Wyoming, Mich.; Johnson Controls, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Lane Associates Inc., Island Park, N.Y.; McKenney’s Mechanical, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Myers Plumbing & Heating Inc., Lansing, Mich.; R. M. Thornton Inc., Capitol Heights, Md.; Scarborough Mechanical Service, Louisville, Ky.; The Brewer-Garrett Co., Middleburg Heights, Ohio; Thomas G. Gallagher Inc., Cambridge, Mass.; Tozour-Trane, King of Prussia, Pa.; and W. S. Mechanical Inc., Ft. Wayne, Ind.

New GreenStars include Adrian Mechanical Service Co., Adrian, Mich.; Airco Commercial Services Inc., Sacramento, Calif.; Allison Mechanical Inc., Redland, Calif.; A. O. Reed & Co., San Diego; Arista Air Conditioning, Long Island City, N.Y.; Binsky & Snyder, Piscataway, N.J.; Boland, Gaithersburg, Md.; Control Services, Omaha, Neb.; Emcor Service/MESA Energy, Irvine, Calif.; Illingworth-Kilgust Mechanical Inc., Milwaukee; McKenney’s Mechanical Contractors & Engineers, Atlanta; The Brewer-Garrett Co., Middleburg Heights, Ohio; The Enterprise Corp., Twinsburg, Ohio; Thomas G. Gallagher Inc., Cambridge, Mass.; Tozour-Trane, King of Prussia, Pa.; William F. Lynch Co. Inc., Worchester, Mass.; and W.J. O’Neil Company, Livonia, Mich.

MSCA STAR and GreenStar applications are reviewed and approved by a third-party independent company.