Ronald J. Palmerick, president of Ridgewood, N.Y.-based Aabco Sheet Metal Inc., received the SMACNA Contractor of the Year Award. The award was presented to Palmerick at the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association’s 67th annual convention Oct. 10-13 in Phoenix. The award is presented annually in memory of Snips magazine founder Ed Carter and his son Nick Carter, former magazine publisher and editor.

“It is an honor to recognize Ron Palmerick whose tireless guidance and vision while serving as co-chair of the National Pension Fund helped SMACNA and its members navigate through some difficult situations,” said 2010 SMACNA President John Lindemulder Sr. “Ron is incredibly insightful about industry issues, and offers wise counsel and something extra to think about whenever he’s asked for his advice. He really makes you think about all the angles.”

Serving as SMACNA president from 2007-2008, Palmerick advocated that a strong labor-management partnership was critical to a contractor firm’s success. The 2008 Partners in Progress labor-management conference broke attendance records thanks to his leadership, said SMACNA officials.

After serving as SMACNA president, Ron became involved in the legislative and SMAC PAC committees and will take the reins of the SMAC PAC committee as chairman this coming year. He represented SMACNA at the opening of the Rebuilding America Coalition at White House energy meetings. He also became a key contact for SMACNA in New York on Building Star legislation, a proposal under consideration in federal jobs legislation to create 300,000 jobs to reduce energy waste in commercial buildings. In addition, he conducted a survey to determine the potential impact of Industrial and Building Star incentive bills for educating Congress.