The mechanical contracting industry has lost a longtime project management educator and industry leader whose career spanned engineering, contracting, association leadership and workforce development. Michael Allan Mack died Sept. 2, 2026, at age 81, after more than five decades of professional involvement in the industry.
Mack earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1968. His early engineering work at Hamilton Standard in Connecticut included environmental control, fuel cell and life-support systems associated with the Apollo 11 program.
In 1972, Mack joined John J. Kirlin Inc. in the Washington, D.C., area. He spent more than 35 years with the mechanical contracting organization, taking on leadership responsibilities as the business expanded.
His career at Kirlin also included mentoring professionals entering the mechanical contracting field. His work combined engineering experience with project management and contracting expertise, contributing to the development of personnel within the organization.
Mack's involvement with MCAA's Institute for Project Management extended for more than 20 years. He contributed to the program's redevelopment and taught project managers using his experience in mechanical contracting and project delivery.
His industry service also included six years on the board of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Metropolitan Washington, including a term as president. He was involved in the development of Contractors' Unions Seal of Excellence, an initiative centered on labor-management relationships and industry standards.
Mack continued his focus on education after retiring from Kirlin. For the five years preceding his death, he taught mechanical contracting at the University of Maryland during the fall semester.
MCAA recognized his contributions with its Distinguished Service Award during the association's 2024 Annual Convention.
Mack's career reflects the importance of technical expertise, project management education and mentorship in the mechanical contracting sector. His work across contracting operations, industry associations and university education connected experienced practitioners with the next generation of construction professionals.
For mechanical contractors and project owners, his career also illustrates the value of developing project management capabilities alongside technical skills. Mack's more than two decades of involvement in professional education and his continued teaching after retirement extended that knowledge beyond his own contracting career.
Source: MCAA.
