Board of Trustees

The Fund operates under the direction of a Board of Trustees, consisting of eight Trustees, four appointed by the SMART International Association and four by the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association.

Joseph Sellers, Jr.

Chairman and Labor Trustee

Joseph Sellers, Jr., has risen steadily in his 36 years as an industry professional and union official. A second-generation sheet metal worker, his background includes managing the union and its affiliates at every level as well as many years as a leader in education.

Ron Palmerick

Co-Chair and Management Trustee

Ron Palmerick is a third-generation sheet metal worker and accountant. Ron is a recent past president of SMACNA and has served on the SMACNA Board of Directors from 1993 to 1997.

John Daniel

Labor Trustee

John Daniel assumed the position of SMART General Secretary-Treasurer on July 1, 2024. Daniel has steadfastly served SMART members for more than 30 years. Since entering the industry in 1991, he has been a sheet metal fabricator and installer, an instructor, organizer, business representative, financial secretary-treasurer and most recently the president/business manager for Local 265.... Read More

Thomas Szymczak

Management Trustee

Thomas Szymczak started his sheet metal career as an apprentice in the mid 1970’s.

Joseph Lansdell

Management Trustee

Joseph Lansdell serves as the 2017 President of SMACNA National. Joseph has been actively involved in SMACNA and the industry for more than 27 years, serving as a member of: SMACNA’s Board of Directors, The Legislative Committee, SMAC PAC, SFUA Article 10 panelist, NEMI trustee, Project Management Task Force, Strategic Planning Task Force and The Budget and Finance Committee.

Matthew Fairbanks

Labor Trustee

Matt Fairbanks is a second-generation sheet metal worker from Local #10 representing Minnesota, North and South Dakota, who also has two brothers and three nephews in the trade. He began his career in the sheet metal industry in 1995 when he enrolled at St. Paul Technical College. After completing two years of full-time day school... Read More

Jack Knox

Management Trustee

Jack Knox is a past president of SMACNA national and also president of R.F. Knox Company, in Smyrna, Georgia. The fourth generation to run his family business, Jack grew up working in his father’s sheet metal shop. He officially entered the industry as an estimator, two days after graduating from Auburn University. When his father... Read More

Scott Knocke

Labor Trustee

Scott Knocke has been a proud member of SMART for 34 years. He started his Sheet Metal career in 1989 and finished his 5-year apprenticeship in 1995. After his apprenticeship, he worked as a Field Superintendent until 2017. In 2008 he was elected to the Executive Board for Local 18 and continued to hold that... Read More

About the Fund