Joseph Pickens

Joe Pickens serves as the Program Administrator for the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI). In this role, he serves as a liaison for members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) workers and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), helping identify solutions and emerging market opportunities. The Maryland native entered the 5-year apprenticeship at SMART Local 100 in the Washington, D.C. area in 2008, eventually graduating first in his class. From the beginning of his career through 2021, Pickens worked for ADJ Sheet Metal & Mechanical. During his time there, the company tripled in size to almost 300 employees. Due to the company's rapid growth, Pickens was able to gain experience in many di􀀁erent areas of the industry. His experience in the field coupled with the technical training he received during his apprenticeship allowed him to eventually serve as a BIM (Building Information Modeling) Coordinator. As a union sheet metal worker employed in our Nation’s Capital, he was fortunate enough to work on some of our country’s most famous landmarks. He has assisted in seeing millions of dollars in mechanical projects go from a 3D model to a real-world structure while being directly responsible for identifying conflicts and streamlining production along the way. In 2019, Pickens began teaching a variety of courses at his local union’s training center and would eventually become the Training Director for all of SMART Local 100, including its Maryland and Virginia training centers. He has participated in extensive Instructor Training from the International Training Institute (ITI), the education arm of the unionized Sheet Metal, HVAC, and Welding industry, and still holds over a dozen industry certifications ranging from Commissioning Supervisor to Indoor Air Quality Technician. He and his partner, along with their two children, now reside in Virginia, where they enjoy exploring State Parks and other outdoor activities.