SUMMER 2017

They juggle the responsibilities of any project manager: coordinating manpower and materials, keeping projects on track, training new hires, estimating new jobs and more, all while balancing the diverse personalities and personal needs of those they supervise.

But when you’re a 30-something responsible for a complex range of duties and personnel – including baby boomers closing in on retirement – the PM playbook can get a little tricky.

“We have to overcome the stereotype that millennials are easy going, that we’re entitled, that the work ethic isn’t there,” says Jordan Pinkston, a project manager with MMM Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning in Amarillo, Texas. “And the only way to get past that is through hard work.”

Pinkston’s philosophy is to prove that those stereotypes are not true across the board … “that we’re here and we’re here to get the job done right, and that comes back to hard work: arrive early, stay late, do whatever needs doing to get the work done and done well.”

In fact, Pinkston’s advice for any young person pursuing project management is to work hard. “I may have to work long hours, whether that is in the office or performing strenuous work in the field, but I am willing to do what my team needs for us to be successful,” he says.

He also stresses that “No job is beneath me. Whether that means cleaning the toilets at the office, pushing a broom or performing an emergency repair at 2 a.m.; we are all here to help each other be successful as a company.”

That discipline, says Pinkston, helps bridge the gap with the baby boomers. “[Baby boomers] have the mindset that millennials have to learn and earn their place” and not simply feel a sense of entitlement. “There has to be a bit of give and

take on both sides,” he adds. “The millennials need to prove themselves through hard work, and the baby boomers have to be more open to passing on their knowledge.”

THE LIFE (AND CHALLENGES!) OF A MILLENNIAL MANAGEROn their way up the career ladder, these young project managers

find ways to convert potential obstacles into opportunities.

EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

FOCUS

Continued on page 2...

Jordan Pinkston

Bryce Irwin

THE PHCC EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION FOCUS | 2

LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD

Bryce Irwin, special projects, plumbing, Farmer & Irwin Corporation in Riviera Beach, Florida, supports that philosophy. While he admits he’s not one to “buy into the whole generational gap controversy,” he agrees that those new to project management have much to learn from older, more experienced workers. “But it isn’t a one-way street,” he says.

“When you approach any relationship – business or otherwise – from a perspective of mutual respect and understanding, you can avoid most conflicts.”

In fact, “leveling the playing field” was just one of the valuable takeaways Irwin cited from the PHCC Educational Foundation’s Essentials of Project Management course (see sidebar).

In that culture of give and take, one of the biggest opportunities some of these project managers embrace is leveraging technology to not only work more efficiently but to make the industry more competitive and attractive to younger generations.

To fine-tune their game plan and gain proven strategies, these young managers recently turned to the PHCC Educational Foundation’s Essentials of Project Management course, led by Kirk Alter of Purdue University. The course offers experienced project managers new ideas on site management, personnel management, scheduling, marketing, cash flow and finances. New project managers (and foremen who are making the transition from the field to the office) gain the know-how they need to manage projects the right way from the start.

“The course did more for me professionally than anything I’ve ever done,” says Pinkston, elaborating that Alter “did an excellent job of loading you with a ton of information on managing employees, contract negotiations, looking at financial statements, and carefully processing change orders in a way that you’re covering all the costs that are actually incurred from whatever you may be doing to make your company more profitable.”

The instructor, Pinkston adds, also offered sound advice for protecting a company’s greatest resource – its people. “He really emphasized making sure that you’re supporting the guys in the field with what they need and when they need it…they’re the ones making you money, and it’s easy to lose focus of that sometimes.”

The next Essentials of PHC Project Management course will be March 28-31, 2018, in Leesburg, Virginia (near Washington Dulles International Airport). Check phccfoundation.org/essentials for more information and other classes.

THE PLAYBOOK: ESSENTIALS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT COURSE

Instructor Kirk Alter leads attendees through a hands-on exercise at the Essentials of Project Management class.

THE PHCC EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION FOCUS | 3

For Will Sramek, a young project manager with Tatro Plumbing Co. in Garden City, Kansas, key opportunities at his level include using total stations (a job site surveying and scanning tool) to improve productivity, as well as “prefab with labeling” to take the guesswork out of the laborers’ hands so they can focus on constructing. “For the most part,

older generations have a harder time with using technology,” he says. “We need to get the paper drawings out of their hands and use tablets to provide and capture the data needed.”

Leveling the playing field between generations is just one of many challenges young project managers face. Indeed, “convincing the older group of employees that there is more than one way of doing things” is a focus for Sramek.

Other opportunities include learning to adapt to deadline and delivery issues, and – as Jordan Pinkston explains – “figuring out how you’re going to effectively communicate the solutions [to those issues] to the guys in the field so you keep the project on track and don’t lose profitability.”

From Pinkston’s perspective, another opportunity for p-h-c project managers – and even entry-level positions – is the flexibility that comes with industry jobs. “If you want to stay

in the town you’re in, you can work there. If you want to be

a commercial plumber, residential plumber or service tech,

you can get into that part of the industry. If you want to work

in larger commercial buildings, you can transition to that.

If you want to get out on the road and travel across the United States, you can have that lifestyle [in this industry].”

Pinkston’s company works with the U.S. government on

multiple international contracts, so his roles at the company

have taken him around the globe. In fact, he’s lived in four

countries on three different continents during his short

career. “I’ve gotten paid to see the world,” he says.

Will Sramek

In late July, the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee selected forty students to be named as our 2017 scholarship winners. Each will receive a scholarship of $1,000 to $5,000, for a total of $87,500 in awards.

Adjustments to our program in recent years have allowed the scholarship committee to increase the number of awards going to apprentices and trade school students who will help to fill open job positions in our industry.

Watch our Facebook page and newsletters for the names of this year’s winners and help us congratulate these students at the Awards Luncheon at PHCC CONNECT 2017.

Our thanks to the sponsors who make these scholarships possible – A.O. Smith, Bradford White, Delta Faucet, RIDGID, Gerry Kennedy, McGlame-Wordell Scholarship Committee, Anne Williams, South Jersey Mechanical Contractors Association, PHCC of Massachusetts Auxiliary, PHCC of Texas Auxiliary, PHCC Past National Officers, plus your gifts to the PHCC Educational Foundation.

BUILDING TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE Record Breaking Number of Apprentices to Receive Foundation Scholarships in 2017

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

52015 2016 2017

15Apprentices

& Trade SchoolStudents

21Apprentices

& Trade SchoolStudents

25Apprentices

& Trade SchoolStudents

21College

Students18

CollegeStudents

15College

Students

2017 Scholarship Winners

25 Apprentices & TradeSchool Students Awarded

$52,000

15 College & UniversityStudents Awarded

$35,500

THE PHCC EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION FOCUS | 4

The PHCC Educational Foundation is proud to announce the launch of our PHCC Academy® Learning Management System (LMS), a new online learning destination for plumbing and HVAC businesses. Through this LMS, apprentices and other learners will have access to high quality training through their computer, tablet or cell phone.

WHAT’S NEW IN THE NEW LMS?

The PHCC Academy® LMS offers an enhanced user experience from start to finish. Students can now be registered directly online, with confirmations sent automatically. And when a student completes all requirements of the course, he or she will be able to print a transcript and certificate of completion for the course directly from the system.

Within the courses, students will find enhanced content; including new videos and PowerPoints for each apprentice textbook chapter, enhanced test banks and review games to assist with retention of key terms and information.

The new LMS will also help to automate the report generation work required for tracking student progress through the courses. Behind the scenes, Foundation staff is working with PHCC chapter executives around the country to make sure that enrolled students and their employers receive consistent support and the progress reports they will need for licensing requirements.

Available from day one are the Plumbing 101 and HVAC 101 apprenticeship courses. The 201 level and other remaining apprenticeship courses will follow, along with a pre-apprenticeship program, with all sections available by the end of 2017. And pending approval from EPA, we will be launching EPA Section 608 training and testing programs in early 2018.

As we move into 2018-19, we will begin to shift from our core programs and expand into business management and other learning opportunities. Staff will begin identifying opportunities to grow the number and variety of courses available through the PHCC Academy® by strategically offering business management seminars and webinar series, modularized learning, and by partnering with the PHCC Quality Service Contractors (QSC) to offer training for service technicians and service & repair focused courses.

For more information, please visit phccfoundation.org/elearning

PRE-FLIGHT CHECK COMPLETE, WE ARE READY FOR LAUNCH! New Foundation Learning Management System Launches September 2017

The Foundation’s online courses can be taken by anyone; however individuals and contractors who want to use it for their apprentices must confirm state approval to use the program before enrolling, as licensing and credentialing rules are different in every state. For the states that do require licensing, the program must be registered with your state’s registration/approval agency to ensure that the credentials issued through the program are recognized for licensing purposes.

While many states do not require licensing, there may be other information to consider, such as portability of the training in case the student later moves to a state that does have licensing requirements. To make the process easier for potential apprentice enrollees, the Foundation is partnering with PHCC chapters across the country to handle registrations for apprentice training at the state level.

To see the list of contacts for state chapters that are partnering to provide our online training, please see phccfoundation.org/elearning. Questions? Please email phccacademy@naphcc.org.

HOW TO SIGN UP!

Image courtesy of NASA

PHCC Academy is a registered trademark of PHCC Educational Foundation

THE PHCC EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION FOCUS | 5THE PHCC EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION FOCUS | 5

The Foundation Board of Directors recently approved a new Strategic Plan to guide our work over the next 3-5 years. Here’s a taste of what to expect from the Foundation in the future.

ONWARD & UPWARD… New Strategic Plan Outlines Our Future Path

HOW TO SIGN UP!

NEW MISSION STATEMENT: The PHCC Educational Foundation provides innovative educational programming to enhance the growth and success of the plumbing and HVACR industry workforce.

NEW VISION: The Foundation sets the standard for industry education and training for the current and future workforce.

Goal: Contractors equally utilize the PHCC Educational Foundation for their HVAC and plumbing training needs.

Objectives Include:

1. Increase participation in existing HVAC programs.

2. Expand relevance of programs targeting HVAC contractors, specifically focused on HVAC Fast Trac, NATE Continuing Education and online offerings.

Goal: The PHCC Educational Foundation is known for programs targeting diverse and underserved populations in the plumbing and HVAC workforce.

Objectives Include:

1. Increase awareness of P-H-C career opportunities among women, minorities, and underserved and at risk youth populations (age 18 – 24).

2. Increase participation in Foundation offerings by the Latino workforce and other diverse groups.

Goal: The PHCC Educational Foundation has the technology and operational infrastructure to support its strategic direction.

Objectives Include:

1. Increase efficiency of program enrollment systems, contribution processing and acknowledgements.

2. Improve online user experience.

3. Increase alignment of governance with strategic direction.

HVAC TRAINING

INFRA- STRUCTURE

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Goal: The Foundation is recognized as the primary source for understanding the career path for the P-H-C industry from introduction to business succession.

Objectives Include:

1. Increase clarity on P-H-C career paths.

2. Increase the number of high schools that utilize Foundation training materials.

3. Increase the connection between current educational offerings and P-H-C career stages and identify gaps.

P-H-C CAREER PATH

THE PHCC EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION FOCUS | 6

TOP 2017 CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS: Kirk & Pam Alter, Laurie & Danny Crigler, Matt Eckhart at Scorpion Home Services, Chip & Susie Greene, Rob Grim at InSinkErator*, Ken Nielsen, Craig & Kathy Lewis, Jason McKinnon at Viega, Nate Oland at Federated Insurance, Rex Martin at NIBCO INC.*, Steve and Isabella Schaefer, Brandon Stepanek at A.O. Smith, PHCC Union Affiliated Contractors, Patrick Wallner, Anne Williams, Henry Wood at Ferguson Enterprises*

FOUNDATION FELLOWS – $1,000: David J. Ariano, Matt Butterly, David & Janet Dugger, Shawn & Matt Erickson, Gary E. Forosisky, Gastonia Sheet Metal Services, Bill & Patty Jones, Frank & Iris Maddalon, PHCC of Iowa, PHCC of Louisiana, Karen Pickett, Ann & Steve Rivers, Joseph Sullivan, Doug Turner, Jo Rae Wagner

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE – $500+: Michael & Heather Appleton, Keith & Linda Bienvenu, Michael Bohinc, Daniel Bonetti, Frank Bracco, Dan Callies, Richard L. Dixon, Michael Dolan, Rhonda & Sam Dowdy, Sr., Fred Falkena, Dan Foley, Patty & Milton Frank, Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association, Merry Beth Hall, Kenny Howes, Doug Isley, Scott & Lois Kissinger, Francis “Butch” McGonegal, John and Gail McWilliams, Diane Mills, Jim Neyer, Skip Pfeffer, PHCC of New Jersey, Russo Bros. & Co., Lawrence Snow, Chris Sproles, Joseph M. Whitney, John Zink

CENTURY CLUB – $100+: Mark R. Aigeldinger, Chris & Todd Allred, Susan Armstrong, Dale L. Arndt, John Breivik, Carl N. Bourgeois, Richard Cancelosi, Theresa Carter, Bill Cawley, III, Dave Chambers, Brenda Dant, Larry D’Ascenzo, Rene Dauterive, Jr., Beth A Dobkin, Nancy L Eberhardt, Gregory J. Faustina, Craig Fellman, Roger Fouche, William and Susan Frew, Jim Fristad, Mike Haggerty, Skylar Halpin, Chad & Amy Hart, Tina Hedrick, Jeff Heger, Joseph Hodes, Todd Iocco, Greg Joyce, Richard G. Jurzyk, Jr, James J. Kreifels, Rob Kreutzer, Jeff Kuhn, Laura Latora, William Leydon, Earl “Tommy” Luminais, Robert J. Macca, Tom Mahoney, Dave & Marianne Marquez, John J. Maurer, Glenn Mesick of Bradford White, Brandon Morrison, Paul Nebrasky, Josh Nelson, Jim Neyer, Brian Nieman, Northern Mech & Plbg Contractors Assn, PHCC of Metro New Orleans, PHCC of Nevada, PHCC Wisconsin Association, Herbert L. Phillips, Vincent Pierangali, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union #9, Beverly Potts & Becky Davis, David R. Powers, II, Joseph W. Rascher, Thomas C Rechtin, Tom Riches & Ron Evans, Fred & Rhonda Robillard, Jerome Sabol, George Salet, Shawn Schwoyer, Cindy Sheridan, Kimberly Shoemaker, Larry Edwin Shoemaker, Tracy Threlfall, PHCC of Nevada, Dave Waggoner, Dick Wilson, Michelle Wittig

SUSTAINING DONORS – UP TO $99: Tyler Arndt, Bob Barnes, Ryan Carney, William C. Diamond, John & Vickie Geyer, gFour Marketing Group, CJ Jackson, Laura Latora, Lee Moore, Jake Newman, PHCC of Washington State, Steve Pullman, George Salet, Bob Siepler, Rick Wilson

In Memory of Rich Kammerer

A.O. Smith Water Products, Susan Armstrong, Ergos Software, Dale L. Arndt, Tyler Arndt, Bob Barnes, Keith & Linda Bienvenu, Daniel Bonetti, John Breivik, Dan Callies, Bill Cawley, Dave Chambers, Laurie & Danny Crigler, William C. Diamond, Richard L. Dixon, Beth A Dobkin, Rhonda & Sam Dowdy, Sr., Matt Eckhart, Roger Fouche, Patty & Milton Frank, William and Susan Frew, John & Vickie Geyer, Skylar Halpin, Chad & Amy Hart, Tina Hedrick, Jeff Heger, Joseph Hodes, Kenny Howes, Doug Isley, CJ Jackson, gFour Marketing Group, Scott & Lois Kissinger, Jeff Kuhn, Laura Latora, Craig & Kathy Lewis, Robert J. Macca, Tom Mahoney, Dave & Marianne Marquez, Glenn Mesick of Bradford White, Lee Moore, Brandon Morrison, Paul Nebrasky, Josh Nelson, Jake Newman, Jim Neyer, Karen Pickett, Jerome Sabol, George Salet, Shawn Schwoyer, Scorpion Home Services, Larry Edwin Shoemaker, Bob Siepler, Lawrence Snow, Patrick Wallner, Rick Wilson, John Zink

In Memory of A. Ray Tolar

Keith & Linda Bienvenu, Carl N. Bourgeois, Rene Dauterive, Earl “Tommy” Luminais, PHCC of Metro New Orleans, Fred & Rhonda Robillard; Billingsley, Barbot, Woolf, Canale, LLC

In Memory of Fran Williams

Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Assoc., Bill & Patty Jones, Craig & Kathy Lewis, Joe Whitney, Anne Williams, John Zink

MEMORIAL GIFTS:

2017 INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS As of July 28, 2017

*2017 Lead Matching Gift Sponsors

You can give securely online at phccfoundation.org/invest or complete the form below. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please make checks payable to the PHCC Educational Foundation & return to: 180 S. Washington St., Suite 100, Falls Church, VA 22046. Questions? (800) 533-7694.

Name: __________________________________________________ Date: ______________________

Company: ______________________________________________ Phone: ______________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: ________________________________________________________________________

This Gift is Made q in Honor of q in Memory of ________________________________________________________

My 2017 Annual Campaign Gift – Charge My: q MC q Visa q Amex q Check Enclosed

Card #: _____________________________________ Exp. Date: ________ Signature: _____________________________

ONE TIME GIFT

q $50 (Sustaining Donor) q $100 (Century Club) q $1,000 (Foundation Fellow)

q $500 (Chairman’s Circle) q $250 (Century Club) q Other: $______________

Please scan this form or take a clear picture of it and visit http://tinyurl.com/PHCCGiftUpload to upload it directly to us. You can also fax it to 703-237-7442 or e-mail it to foundation@naphcc.org.

Your Gift Provides Critical Funding for

Professional Contractor Education from the PHCC Educational Foundation

Scholarships for Students from the PHCC National Auxiliary Scholarship Program

GUIDE THE NEXT GENERATION OF SKILLED WORKERS

TO THE HEIGHTSOF OUR TRADE!

INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGNBOOSTING THE IMPACT OF YOUR GIFT WITH ONE-THIRD MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS:

INSINKERATOR, FERGUSON AND NIBCO !

Skip Pfeffer, In Honor of Craig Lewis’s Appointment as Foundation Chairman

Doug Turner, In Honor of Bill Jones

Anne Williams, In Honor of Cindy & Kevin Sheridan’s Anniversary and In Honor of Mary Garvelink’s Honorary Doctorate from Ferris State University

GIFTS MADE IN HONOR OF:

Matt Butterly, In Memory of Sean and Jim Butterly

Michael Bohinc, In Memory of Vince Conkey

Brenda Dant, In Memory of Luke Mehringer

Larry D’Ascenso, In Memory of Andy D’Ascenso

Michael Dolan, In Memory of Jack Dolan

Chip & Susie Greene, In Memory of Dorothy Clark

Kenny Howes, In Memory of Kenneth “Pops” Mallick

John J. Maurer, In Memory of Edward L. Maurer

Jim Neyer, In Memory of Ken Neyer, Sr.

Joseph J. Sullivan, In Memory of Anne T. Sullivan

PHCC Wisconsin Association, In Memory of Helmut Kuhn

OTHER MEMORIALS:

Bev Potts & Becky Davis, In Memory of Walt Aerne, In Memory of Mary Alice Weaver, and In Memory of John Turner

180 S. Washington St Suite 100 Falls Church, VA 22046

FOCUS NEWSLETTERSUMMER 2017

Email: foundation@naphcc.orgWeb: PHCCFoundation.orgPhone: 703-237-8100 Toll-Free: 800-533-7694 Fax: 703-237-7442

Connect With Us...PHCC Educational Foundation

Social Media, Video, Pictures: youtube.com/user/PHCCEFfacebook.com/PHCCEducationalFoundationflickr.com/photos/PHCCEducationalFoundation twitter.com/PHCCFoundation

Your Contributions to the PHCC Educational FoundationCreate Educational Opportunities at Every Level of Our Profession

Workforce Development

Skills USA and Apprentice Contests

ScholarshipsApprentice

TrainingManager Training

Business Owner Education

PHCCareers.com