This agreement will foster collaboration to benefit the plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas industries On April 15, 2025, the International Code Council and United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) signed an agreement that underscores both organizations’ unwavering commitment to the hardworking tradesmen and tradeswomen Read more
apprentices
This agreement will foster collaboration to benefit the plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas industries
On April 15, 2025, the International Code Council and United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) signed an agreement that underscores both organizations’ unwavering commitment to the hardworking tradesmen and tradeswomen of the plumbing, mechanical fuel gas (PMG) industries.
The UA represents approximately 384,000 plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, HVACR service technicians, welders and pipeliners working in the construction industry throughout North America.
This collaboration underscores the Code Council’s commitment to supporting skilled trades and producing more well-rounded PMG-related codes, standards and other industry publications. The Code Council and the UA will continue to work together to help train the next generation of plumbers, pipefitters and mechanical contractors. Under this agreement, both organizations will advocate for improved plumbing infrastructure that supports public health.
“This collaborative effort reflects the Code Council’s deep understanding of the critical role skilled labor plays in shaping safe, sustainable and resilient communities,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer, John Belcik. “It’s a testament to our shared mission—to elevate codes and standards, uphold safety and foster a thriving labor force that reflects the future of our industry.”
“The men and women of the United Association are the best-trained and most highly skilled craftspeople in the world, and we are proud to work each day to protect the health of our nations,” said Mark McManus, General President of the United Association. “Our partnership with the Code Council will ensure that we continue this important work keeping our communities safe and upholding the highest codes and standards. We are thrilled to enter into this agreement and to ensure that the voices of the men and women performing this work is well-represented in the codes and standards that govern our industry.”
Birmingham, Ala., rolls out the crimson red carpet for Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) and its attendees. “The Magic City” played host to the annual PHCC CONNECT show and the city pulled out all the stops. With mild October temperatures, it was the perfect setting to connect with fellow attendees and soak in the vibrant culture Read more
Birmingham, Ala., rolls out the crimson red carpet for Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) and its attendees.
“The Magic City” played host to the annual PHCC CONNECT show and the city pulled out all the stops. With mild October temperatures, it was the perfect setting to connect with fellow attendees and soak in the vibrant culture of Birmingham.
The CONNECT show began with an opening reception at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum—recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest motorcycle collection and home to other rare cars—and ended with an Alabama Tailgate Party at Birmingham Citywalk, where visitors could enjoy an array of food trucks serving local delicacies and engage in fun games.
The trade show floor was buzzing with latest in products and technology. New this year—although one needed to be a member to gain full access to the entire CONNECT experience—the Products & Technology Showcase floor was open free of charge to local walk-ins. This indeed brought in dozens more from the greater Birmingham area.
“This is the best place to do all of the networking,” says Erica Barnes, president, General Plumbing & Air Conditioning, Inc., Lake Worth, Fla. “I love getting new ideas form the floor and seeing what’s developing over time, such as artificial intelligence (AI) or seeing what new tools are coming out.”
A cool moment during PHCC president Joe Cornetta’s CONNECT opener, 94-year-old James Lindsey of Lindsey Brothers Plumbing and Heating in Norfolk, Va., was recognized for his contributions to PHCC and the industry. Starting his plumbing career at 16, he founded his own business, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2026.
The annual CONNECT Show opens with an opening breakfast emceed by Bruce Carnevale, CEO, Bradford White, a staunch supporter of the association and the skilled trades. Carnevale gave an update on the company and talked about the impending NAECA 4 regulations coming down the pike in 2029, with the eventual movement away from atmospheric venting to all condensing. The Department of Energy (DOE) says the standards will require minor updates to gas-fired storage water heaters, while electric storage water heaters more than 35 gallons will require heat pump technology.
A yearly staple at the CONNECT show is the PHCC Educational Foundation’s National Plumbing and HVACR apprentice contests where plumbing apprentices roughed-in a bathroom—including the drain, waste and vent lines, a toilet, a sink and shower. HVACR apprentices demonstrated their knowledge with a written test, and put their hands-on skills to the test with brazing, pressure testing, refrigerant recovery, and diagnosing and repairing a package unit system. This year, Logan Cunningham with John J. Maurer Inc., Cataumet, Mass., took top prize for plumbing, while Dane Gonser with Emcor Services Fagan, Kansas City, Kansas, was the winner of the HVAC portion.
This year’s theme, “Authentic Connections,” highlighted the importance of building trust and fostering relationships within the industry. From the daily keynotes featuring best-selling author and Navy commander Mary Kelly, who uncovered the key factors behind leadership success and failure to Jeff Butler, who with the help of the three “Cs”—cadence, collaboration and communication—explored actionable strategies to effectively manage cross-generational challenges and leverage the diversity of your multi-generational workforce as a competitive advantage.
Another highly informative and interactive session featured some of the industry’s most recognizable social media personalities who gave advice in a session aptly named, “What the Hell Is an Influencer?” In addition to friends George DeJesus, George’s Drains LLC, Morris County, N.J., and Mike Prencavage Jr., The Family Plumber, Los Alamitos, Calif., last-minute, heavy-hitter fill-ins, Dustin Van Orman, Any Hour Services, Orem Utah, and Roger Wakefield, Richardson, Tex., stepped in to inform attendees how to use social media in an effective way, for business of course.
The final keynote on reverse mentoring, moderated by yours truly, featured Erica Barnes, president, General Plumbing & Air Conditioning; Daniel Birmingham, project manager, JRC Mechanical, Chesapeake, Va.; Chris Johnson, owner, Charles Chester Plumbing & Heating, Elko, Nev.; Chase Johnson, general manager, Charles Chester Plumbing & Heating; and Tyler Arndt, Arndt & Sons Plumbing, Brooklyn, Wis., as they shared their experiences and how their ideas and contributions could help their companies thrive in the future.
Also new this year to CONNECT was live podcasting from the tradeshow floor. The magic of spontaneous discussions, solutions, and insights came alive with some of the industry’s top podcasters. These media personalities hosted high-profile guests as they shared their particular insights to the industry.
Oh, and why is Birmingham called the Magic City, you may ask? Including other names such as “The Iron City” or “The Pittsburgh of the South,” Birmingham is referenced as the Magic City because its soil contained the three necessary elements to produce steel: limestone, coal and iron ore.
Next year’s CONNECT will take place in Grand Rapids, Mich.
RIDGID® has awarded four scholarships through the Educational Foundation of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors – National Association (PHCC) to students enrolled in plumbing-heating-cooling apprentice programs. PHCC administers the scholarship program, which is designed to attract new talent essential to the future of the plumbing and HVACR industry, and is also responsible for selecting the award winners Read more
RIDGID® has awarded four scholarships through the Educational Foundation of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors – National Association (PHCC) to students enrolled in plumbing-heating-cooling apprentice programs. PHCC administers the scholarship program, which is designed to attract new talent essential to the future of the plumbing and HVACR industry, and is also responsible for selecting the award winners. Scholarship recipients will receive up to $1,000 in tuition assistance and $1,500 in RIDGID tools. RIDGID has proudly supported this scholarship program since 2011.
“Contractors are desperately seeking skilled workers to hire,” said Christopher Burton, global director of brand management for RIDGID. “These scholarships help to get skilled workers trained and prepared, with quality tools in hand, to fill those open positions in our industry.”
The 2015 scholarship recipients are:
- Brian Cates of Sacramento, Calif. is working for PHCC member Calidad Plumbing in Folsom and is enrolled as a plumbing apprentice at the PHCC GSA Apprentice Program.
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Andrew Kappelmeier of Landenberg, Pa. is pursuing a degree in HVAC Technology at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
- Gary Quintana of El Cajon, Calif. is working for PHCC member Drum Plumbing in San Diego and is enrolled as a plumbing apprentice at the PHCC Academy of San Diego.
- Brandon Ramos, Jr. of Spring Valley, CA is working for PHCC member BP Plumbing in San Diego and is enrolled as a plumbing apprentice at the PHCC Academy of San Diego.
For additional information about RIDGID, please visit www.RIDGID.com, call toll-free: 1-800-769-7743, or contact RIDGID, 400 Clark St., Elyria, Ohio 44035 U.S.A.
About PHCC Educational Foundation®
PHCC Educational Foundation, a partnership of contractors, manufacturers, and wholesalers, was founded in 1987. Its purpose is to serve the plumbing-heating-cooling industry by providing educational tools and preparing contractors and their employees to meet the challenges of a constantly changing marketplace. For more information contact a member of the Foundation staff at (800) 533-7694 or visit phccfoundation.org.
About RIDGID®
RIDGID®, a business unit of Emerson®, headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer of innovative tools and equipment for the professional trades. The company’s broad offering of more than 300 types of tools serves the demanding needs of customers in the commercial, industrial and energy markets in over 140 countries. For more information, visit RIDGID.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other popular social media sites.
Twelve top plumbing and HVACR students received honors in the plumbing and HVACR competitions of the annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Contest, held last week in Louisville, Ky. The PHCC Educational Foundation supports the plumbing and HVACR contests each year. The Foundation’s Plumbing Apprentice and Journeyman Training Committee makes up the majority of the Read more
Twelve top plumbing and HVACR students received honors in the plumbing and HVACR competitions of the annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Contest, held last week in Louisville, Ky.
The PHCC Educational Foundation supports the plumbing and HVACR contests each year. The Foundation’s Plumbing Apprentice and Journeyman Training Committee makes up the majority of the SkillsUSA Plumbing Technical Committee, and members were on hand to set up and help with contest judging. The PHCC Educational Foundation also has a representative on the SkillsUSA HVACR Technical Committee, who assists with set up and contest judging.
Throughout the week, nearly 6,100 secondary and postsecondary career and technical education students competed in more than 100 trades contests. This year’s plumbing honors went to:
1st Place Secondary – Robert Fluke, Upper Cape Regional, Bourne, Mass.
1st Place Post-Secondary – Jesse Hornback, Elizabethtown Technical College, Elizabethtown, Ky.
2nd Place Secondary – Christian Weeks, Papillon LaVista South High School, Papillon, Neb.
2nd Place Post-Secondary – Jonathan Hill, Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, Ogden, Utah
3rd Place Secondary – Mason Steiner, Paso Robles High School, Paso Robles, Cal.
3rd Place Post-Secondary – Travis Slankard, Kansas City (KS) Community College Technical Education Center, Kansas City, Kan.
This year’s HVACR honors went to:
1st Place Secondary – Andrew Shupert, Warren County Career Center, Lebanon, Ohio
1st Place Post-Secondary – Matthew Boden, Mitchell Technical Institute, Mitchell, S.D.
2nd Place Secondary – Krzysztof Zamajtys, Eastern Suffolk BOCES – Milliken Technical Center, Oakdale, N.Y.
2nd Place Post-Secondary – Josiah Tiegs, Saint Cloud Technical and Community College, Saint Cloud, Minn.
3rd Place Secondary – Dustin Curtis, Red River Technology Center, Duncan, Okla.
3rd Place Post-Secondary – Brandon Martin, Rowan Cabarrus Community College, Salisbury, N.C.
Technical committee members for this year’s event included:
· Robyn Bucknam, DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., Mooresville, N. C. (plumbing)
· Bob Carpenter, SharkTech Academy, Atlanta, Ga. (plumbing)
· Danny Crigler, L & D Associates, Inc., Aroda, Va. (plumbing)
· Laurie Crigler, L & D Associates, Inc., Aroda, Va. (plumbing)
· Robert Hahn, Co-Chair, Eastwick College, HoHoKus School of Trades, Union, N. J. (plumbing)
· Merry Beth Hall, Co-Chair, PHCC Educational Foundation, Falls Church, Va. (plumbing)
· Victor Hatcher, Tyler Pipe and Coupling, Tyler, Tex. (plumbing)
· Tim House, Kentucky Association of Master Contractors, Frankfort, Ky. (plumbing)
· Bill Jones, Raven Mechanical, Houston, Texas (plumbing)
· Stephanie Kamba, Milwaukee Electric Tool Co., Brookfield, Wis. (plumbing)
· Harold Moret, Copper Development Association, Braselton, Ga. (plumbing)
· Dennis Peters, DKP Plumbing, Paso Robles, Cal. (plumbing)
· Patrick Peterson, SharkTech Academy, Atlanta, Ga. (plumbing)
· Dale Powell, Copper Development Association, Harrisburg, Pa. (plumbing)
· Joe Pritchard, Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, Waterford, Wis. (plumbing)
· Tony Senninger, Senninger Plumbing Co., Louisville, Ky. (plumbing)
· Jamie Simpson, Schaal Heating & Cooling, Des Moines, Iowa (HVACR)
· Jim Steinle, Atomic Plumbing, Virginia Beach, Va. (plumbing)
· James Walls, Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, Garland, Texas (plumbing)
The plumbing competition was made possible by the following generous industry sponsors:
Headline Sponsors: A. O. Smith; American Supply Association; Copper Development Association, Inc.; Kohler; Viega, LLC; and Zoeller Pump Co.
Additional prizes, materials and on-site support provided by: A. O. Smith; American Supply Assn.; BrassCraft Manufacturing Co.; Caddy; Calculated Industries; Carhartt; Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute; Charlotte Pipe & Foundry; Copper Development Assn.; Delta Faucet Company; DEWALT Tools & Accessories; Harris Products Group; Irwin Industrial Tools; Kentucky Assn. of Master Contractors; Kohler; Lenox; Matheson Gas; MILWAUKEE TOOL; NIBCO, Inc.; Oatey; PHCC Educational Foundation; PHCC – National Association; Plumbers Supply Co.; RIDGID/Ridge Tool Company; Rothenberger USA; Senninger Plumbing Co.; SharkBite; Sioux Chief Manufacturing Co.; Tyler Pipe; UA Local 502; Viega, LLC; and Zoeller Pump Co.