the fused TEAM

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Eric is a building trades journeyman UA steamfitter with experience in the construction industry since 2002.  Eric attended Purdue University's School of Engineering for Computer Engineerinng but opted to jump to a career in the construction industry instead.  He completed the apprenticeship at UA Local 440 Plumbers, Steamfitters, & HVACR Service Technicians in 2009.  

Since that time, Eric has worked in a wide variety of roles on commercial and industrial construction projects.  He has vast experience in Autodesk software, robotic total station layout, laser scanning, and much more.  In 2010, Eric began teaching rigging and technology courses to building trades journeymen and apprentices.  In 2015, he began creating courses and teaching construction technology nationally for the United Association - representing over 355,000 piping professionals.   In 2016 & 2022, Eric was a speaker at Autodesk University.  In 2018, he was featured by the Autodesk Skilled Trades program.  He is now both a Revit Certified Professional in Revit for Mechanical Design and an Autodesk Certified Instructor.  

Eric is a self-motivated leader that excels in analyzing, solving problems, and streamlining office-to-jobsite and design-to-fabrication workflows.  He will work closely with your team to ensure your projects are successful!

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Derek began his construction career working for a mechanical contractor while he was a high school senior in Elkhart, Indiana. After graduation, he started his apprenticeship with the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters. Derek then moved to Arizona and joined UA Local 469 in Phoenix. From his very first job in Arizona, he witnessed how VDC was a major part of construction, increasing productivity and efficiency. In 2013, he took an AutoCAD course at Local 469’s training center which sparked his interest in becoming a piping detailer. Shortly after the course was complete, Derek was given an opportunity to work as a detailer for a mechanical contractor making fabrication drawings. 

Since then, Derek moved back to Indiana and transferred his membership to UA Local 440 in Indianapolis. He started detailing with a local mechanical contractor. There he learned how to connect coordinated models with the field install using robotic total station layout. In 2017, he started teaching VDC courses at Local 440’s training center with Eric Posey. Derek found his passion for training other trades workers on various VDC processes.  This passion was realized on a national scale. In 2019, he began instructing at the UA’s Instructor Training Program (ITP), a train-the-trainer forum for all instructors across North America. 

For Derek, VDC is a natural fit as it allows him to look for more efficient ways of completing tasks using technology.

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Melissa is a seasoned business professional that supports the FUSED team.  

Melissa graduated from Indiana University, Indianapolis - Kelly School of Business and has a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting & Finance. 

As an Administrative Assistant with FUSED, Melissa is spearheading office and administrative duties, marketing, HR, and assisting with job proposals & bids. She has more than 7 years experience in the accounting sector, with 5 of those years focused on Real Estate & Construction accounting. During those years Melissa has been able to hone in on industry related skills such as project budgeting, financial reporting, contract analysis, cash flow management, software proficiency, and communication both internally and externally.    Her experience and skill set make her a great addition to the FUSED team.

Outside of the office, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, going to extracurricular activities, traveling and being outdoors. 

Chris is a building trades journeyman pipefitter from UA Local 440 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  He is an accomplished welder and craftsman with extensive experience in on-site layout, shop fabrication, rigging and field installation.  His field experience is well-rounded. It ranges across the oil and gas pipeline, food-grade and pharmaceutical piping, and industrial power generation industries.

Chris came to FUSED with experience in both Revit and AutoCAD.  He began his construction modeling career with courses offered through the Training Center at UA Local 440.  Shortly after completion, Chris was promoted to the BIM department of his mechanical contractor as a Virtual Piping Designer.  He has worked with multiple UA contractors modeling time and cost sensitive jobs, as well as coordinating with other skilled trades and general contractors.

Chris is an instructor with the UA Local 440 Training Center. He graduated from the UA Instructor Training Program at Washtenaw Community College in 2021.  He teaches Trade Related Math, Pipe Layout, Tube Bending, and Welding to building trades apprentices.  Chris makes a strong effort to fuse construction technology into what has traditionally been an analog education.

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 Kyle is a building trades journeyman sheet metal worker from SMART Local 20 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  His construction experience began in high school with manufacturing, welding, and electrical vocational training.  After high school, Kyle began his apprenticeship at SMART Local 20.  He completed his apprenticeship while also earning an Applied Associates of Science Degree specializing in sheet metal.
Since becoming a journeyman, Kyle worked with Indianapolis based contractors in the field. He is specialized in field installations, field measurement and shop fabrication.  In 2008, Kyle began diving into construction technology modeling ductwork with AutoCAD. He gained a wealth of experience in design in AutoCAD, CAD/CAM and Revit working on large projects.
Kyle’s knowledge of the industry and technology, combined with results-driven attitude, enable him to deliver optimal solutions to FUSED customers. 

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Jann Fidel is a U.S. Navy veteran and currently serving as a U.S. Navy reservist as a Hull Technician. After active duty, he entered the construction trades for pipefitting and plumbing with UA Local 440, where he gained valuable skills and knowledge in the field. In addition to his construction experience, Jann brings his skills as a Hull Technician in the Navy Reserves, which include welding, fabrication, and mechanical systems.

Recently, Jann transitioned into a new role as a BIM coordinator, where he uses his skills to ensure construction projects are accurately represented through building information modeling. His attention to detail, strong work ethic, and ability to work well under pressure make him an asset to the FUSED team.

When he's not working, Jann enjoys spending time with his family on and off the field. He looks forward to developing his skill sets and making a positive impact in the construction industry.

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Will is a building trades journeyman plumber from UA Local 440 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He realized his passion for construction and architecture during a break from school, while he worked as a framer for a local custom home builder. Will changed his course of study accordingly and he earned an A.S. Degree in Architectural Technology from Purdue’s School of Engineering at IUPUI in Indianapolis. A few years later, Will entered the apprenticeship at UA Local 440 and learn the plumbing and pipefitting trade, adding to his construction knowledge.

During Will’s apprenticeship, he was given the opportunity to get his feet wet in building information modeling alongside of FUSED’s current VDC Director, Derek Westfall, as they worked for the same local mechanical contractor. He enjoyed applying the skills and knowledge that he gained in the field along with some of the technology that he had been exposed to at IUPUI. Since becoming a journeyman in 2019, Will has gained experience as a field foreman and has the chance to work on many different plumbing and mechanical piping systems. His experience in the field, along with an eagerness to learn how technology is advancing the building trades, makes him a great fit for FUSED. 

Butch has over 39 years of experience as a plumber. He started his trade experience through the apprenticeship with Local 661 in Muncie, Indiana. 

For most of his career, Butch worked with a local contractor in Richmond, Indiana. There he worked his way up with roles as apprentice, journeyman, foreman, field superintendent and finally Executive Vice President of the company. During this time, Butch gained valuable field experience on projects at many factories, hospitals, schools and universities, among other commercial projects. He has specialty in installing and maintaining process piping, plumbing services and HVAC.  Butch also expanded his skill set to include BIM. 

Butch holds certificates for Backflow Prevention, ICRA, RSES Refrigerant Usage, Orbital Welding, Medical Gas Installation, OSHA 10 and 30 Hour certificates. He also holds an Indiana Contractor and Journeyman plumbing license, as well as a certificate from Ivy Tech for completing the Home Energy Conservation Program Contractor training. He received an associates degree in Construction Apprenticeship Technology/Plumber from Ivy Tech in 2001. Experience galore, Butch is able to bring extensive on-the-job expertise to the FUSED team.