Richard “Rick” Spinelli, president and owner of Bryant Air Conditioning Contractors Inc., West Babylon, N.Y., was recognized May 3rd as the Chantilly, Va.-based Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association’s Legislative Contractor of the Year during the association’s legislative dinner held in conjunction with the National Issues Conference. The original announcement of Spinelli’s award was made at SMACNA’s 2009 annual convention, but unfortunately he was unable to attend the conference and accept the Waterford Crystal eagle award in person. “The Legislative Contractor of the Year Award is the highest legislative honor a contractor may earn within our organization and it is for Rick’s outstanding and ongoing legislative and political activism that we honor him today,” announced SMACNA’s Legislative Committee Chair Peter Fluetsch. “Rick has been an industry activist and leader in contractor legislative and political affairs at the local, state, and national levels.” “He has demonstrated an enthusiasm for representing his association in his home area as well as the nation’s Capital in legislative and political matters. Without question, he is a valued advocate for SMACNA and has consistently been a leader within SMAC PAC and in fundraising while making sure our voice is heard in the political world.” Legislative and political activism is a family tradition—Rick’s father Ron Spinelli has also been a SMACNA legislative honoree. In addition to maintaining close ties to his local representatives and senators, he is active in attending fundraisers, writing letters on issues, and briefing members of Congress and legislative committee staff members at annual Washington National Issues Conferences promoting SMACNA’s special legislative priorities. Spinelli is one of SMAC PAC’s most dedicated and consistent supporters. He has been a member of the Congressional Insiders Club since 1990. In 2007, when SMAC PAC announced it had raised $995,000 during the last five years, he wanted to become SMAC PAC’s “Million Dollar Man” and made a $5,000 contribution to join the Political Pacesetters Council so SMAC PAC would reach the one million dollar fundraising mark. He is a highly engaged SMACNA representative at national political events, reaching out to other SMACNA members to get more involved in the legislative and political arena. Active in educating Congress on the issues of importance to HVAC firms nationwide, Spinelli had been a long-term attendee at all SMACNA legislative conferences and events. Spinelli is past president of the SMACNA-Long Island chapter, as well as past trustee of the Industry Promotion Fund, and past vice president, secretary, and treasurer. This award is given to contractors annually in recognition of exceptional effort and unsurpassed leadership in legislative and political action on behalf of their company, their association and their industry in the preceding year. Their activism makes a difference in SMACNA’s national lobbying efforts and challenges all SMACNA and industry members to match their level of commitment.