36200 Schoolcraft Rd.
Livonia, Michigan 48150
(313) 341-7661
About MCA Detroit
Designed with Purpose - Built for Excellence
At MCA Detroit, intentionality is at the core of everything we do. Each year, we undergo a rigorous strategic planning process to ensure we follow the best practices of organizational excellence. With a foundation built from the ground up, we maintain transparency in our operations—creating a model that is sustainable, innovative, and adaptable. Our approach not only strengthens our association but also serves as a blueprint that can be replicated by other organizations, fostering a culture of progress and collaboration that goes beyond ourselves.
Association Motto
Unity through trust,
leadership through service,
strength through bonds.
Vision Statement
Magnify, champion, assist, and develop the organized contractors who are signatories to contracts negotiated by MCA Detroit.
Association Values
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Own It: Seize accountability, champion your actions, and drive change with conviction.
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Embrace Relationships: Forge strong connections that enrich both your personal and professional journeys, propelling the team toward success.
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Assume Positive Intent: Approach every interaction with the belief that everyone is acting with the best intentions.
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Seek to Understand: Prioritize empathy and comprehension, striving to fully grasp the perspectives and motivations of others.
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Stay Agile: Improve and excel, commit to perpetual growth, understanding that excellence is born from the unyielding pursuit of innovation and improvement.
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Set the Bar: Our actions, initiatives, and products should be of such a high quality, that they serve as a model for other associations to emulate.
The Association Contributor Pin
Honoring Excellence in Action
The Contributor Pin is a prestigious symbol of appreciation awarded to individuals who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to advancing the Association’s strategic initiatives. Whether through visionary leadership, steadfast collaboration, or behind-the-scenes impact, recipients of this honor consistently go above and beyond in service of our shared mission.
From dedicated staff and board members to trust fund trustees, committee participants, and vital partners, these distinguished contributors embody the spirit of excellence, accountability, and progress. The pin represents more than recognition—it is a mark of distinction reserved for those whose contributions have meaningfully shaped the trajectory of our work and our community.
MCA Detroit's Hierarchy of Needs – Building Value Through Purpose
At MCA Detroit, our purpose is rooted in a hierarchy of needs that defines both our foundational and transformational goals. At the base of this structure are essential purposes like labor relations and industry development—core functions that provide undeniable value to our members and the industry at large. These serve as the bedrock upon which all associations are built.
As we ascend the pyramid, we focus on transformational initiatives such as education, recruitment, health and safety, government affairs, and community relations. The value of these upper-tier efforts is evident in the results they deliver, creating meaningful and lasting impact.
Achieving these goals is only possible through active partnerships and strategic alliances. By working together, we turn our shared vision into reality, elevating the industry and fostering success for all.
Association Structure – Designed for Impact
At MCA Detroit, our organizational structure is tailored to effectively achieve our mission and initiatives. We utilize a collaborative staffing arrangement that includes executives, directors, managers, professional staff, advisors, and consultants—all working together to drive progress and innovation.
Guiding our vision and governance is a dedicated Board of Directors, composed of contractor representatives. This leadership team plays an essential role in shaping our strategy, ensuring that every position contributes meaningfully to advancing the Association's goals and purpose.
Through this unified structure, MCA Detroit is equipped to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and deliver exceptional value to our members and the industry.
Explore Roles:
Boards, Committees, and Trust Funds
Our Association's History
The history of MCA Detroit is rich and multi-faceted, reflecting the evolution and growth of the mechanical contracting industry in Southeastern Michigan. The story begins with the founding of the Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors (PHCC) of America in 1883. The Detroit Chapter emerged in 1925, established by a group of Master Plumbers who would later be known as the Jewish Master Plumbers Association.
In 1889, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) was founded, with its Detroit Chapter following suit in 1941. Meanwhile, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has roots that trace back to the early 20th century and was incorporated in its current form over forty years ago. Twenty years later, Detroit's ACCA Chapter was rebranded as The Association of Service and Mechanical Contractors of Southeastern Michigan (ASAM) to distinguish its union employing contractors from non-union entities.
Each of these organizations has played a crucial role in supporting their contractor members over the years. Through labor relations, education, governmental affairs, community relations, marketing, and contractor networking, they have provided indispensable services to the industry. The Executive Directors of these organizations have been instrumental in developing progressive programs and guiding their associations towards success. Their contributions have been vital, and their names are etched into the annals of the piping industry in Southeastern Michigan.
In 1948, Harry Lane took the helm of Detroit's PHCC association. Five years later, Albert Cohen became the part-time director and then transitioned to a full-time role in 1966, serving until his retirement in 1986. John Nussbaum succeeded Cohen as Executive Director and remains a consultant to this day. In 1967, John Davis joined as Harry's assistant and, a year later, assumed leadership for both the mechanical and plumbing associations.
He managed the Industry Fund and led labor negotiations for both plumbers and fitters. John Nussbaum, on the other hand, focused on providing educational programs and fostering networking opportunities with other construction associations. He also became a prominent figure in Code Study and Standards, a role he continues to excel in.
The year 2006 marked a significant milestone when all three associations—MDPMCA, PHCC, and ASAM—merged to form the Mechanical Contractors Association of Detroit (MCA Detroit). It was the contractors who spearheaded this unification, believing that their strength and effectiveness would be amplified by working together as one cohesive entity.