Breaking In and Building Up: Clean Rooms as a Growth Market
Wednesday, February 18 | 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
As high-tech manufacturing, biotech, and pharmaceutical sectors continue to grow, so does demand for clean rooms—controlled environments where even the smallest particle can disrupt operations. This presents a significant opportunity for contractors and sheet metal workers with the right skills and training. In this session we’ll hear from contractors who have successfully entered this space, along with union leaders and training professionals who are preparing the workforce to meet the technical and cleanliness demands of this growing market.
Speakers:
Tony Kocurek
Energy Balance and Integration, LLC
Tony Kocurek was born and raised in New Mexico and graduated Cibola High School in Albuquerque, NM in 1979. He attended the University of New Mexico, Mechanical Engineering Student from 1979 to 1981 before being employed with Energy Balance Inc. from March of 1982 to 2007. During that time, he was in a Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship where he had on-the-job training for the same company, before graduating to Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker in July of 1987. In 2008 he went on to purchase the company.
Additionally, Tony has been a TAB Field Supervisor since 1994, and was NEBB Supervisor Certified in 1996. He graduated University of Phoenix May 2001 with a BSBA Business. Tony was TABB Supervisor Certified in 2003, has been a member of Sheet Metal Workers Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee since 2006, and serves as Co-Chair of the NM Local 49 JATC. Tony was also a NEMIC Trustee between 2008 and 2022, an ICB Trustee in 2022, and has served in all offices and positions at the NM SMACNA Chapter in addition to serving on the National SMACNA Board of Trustees, and as National SMACNA President between 2022 and 2023. Tony was inducted to the TAB Hall of Fame in 2025.
Ryan Thompson
SMART Local Union 235
Thomas Fischbach
SMART