Ginger Slaick, Executive Vice President,

Georgia and North Carolina, SMACNA (Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association)

My journey into the sheet metal industry took an unexpected turn from my initial career aspirations in court reporting and paralegal work. After high school, my plan was to become a court reporter, so I went to Brown College of Court Reporting, but quickly realized my fingers weren’t going to move that fast. I then studied to be a paralegal but was not happy in that field. Discovering my passion for association management, I joined SMACNA Georgia as an administrative assistant.

Buddy Mawyer hired me and for 18 years, I considered him a kind and helpful mentor who gave me every opportunity to learn the industry. When it was Mawyer’s time to retire, I applied for the chapter executive position. It was a step up but mostly, it was to serve an industry that I believed in. I always loved working for the association, the people, what SMACNA stands for, and the opportunities it provides. It was time for me to take the next step and advance my career.

I was extremely dedicated and confident as I navigated through various responsibilities, from labor negotiations to event planning, always aiming to serve the industry and its members diligently. Eventually I rose to become the first female chapter executive in Georgia's sheet metal industry. I try not to get caught up in gender. I’d just like to normalize that the board of directors hired the best person for the job, and I had to go through the same process as everyone else. In my job as an administrator, I knew my role, I worked hard, and I took every opportunity to learn as much as I could about the association. My selection as chapter executive speaks volumes for the contractors I represent. I appreciate their openness and willingness to give me that opportunity.

The future generation should not see our trade as an afterthought or fallback plan. It is an excellent career and provides tremendous opportunities. For years the pendulum swung to ‛college for everyone’ and that has been the focus for a long time. Over that timeframe, people seem to have forgotten about the skilled trades and the stigma about blue collar work has grown but should be no more. We say we are the best kept secret, but we don’t want to be. It is time to change the mindset. I believe students should learn about both college and the skilled trades as higher education options.

Twenty-six years later, and being the Executive Vice President for the last 9 years, I still feel grateful to be a part of the SMACNA “family” and work with high-caliber contractors who complete life-changing projects and help families live their best lives by providing rewarding, high-paying jobs. My role changes every day—a challenge and a blessing—and more than anything, I consider myself a servant leader. My advice to aspiring professionals in the field is to embrace the unexpected opportunities and continue to learn. My ultimate goal is to ensure that SMACNA Georgia fulfills its role in supporting the industry and its workforce effectively.

Read more about North Carolina and Georgia SMACNA HERE.