Penny McDonald (of Tri-State Painting Co. – Evansville, IN) officially succeeded Peter Cafiero (of Island Painting – New York City, NY) as the 10th Chairman of the Board during the FCA Annual Business Meeting at the 2025 Signatory Contractors’ Conference; she is FCA’s first female chairman. Penny is the third-generation business owner of Tri-State Painting Co., which was originally founded by her grandmother KewBee McDonald in 1961. She has served on the FCA board since 2015, including as Treasurer and Vice Chair. She has actively supported the industry at the local level as a local fund trustee and association leader, and at the national level as an International Pension Fund trustee and LMCI trustee.

“I am deeply humbled and proud to be elected as the next Chairman of FCA International. It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of my esteemed predecessors, whose leadership has been instrumental in shaping our organization,” Penny McDonald said. “As we move forward, I am committed to leading FCA International into the next phase of its existence. Our goal remains to be a valued business resource for signatory finishing contractors across the United States and Canada. We will continue to strive for excellence, providing support and opportunities that enable our contractors to thrive.”

Chairman McDonald added that she is also “eager to work closely with our labor partners to strengthen our partnership. Together, we can create a robust framework that benefits both our contractors and their members, fostering growth and success for all.”

Additionally, Tommy Clerkin (of Ceilings, Inc. – Norristown, PA) and Don Thomas (of Thomas Industrial Coatings – Pevely, MO) joined the FCA Board of Directors. While stepping down as Chairman, Peter Cafiero is continuing as an FCA board member.

New Additions to the FCA Board

Tommy Clerkin, part of the leadership team for Pennsylvania-based Ceilings, Inc., has joined the FCA Board of Directors. Prior to joining the FCA board, Tommy was previously chairman of the FCA International Emerging Leaders’ Network. He was exposed to the construction industry by his father, former FCA Vice Chair Tom Clerkin, and he has now taken over as the next generation of leadership at Ceilings, Inc. FCA is looking forward to the perspective he will bring to the board as a second-generation drywall business leader.

Don Thomas is the president of Missouri-based Thomas Industrial Coatings. He began his career in industrial coatings in 1979, and formed Thomas Industrial Coatings in 1991. Don is an active and respected member in all aspects of the coatings community, and he has been heavily involved in the industry as a leader of his local contracting association and a trustee on local funds. FCA looks forward to Don getting involved at the international level. His expertise and perspective in coatings, training and business will be an asset to the industry nationwide.

New Executive Team

In addition to McDonald’s confirmation as Chairman, the FCA Executive Committee changed. FCA’s Executive Committee is comprised of its Chairman, Vice Chair and Treasurer. Joining McDonald in the executive committee are Brad Pinchot (of Frank Novak & Sons – Cleveland, OH) succeeding McDonald as Vice Chair; and Mark Borgmann (of Leach Painting – Fenton, MO) succeeding Pinchot as Treasurer.

McDonald and Pinchot have previously served on the executive team for the last few years, and their leadership has been instrumental in FCA’s continued development as the business resource for signatory contractors. Borgmann has served on the FCA board since 2017, and he was heavily involved in the formation of FCA’s Young Leaders’ Network (now Emerging Leaders’ Network). The new executive team will continue to push and ask the right questions to ensure signatory contractors’ interests are represented, heard and understood.

History of Leadership Excellence

FCA International has always been driven by the guidance and direction of its contractor leadership and members. FCA is excited to implement this leadership team’s vision for your association and industry.

“Throughout our entire history, FCA International has been blessed with excellent leadership who drive our industry forward,” Anthony Darkangelo, CEO of FCA International said. “Penny is a natural fit to be our next Chairman. She has been highly engaged at both the local and international levels and understands the complexities signatory contractors face.”

“I am confident that Penny and the rest of the FCA leadership team will lead FCA into the next chapter of being the organization that supports signatory contractors’ business needs.”