The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) proudly awarded its annual HVAC Contractor of the Year Award to Scott Kellam, owner of Kellam Mechanical in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Recognizing excellence in the HVACR industry, the award salutes the contractor best demonstrating professionalism, merchandising and management skills, innovative techniques, trade involvement, and community service.

With strong roots in the trades, Kellam gradually converted his business from new construction to full service. Today, the 20-year-old company employs 25 people and provides heating, air conditioning, electrical, and indoor air quality services to the Southside area of Hampton Roads. Dedicated to high-quality customer service and standing by its “Client Courtesy Promise,” the company holds weekly training sessions for technicians and, when needed, daily one-on-one coaching sessions. High standards are the cornerstone of the business, which routinely invites manufacturers or reps to present new products or processes at employee meetings, incorporates tool box talks to maintain technician confidence, and adopts what it calls “Red Carpet Service” standards when it comes to respecting a customer’s home.

A sports enthusiast and long-time recreational coach, Kellam is personally aware of the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. That translates to the way he runs his business. In an industry with high employee turnover, he is proud of his long-term employees and believes that retention is a result of owner involvement and providing good benefits. “I am accessible, and I am very strict,” he says of his management style. “I really believe both my employees and my clients are my customers, and I try to treat them that way.”

Kellam was instrumental in helping the ACCA Hampton Roads Chapter convert its membership to PHCC of Virginia in 2015. Since becoming active with PHCC, he has chaired the golf outing, participated in identifying membership and chapter programs, and helped develop a scholarship program for local HVAC apprentices. The application form from PHCC of Virginia calls Kellam “an excellent representative of the HVAC industry, a remarkable member of the community in which he lives and works, and an asset to the PHCC of Virginia membership…We are fortunate to have Scott among our members and believe he epitomizes the skills and attitude celebrated through the HVAC Contractor of the Year Award.”

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About Kellam Mechanical

Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Kellam Mechanical is a family-owned heating, air conditioning and electrical company providing service for residential and light commercial properties throughout the Southside area of Hampton Roads including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk and Portsmouth. For more information, visit www.kellammechanical.com

     Daniel Huppert of Unlimited Plumbing and Piping achieved the highest score at the 2016 PHCC national competition October 18-21 in San Antonio, TX.  Huppert was pitted against nearly two dozen other apprentices from around the country in the day long competition.

With 20 of the nation’s best plumbing apprentices showcasing their knowledge and skills in San Antonio, Texas, last week, prize packages went to the top three contest winners. It was all part of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation’s popular Plumbing Apprentice Contest, held each year during PHCC’s CONNECT conference.

Judged by the Foundation’s Plumbing Apprentice and Journeyman Training Committee, winners were:

• 1st Place – Daniel Huppert, Unlimited Plumbing & Piping, Sterling, Virginia (sponsored by Channellock)
• 2nd Place – Isaac Bliek, Midwestern Mechanical, Sioux Falls, South Dakota (sponsored by Delta Faucet Co.)
• 3rd Place – Jorge Martinez, Mauerhan Plumbing, Glendale, California (sponsored by Oatey)

The new 2016 PHCC VA Membership Directories have been sent to members.  Additional copies are available for $5 each.  Want to see what they look like?Check this out!  

The 18-hole golf course at the Cypress Point Country Club facility in Virginia Beach is the site for the 2016 PHCC Hampton Roads Chapter Golf Outing.  The Club is constructed on a large portion of the Sajo Farm, nestled in a quiet, out-of-way, golf and country club community adjoining the Lake Lawson and Lake Smith.

The Virginia Air Distributors-sponsored event features a shotgun start at 1 pm on April 25 is followed by a full barbecue dinner in the clubhouse sponsored by Noland Chesapeake.  Foursomes and sponsorships are still available.  Complete information is available at the website (www.PHCCVA.org) under the calendar tab.  A foursome with a hole sponsorship is just $550.

The annual event benefits the state and local apprenticeship program, underwriting the annual Plumbing Apprentice Competition.  

    If you are a licensed tradesman in Virginia, you know you must take continuing education (CE) courses to maintain licensure through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational (DPOR). Here's some good news:  if you are a PMPV member, you and your employees now get FREE plumbing, HVAC and gas CEs. 

    This new policy established in 2016 represents a considerable value for members.