Submitted by MCA-EMO
When Jon Danuser joined Johnson Controls in 1978 as construction sales engineer, his job was estimating pneumatic thermostats, valves and copper tubing. At the time of his retirement as market director for the company in June 2020, he was overseeing the work of more than 250 people in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois designing, maintaining and installing highly sophisticated building controls, fire alarm/suppression and security systems.
“The digital age changed everything,” said Danuser. “I remember when they first introduced computers to manage just the HVAC systems; they were 32K and the size of a refrigerator and cost $50,000. Today they can operate a total building out of one panel. Also, technology and remote monitoring have totally altered energy management and maintenance. Technology is increasingly rapidly and has transformed everything.”
A mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla (today Missouri University of Science & Technology), Danuser has enjoyed his association with the Mechanical Contractors Association of Eastern Missouri over the years, including serving as a member of the board from 2006 through March of 2020. He served in various leadership positions, including a stint as MCA-EMO board president from 2009 to 2011, and as treasurer before that.
“MCA-EMO is a great organization of industry peers,” said Danuser. “I learned a lot about all aspects of our industry by being on the board. It was a great advantage to be able to interact with our leaders and future leaders over the years.”
According to Jeff Rush, P.E., president of icon Mechanical Construction & Engineering, LLC and current president of MCA-EMO, “It’s been a privilege to work with Jon, both in the construction marketplace and as a board member of the MCA. Few people in our industry have been as involved or given more freely of their time to support the construction industry as he has. Jon always brings a depth of knowledge, friendly personality and positive approach that will be missed by all. Congratulations Jon on behalf of the MCA and thank you for the support you’ve shown the organization over the years.”
He also truly enjoyed working with members of the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562 and seeing the dynamic growth of their relationship with management over the years. “Everyone has worked hard to improve relations between Local 562 and management, and to improve our industry as a whole. Working together we’ve also improved overall perceptions with our owners/customers.”
Danuser served on the Joint Apprenticeship Committee for 10 years. “It was a very valuable experience,” he added. “Developing the labor force has been a source of pride for the whole organization, as evidenced through Local 562’s new training center.”
“What Jon did best was to look out for the entire industry,” said John O’Mara, business manager, secretary-treasurer for Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562. “He approached our relationship like a true partnership and the communications he brought to it was phenomenal. We didn’t always agree on everything, but we could always find some common ground. Jon was always about fixing the situation and making it right for both sides. He treated our members with respect and always made sure the workforce had what they needed. When you walk into a room, he’s one of those people you want to see. He always brings a breath of fresh air to the conversation.”
“The whole industry has upped its game,” added Danuser. “Our region has some of the highest technical and management levels in the country. The St. Louis region has a very high level of technical expertise and skilled labor ability that’s simply not available in other regions. Combined with a strong Midwestern work ethic, our industry is producing some of the top mechanical installations in the country.”
MCA-EMO also has benefitted from investing in the future. “I think the organization has done a great job of managing its finances and its business to improve its financial standing which allows it to invest in the future. “A prime example is the success of our student chapter at the University of Missouri-Columbia,” said Danuser. “They have placed first in the national competition and consistently rank within the top Final Four teams in the nation. Sometimes our members get to recruit among these top students. It’s a win/win for everyone.”
Additionally, the MCA-EMO has raised its level of training, offering advanced course for project managers, estimators and other professionals. “It’s been a 15-year work in progress, but I feel we’ve really turned the corner,” he added. “I believe our chapter’s training is now among the best in the country. The MCA-EMO board, committee members, leadership and staff have done a superior job of continuous improvement to better its membership.”
Now that he’s retired Jon is enjoying time with his family and the “no stress” era he recently entered, although his blood pressure hasn’t dropped! “As soon as we can lock down this COVID-19 virus, I want to do some traveling. It’s the beginning of a new chapter in my life. What I am going to miss the most is all of the people I have had the privilege to work with and the customers we served over the years.”
His former employer has a long history too. Johnson Controls began in 1885 when Professor Warren Johnson developed the electric room thermostat. The company’s St. Louis heritage began when they provided the large pneumatic floral clock for the 1904 World’s Fair. In fact, the clock mechanism is on display at the Missouri History Museum.
Johnson Controls has entered a new chapter as well. Today Johnson Controls is a global company with over 100,000 employees. It is a leading provider of building technology, products and solutions – controls, equipment and services for HVAC, Security Systems, Fire Solutions and Refrigeration. Johnson Controls is known to many through their major brand names such as York, Simplex, Tyco, Metasys and, of course, Johnson Controls. www.johnsoncontrols.com
MCA-EMO offers programs crucial to the ongoing success of contractors and vendors operating within the construction industry in Eastern Missouri. For more than 120 years, the MCA has provided cost-effective educational opportunities taught by qualified and experienced professionals in the MCA Training Center. MCA-EMO also offers industry events, networking opportunities, and sponsors a student chapter at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Visit: www.mca-emo.com.