with your dreams, you can achieve anything. Just don’t give up, be honest, be humble, and always stay kind,” she says. For Medel, her passion for the industry runs deep, so much so that when she clocks off, she can often be found working on initiatives that help forge sheet metal forward to a healthy and diverse future. Sitting on SoCal’s and SMACNA California’s boards of directors, as well as various committees for Southern California, Medel brings a fresh outlook and optimism that inspires others, particularly young women entering the sheet metal sector. “The leadership and direction the industry is moving towards in becoming more inclusive will be opening more doors to women in this industry,” she says. “We currently have strongminded, intelligent, ambitious, determined women who are taking action to encourage, inspire, and create the path for a generation of innovative women. We continue to advocate for those women interested in our industry to become part of our progress, our mentorship, and our leadership. Creating committees and seminars that have an emphasis on empowerment for women in our industry would help to appeal to more women.”
“We currently have strong-minded, intelligent, ambitious, determined women who are taking action to encourage, inspire, and create the path for a generation of innovative women.” With increasing efforts to diversify the industry and double the number of women in sheet metal within the next five years, Medel acts as a beacon of light, demonstrating what’s possible, and she is more than happy to assist other women so they can achieve their dreams, too. “The advice I would give another woman entering the industry would be to give extreme focus, energy, and passion in what you choose to do because we have the power to create our visions,” she says. “Although we may have failures or setbacks, we must always maintain our values, be confident, determined, and engaged, be an inspiration to all generations, and surround ourselves with people who have similar mindsets of empowerment in order to continue striving to improve our future in the industry,” she says. ▪
Remembering
Jordan Ehrenkranz
It is with great sadness that we inform you that long time SMACNA Southern California member, builder, contractor, councilman, mayor, husband, father, raconteur, master of ceremonies, mentor, and friend Jordan Ehrenkranz passed away in his sleep on May 4, 2021. Jordan and his lovely wife Jennie were visiting family in Florida at the time of his passing. Jordan grew up in the Santa Monica/Venice Beach area of Los Angeles, and started in the sheet metal trade as a 17-year-old apprentice in a Santa Monica sheet metal shop. He graduated as journeyman sheet metal worker four years later, making him one of the youngest journeymen in his trade. At 24, he started his own business in Los Angeles, and in 1967, he moved his business enterprise to Santa Fe Springs, California, when he acquired Ideal Heating and Air Conditioning. Shortly after, he initiated yet another firm, Clas Glas, a fiberglass duct board supply and fabrication house. Jordan harnessed intelligence, grit, hard work, and determination to create a successful business career, which provided for his family. Jordan always found time to volunteer to better the industry that provided his livelihood. He began his service with SMACNA Los Angeles in 1971, and participated in association affairs almost continuously since. Jordan served as president of SMACNA Los Angeles and Cal SMACNA; as Chairman of the Southern California JATC; as Chairman of the SMACNA Los Angeles Labor Committee; and as a member of the Joint Industry Council. He also served on Cal SMACNA’s Safety Committee and Investment Committee.
Jordan served on the SMACNA Board of Directors, the Duct Manufacturers Council, as a Management Panelist for the National Grievance Committee, and on the National Apprenticeship Contest Committee. He did all of that and still found time to Chair the SMACNA Los Angeles Friends of the Industry Golf Tournament every year since its inception in 1990. In 2011, Ehrenkranz was recognized with the Career Legislative Service Award—one of the highest legislative honors a contractor or chapter executive may earn within the organization—at SMACNA’s National 68th annual convention. As difficult as it is to accept the loss of Jordan, we can find solace in knowing he is now at peace and with God. We have been blessed to have had him as long as we have. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Jennie and Jordan and Jennie’s six children and nine grandchildren. Jordan Ehrenkranz loved life, living the sentiment that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. Our memories of him will always burn brightly. ▪
Summer 2021
7
