Philadelphia, PA, October 10, 2006--John T. McGrath, Jr., has been appointed as the new director of the International Standards and Training Alliance (INSTALL). McGrath replaces a retiring James P. Schmid, the first director of INSTALL.
McGrath, 44, is a 24-year veteran of the floor covering industry. His most recent position was business manager of INSTALL Local 1823, which serves eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and eastern Maryland. McGrath is also president of Local 1823 and Vice President of the Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters. As coordinator of INSTALL Local 1823, McGrath expanded the Local’s membership by 50 percent and its contractor base by 66 percent within a five-year period.
Schmid was named director of INSTALL in 2001 and was an original member of the International Labor-Management Committee for the Floor Covering Industry (LMCFCI), the group that created INSTALL. Schmid helped develop the INSTALL program, oversaw marketing, and was the group’s spokesman. He also worked closely with the LMCFCI, which has as its priority the increase of skills, productivity and professionalism of union floor covering installers throughout the United States and Canada.
Prior to being named the new INSTALL Director, McGrath was the marketing chairman of the LMCFCI. One of his priorities will be expanding INSTALL’s alliance program, which places technical and education experts from leading mills and manufacturers into the role of advising on INSTALL curriculum.
“We certainly will miss the experience and insight that Jim provided,” said David Meberg, Chairman of the INSTALL Labor-Management Committee and President of Consolidated Carpet, Inc., “but we are confident that John has the experience and vision to continue INSTALL’s mission.”
