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!

Find Eric on LinkedIn 

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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 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.