President's Message - Oct '26
From Reflection to Renewal: Preparing MBCEA for a Vibrant Spring
Fall has a way of inviting reflection. As the leaves change and the year begins to wind down, we naturally take stock of where we have been, what we have accomplished, and what we have learned along the way. That same spirit guided the MBCEA Board during our strategic planning session—a valuable opportunity to step back from the day-to-day work of the association and look thoughtfully at our direction, priorities, and future.
Our discussion began by reflecting on the strategic plan and the progress we have made together. MBCEA continues to benefit from the commitment of our members, chapters, volunteers, committees, and staff. We have strengthened the resources and relationships that support our industry, expanded opportunities for education and engagement, and remained focused on helping member companies succeed. These accomplishments are worth recognizing, because they demonstrate what is possible when our organization works with a shared purpose.
Strategic planning, however, is not only about celebrating what has gone well. It also requires an honest assessment of what works, where we can improve, and what may need to change. The Board considered how we can better serve members, communicate our value, strengthen participation, support our chapters, develop future leaders, and ensure that our programs remain relevant to a changing industry. Some efforts should be reinforced because they are delivering meaningful results. Others may need to be refined, simplified, or approached in a new way.
Like the work that takes place beneath the surface during the colder months, this season of reflection is preparing us for renewed growth. The ideas and priorities identified during the session will help guide our decisions and turn thoughtful discussion into focused action. We enter the coming year with greater clarity about where to invest our time, how to measure progress, and how to keep MBCEA responsive, connected, and forward-looking.
As we look toward spring - a season of energy, renewal, and new possibilities - we are excited to put these priorities into action. Our goal is not simply to grow for growth’s sake, but to build a more vibrant organization: one that welcomes new voices, creates meaningful value for every member, advances professionalism in the metal building industry, and provides opportunities for people and companies to thrive.
The seasons remind us that meaningful growth follows periods of reflection, preparation, and purposeful change. I am grateful to our Board, volunteers, staff, chapters, and members for the insight and commitment they bring to MBCEA. Together, we will carry the lessons of this fall into the work ahead and make next spring the beginning of another strong chapter for our association.
David Leinbach
President, MBCEA
President, Kaiser-Martin Group