Port Moody, B.C. — MCABC’s NextGen returned to Port Moody on April 30 for another lively education and networking pub night – bringing together emerging and established industry leaders for a mix of insight, reflection, and connection.
The evening kicked off with the 2026 NextGen AGM, where seven nominees were elected to the NextGen Board of Directors:
- Mic Cagnoni, Phase Mechanical Systems
- Tayler Hinger, Victaulic
- Pierre Huneault, ProWest Sales
- Scott Kenward (Past Chair), Trotter & Morton
- Will Schwarz, UA Piping Industry College of BC
- Shelby Sullivan, Sullivan Mechanical
- Eddie Vaughan, Vaughan Ventures
Congratulations to our newly elected NextGen Board Directors!
In his report to members, Chair Scott Kenward reflected on his two years at the helm and recognized the important role NextGen plays in building leadership capacity across the industry. He also took the opportunity to publicly announce the NextGen Softball Social slated for August 15, 2026.
With the AGM wrapped up, attention turned to the evening’s featured education, Stepping Up: Skills, Strategies, & Relationships You Need to Lead. Certified high-performance coach Graham Snowfield took to the stage and delivered a thought-provoking session on stepping into leadership with intention.
Noting that a quarter of the industry’s workforce is set to retire within the next decade, Graham emphasized the opportunities on the horizon for young industry professionals. He then shared a practical roadmap rooted in three core ideas:
- Identify where you are, where you need to be, and a plan for bridging the gap
- Start treating relationships as critical career infrastructure, including mentorships
- Invest in professional development early, because the returns compound exponentially
These themes carried into a lively Q&A, where the group drilled down into how to foster leadership across teams, how to stay motivated and motivate others, how to quantify the impact of relationships, and other challenges.
From there, the evening shifted into casual networking, with attendees putting Graham’s insights into action – reconnecting with peers, meeting new faces, and sharing laughs over a beer and a burger.
Events like Stepping Up highlight NextGen’s role as a catalyst for connection and professional growth. By creating opportunities for emerging leaders to build skills, strengthen relationships, and find their voice, the NextGen Board is helping shape the future of B.C.’s mechanical contracting industry.
Thank you to Train Wreck Brewing and Truckin’ BBQ for keeping our guests well looked after, and a huge shoutout to our event sponsors, Vaughan Ventures and Davidson Bros. Mechanical, for supporting the next generation of industry leaders.
* * *
Want to relive a piece of the action? Check out our full event photo gallery.
* * *
Save the Date for the NextGen Softball Social
* * *
About MCABC
The Mechanical Contractors Association of B.C. (MCABC) is the dedicated representative of the mechanical contracting industry in British Columbia – the industry with the largest share of skilled trades workers in the construction sector. As the connection to industry excellence for our diverse membership, we deliver education and professional development programs that enable high standards of practice and business success. Through advocacy and strong industry partnerships, we influence policy and regulatory development at all levels of government, advancing the interests of our industry and improving its ability to meet B.C.’s growing infrastructure demand. manufacturers.
Media Contact
Conor Brendan Dunne
Manager, Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
cdunne@mcabc.org
(604) 205-5058
