PHCC

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC) honored Daniel Judd of Leesburg, Virginia, with its annual Plumbing Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by Delta Faucet. The award was presented on October 12 at CONNECT 2018 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

After his fourth year in a certified apprenticeship program was completed (Fairfax County Public Schools’ ACE Program), Judd began to work full time for his family’s business, David Judd Plumbing, serving Northern Virginia since 1992.

From an early age, Judd was exposed to the plumbing industry by shadowing his father – master plumber David Judd – and credits his dad with inspiring him to pursue the trades. “One of my earliest memories was going to a job site with my father. It was a new house, and my dad immediately handed me a shovel and put me to work, telling me I needed to dig a trench from here to here,” Judd says. By the end of that day, Judd admits that he had a sense of satisfaction that he had completed a job and done it well. “I think that was when my appreciation for hard work began,” he says.

During his last two years of high school, he enrolled at Monroe Technical Center in the HVAC program and went on to earn an associate degree in business management. He is currently pursuing a degree in accounting.

Judd joined the Fairfax County Public Schools Plumbing Apprentice Program in 2015 and “impressed both his instructors and classmates with his ‘can-do’ attitude, high standards, drive to get the job done right and willingness to share his on-the job successes and challenges,” as was noted during the PHCC Awards Luncheon at CONNECT 2018.

Judd competed in the 2017 PHCC Educational Foundation Plumbing Apprentice Contest during CONNECT 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and earned first-place honors. In March 2018, he earned first place in the Virginia Plumbing Apprentice Competition and was named PHCC of Virginia’s 2018 Plumbing Apprentice of the Year.

Today, as an employee in a family business, Judd knows how to get along with the most challenging co-workers: siblings. His older and younger brothers are part-time workers in the business and Judd often has to supervise them. “I think it’s a shared respect for my father that makes it all work,” says Judd.

HVAC Contest Winner Josiah Tiegs with PHCC Educational Foundation Chair Craig Lewis and HVAC Contest Committee Chair Scott Balmer.

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors — National Association’s (PHCC) Educational Foundation is proud to announce the winners of HVAC Apprentice Contest Winners the national plumbing and HVAC apprentice contests.

The contests were held October 10^th & 11^th in Albuquerque, N.M. on the tradeshow floor during the PHCC—National Association’s CONNECT 2018 event. A total of nineteen plumbing and ten HVAC apprentices from across the nation took part in the contests.

HVAC Apprentice Contest Winners

• 1^st Place: Josiah Tiegs, McDowall Comfort Management in Waite Park, Minn., Sponsored by Brasscraft Manufacturing
• 2nd: Daniel Deneve, GSM Services in Gastonia, N.C., Sponsored by NIBCO
• 3rd: Jeffrey Deuel, American Mechanical Services in Denver, Colo., Sponsored by Milwaukee Tool

Plumbing Apprentice Contest Winners

• 1^st Place: James Houser, Local 27 in Pittsburgh, Pa., Sponsored by A. O. Smith
• 2nd: Kyle Mao, Lange Plumbing in Las Vegas, Nev., sponsored by AB&I Foundry
• 3rd: Steven Kroope, Deluxe Plumbing & Heating in Bethlehem, Pa., Sponsored by Reed Manufacturing

The HVAC competitors were required to complete a written test, demonstrate proper brazing techniques and perform a hands-on diagnostic on an HVAC package unit, with system errors created by the Foundation’s contractor volunteers for the competition. The competitors also had to perform a pressure and leak test, demonstrate proper refrigerant recovery procedures and the ability to accurately take a variety of instrument readings.

Plumbing Contest Winner James Houser with PHCC Educational Foundation Chair Craig Lewis and Plumbing Contest Committee Chair Jim Steinle.

The plumbing apprentices were required rough-in a bathroom system. The set-up includes a toilet, sink and shower, complete with supply, waste and vent lines, plus cleanouts and extra features designed to test the contestants’ knowledge and skills. The test set-up includes a variety of pipe materials – cast iron, copper, PVC and PEX, and corresponding joining methods.contractor volunteers for the competition.

A dedicated team of contractor volunteers arrived two days before the competitions to assemble the competitor test benches, distribute the materials and supplies and setup the testing areas. They monitor the competitions, evaluate the apprentices’ work and provide constructive feedback on each competitor’s performance following the event.

The contests are made possible by the generous support of several industry sponsors who provide monetary support and in-kind material and tool donations. Sponsors for the 2018 competition included, AB&I Foundry; A. O. Smith; Bradford White Corp.; BrassCraft Manufacturing Co.; Copper Development Association, Inc.; Daikin; Delta Faucet Co.; Emerson; Fluke, Greene and Associates; IPS Corporation; KOHLER Company; Mechanical Hub Media; Milwaukee Tool; NATE; NIBCO INC.; Oatey; R.E.C. Industries; Reed Manufacturing Co.; RIDGID; State Water Heaters; Tyler Pipe & Coupling; Uponor; Viega, LLC; and Zoeller Pump Company.

Milwaukee Tool made a major contribution to the Plumbing Apprentice Contest this year by donating twenty of their M18 Force Logic Press Tools and jaw kits, with a retail value exceeding $60,000 total. This gift allowed the competitors to gain experience and prove their skill with making press connections during the plumbing competition and will be used in future competitions as well.

Fourth year apprentice, Chris Pinette with E.H. Marchant Co., a union contractor through the local 12, based out of Quincy, Mass. was sponsored by Mechanical Hub Media.

“These contests are an incredible demonstration of the opportunities that exist because of the Foundation,” reports Foundation Chair Craig Lewis. “You have these amazing apprentices from all over the country coming here to show off their skills. The sponsors are so generous with their support. And then our volunteer committee members and staff are pulling it all together in a new exhibit hall every year. It really is quite a thing to see and I’m very proud everyone involved with these competitions.”

Twelve top plumbing and HVACR students received honors in the plumbing and HVACR competitions of the annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Contest, held June 25-29 in Louisville, Kentucky.

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.

Plumbing competitors and their advisors participated in a tour of nearby Zoeller Pump Company as a part of their contest experience this year, learning about how pumps operate and are manufactured.

Throughout the week, nearly 6,200 secondary and post-secondary career and technical education students competed in more than 100 trades contests. This year’s plumbing honors went to:

1st Place Secondary – Nolan Moore, North Cobb High School, Kennesaw, Georgia
· 1st Place Post-Secondary – Keith Ashby, Davis Technical College, Kaysville, Utah
· 2nd Place Secondary – Benjamin Thibodeau, H. H. Ellis Technical High School, Danielson, Connecticut
· 2nd Place Post-Secondary – Brian Ehly, Williamson College of the Trades, Media, Pennsylvania
· 3rd Place Secondary – Michael Doherty, Burlington County Institute of Technology, Westhampton, New Jersey
· 3rd Place Post-Secondary – James Tarver, Manatee Technical College, Bradenton, Florida
This year’s HVACR honors went to:

· 1st Place Secondary – Ian McCleese, Collins Career Center, Chesapeake, Ohio
· 1st Place Post-Secondary – Casey Dowell, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, McKenzie, Tennessee
· 2nd Place Secondary – Jonathan Link, Waterloo High School, Waterloo, Illinois
· 2nd Place Post-Secondary – Owen Dougherty, Penn College of Technology, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
· 3rd Place Secondary – Bryant Crow, Ozarks Technical Community College-Career Center, Springfield, Missouri
· 3rd Place Post-Secondary – Blaine Feeler, State Technical College of Missouri, Linn, Missouri
Technical committee members for this year’s event included:

Robyn Bucknam, DEWALT, Mooresville, North Carolina (plumbing)
Bob Carpenter, SharkTech Academy, Atlanta, Georgia (plumbing)
Angela Collins, PHCC Educational Foundation, Falls Church, Virginia (plumbing)
Michael Copp, PHCC – National Association, Falls Church, Virginia (plumbing)
Danny Crigler, L & D Associates, Inc., Aroda, Virginia (plumbing)
Lynn Faulkner, Kentucky Association of Master Contractors, Frankfort, Kentucky (plumbing)
Roman Grier, Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, Atlanta, Georgia (plumbing)
Robert Hahn, Co-Chair, Eastwick College, HoHoKus School of Trades, Union, New Jersey (plumbing)
Merry Beth Hall, Co-Chair, PHCC Educational Foundation, Falls Church, Virginia (plumbing)
Victor Hatcher, Tyler Pipe and Coupling, Tyler, Texas (plumbing)
Harold Moret, Copper Development Association, Atlanta, Georgia (plumbing)
Ryan North, SharkTech Academy, West Palm Beach, Florida (plumbing)
Dale Powell, Copper Development Association, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (plumbing)
Tony Senninger, Senninger Plumbing Co., Louisville, Kentucky (plumbing)
Ron Shanaver, Milwaukee Tool, Brookfield, Wisconsin (plumbing)
Jamie Simpson, Schaal Heating & Cooling, Des Moines, Iowa (HVACR)
Maureen Vasquez, PHCC Educational Foundation, Falls Church, Virginia (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; AB&I Foundry; American Supply Association; Bradford White; Copper Development Association, Inc.; Kohler; Tyler Pipe and Coupling; Viega, LLC; and Zoeller Pump Co.

Additional prizes, materials and on-site support provided by: A. O. Smith; AB&I Foundry; American Supply Assn.; BrassCraft Manufacturing Co.; Calculated Industries; Carhartt; Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute; Charlotte Pipe & Foundry; Copper Development Assn.; DEWALT Tools & Accessories; Irwin Industrial Tools; Kentucky Assn. of Master Contractors; Kohler; Lenox; Matheson Gas; Milwaukee Tool; Oatey; PHCC Educational Foundation; Plumbers Supply Co.; Reliance Worldwide Corp./SharkBite; RIDGID; Rothenberger USA; Senninger Plumbing Co.; Sioux Chief Manufacturing Co.; Southwire; Tyler Pipe and Coupling; UA Local 502; Viega, LLC; and Zoeller Pump Co.

Washington—With more than more than 100 PHCC contractors, state and local chapter executives, and p-h-c industry partners descending on Capitol Hill last month for the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors (PHCC) Legislative Conference, the message is quite clear: the future starts now.

PHCC National President Laurie Crigler set the tone for the event prior to meetings on Capitol Hill, as p-h-c industry partners delivered a unified message to members of Congress about ongoing challenges that will have a long-term impact on the p-h-c industry and the country. “Politics is NOT a spectator sport and your involvement is key to successful advocacy at all levels—local, state and national. None of this works without you,” she said.

PHCC and its advocacy group on the steps of Capitol Hill.

Moreover, PHCC continues to educate members of congress of the tremendous opportunities within the plumbing and HVAC trades, “Part of the answer to job growth in this country has to be the continued development of the skilled trades. It’s not just talk anymore,” says Mark Riso, Vice President of Legislative Affairs, PHCC.

PHCC members expressed key support for workforce development through the Promoting Real Opportunity Success and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER). Riso added that he is happy with the “positive knowledge on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers continue to look at apprenticeship programs.”

Zach Boren, Director of Policy and Standards for the Office of Apprenticeship for the Department of Labor, shared the latest from the Department’s Task Force on Apprenticeship expansion. While citing statistics, Boren noted that more than six million jobs are unfilled and more than eight million workers lack the necessary credentials.  “Apprenticeships are the key to closing the nation’s skills gap as they are a customizable, flexible and proven business-driven model for developing workers,” Boren said.

PHCC vice president of Legislative Affairs, Mark Riso and PHCC president, Laurie Crigler.

In the coming months, the department will support innovative, work-based learning approaches, technology modernization, and state initiatives to expand apprenticeship programs. By modernizing the government’s role in apprenticeships while developing new programs, they expect to achieve President Trump’s goal of attracting one million new apprentices over the next five years. This fall, the Department of Labor will again host National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) to highlight the benefits of apprenticeship.

In addition to workplace development in the trades, during several events and meetings with Congressional members and their staff, PHCC members advocated for increased water system infrastructure spending, and career and technical education, while thanking congressional members for recently passed tax reform.

Rep. David Schweirkert (R-AZ)

PHCC also expressed support for workforce development though reauthorization of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). Members of Congress are aware of the country’s infrastructure problems, and Riso reiterates that they are not taking for granted the shape of the water systems in this country. “Flint was a wake-up call; we are impressed with members of the Hill’s knowledge of the degradation of the country’s water systems, and the steps needed to resolve the overall problem,” says Riso.

At the Congressional Breakfast, guest speaker Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) gave his insights into the president’s infrastructure initiative, stating, “We’ve been living off the infrastructure investments of our parents and grandparents, and haven’t been making the same investments (as they have).”  Costa added that Congress will need to figure out how federal components can help fund infrastructure improvements, “and this can only happen in a bi-partisan fashion.”

One of the highlights of this year’s conference was the annual Congressional Reception at Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill.  Several members of Congress including Rep. Steve Chabot, Rep. Tom O’Halleran and Rep. David Schweikert attended the reception and spoke in favor of PHCC’s support of WIFIA and the PROSPER Act.

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)

Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ), who serves on the House Ways and Means Tax Reform Subcommittee, gave a behind-the-scenes look at the complexities involved with passing the massive tax reform bill. “The first step was to pass tax reform,” he said. “The calculator won. Now we can start seeing some great things in our society.”

PHCC’s next legislative event in 2018 will be an education session at CONNECT 2018, “Decoded: Legislative and Regulatory Rules and Regulations Solved!” during which Riso and vice president of Regulatory Affairs Chuck White will explain the complex rules and regulations that keep contractors up at night. The next PHCC Legislative Conference is scheduled May 7-8, 2019, on Capitol Hill.

“PHCC is a conduit to help its members partner with lawmakers; to partner with the process to be able to design laws and rules to improve the quality of life for everybody,” says Riso.