The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) proudly awarded its annual Plumbing Contractor of the Year Award to Evan Hibbs of Evan Hibbs Plumbing, Portsmouth, Virginia. The award recognizes a contractor member who has made outstanding contributions to the industry, the community and the association.

     As a new construction company with nearly 28 years in the industry, Evan Hibbs Plumbing relies on customer satisfaction and a strong reputation among contractors rather than consumers. Hibbs consistently receives high praise from industry suppliers, vendors, and contractors with his innovative management techniques and office procedures utilizing in-house and off-site personnel training.

     Although tradesmen and apprentices at Evan Hibbs Plumbing have received school-based training, team members also participate in refresher courses, active and documented safety programs, formal toolbox talks and mandatory code and procedure sessions. In addition, Hibbs is an advocate for PHCC’s plumbing apprentice competition with two of his protégés having won state honors.

     Hibbs does not consider himself an innovator but is an early adopter of innovative ideas, new products, techniques, and improved materials. “I am more progressive than most,” he says, “and if it’s a better way, I see no reason not to follow that path.”

     He is an active participant in PHCC at the local and state level and rarely misses CONNECT. He has served in many leadership capacities and is generous with his time, staff and resources. In addition to serving on a variety of code committees, Hibbs also participates in apprentice training opportunities, industry funds, labor negotiations and association leadership.

     This year – for the ninth consecutive year – Evan Hibbs Plumbing will contribute all installation and rough-in work for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway project in Hampton Roads, VA. In addition, Hibbs supports veteran’s groups and scholarships at Tidewater Builders Association.

     Hibbs encouraged PHCC National to create a disaster relief fund to provide immediate assistance to members in need. His initial donation supported members whose businesses were disrupted by Hurricane Katrine in 2005, and the fund is now activated any time a major disaster impacts members.

     PHCC of Virginia's board unanimously named Evan Hibbs as the recipient of state honors for the second year in a row.

     “It is the belief of the Board that Evan is not just an exceptional tradesmen and capable businessman, but a mentor, a leader and a professional worthy of honor,” says Susan Milhoan, CAE, PMP Executive Director.

     “Evan has consistently contributed his time, talent, and the resources of his company to the betterment of PHCC on a local and state level. He maintains the highest of standards and elevates his peers.”

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

     Dan Foley began his career in the HVAC industry in 1988 after completing his degree in Business Management from Virginia Tech. After rising to Vice President at Arlington Heating and A/C, Inc. in just fifteen years, Foley then left to launch his own company – Foley Mechanical, Inc.

     With over 30 years in the trade, Foley knows the key to becoming a successful leader and entrepreneur is to surround yourself with an expert team of professionals then equipping them with the tools and resources they need to be successful.

     His passion for excellence is seen in Foley Mechanical’s commitment to educating the next generation of p-h-c professionals through in-house and factory training. Foley has sent techs to Mitsubishi, Trane, Carrier, NTI, Viessmann, Triangle Tube, Uponor, LG, Peerless, ECR, and PHCC’s one-week Project Management course for supplemental training. Four Foley Mechanical, Inc. technicians are even NATE certified.

     FMI’s marketing strategy is unique in that the company works closely with local architects and engineers as well as with the trade press and editors to have FMI projects featured in trade publications. As a result, over half of FMI’s business is large custom homes, typically with complex systems like radiant, geothermal and large DHW systems. Foley himself usually does the design and drawings, then prepares the job package so that from the beginning, the lead tech has everything needed for the installation, thus streamlining the entire process. 

     Foley has served on local and state PHCC boards for over 10 years, including serving on the NATE board of directors for the last four years, the ACCA national board since 2011, and the local ACCA board (now AACP) since 1997. As a member of the PHCC of Virginia’s Board of Directors, he generously shared his experience and unique perspectives.

     Foley believes in giving back to the community, and this is demonstrated through FMI’s charity work. Team members have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Christmas in April and Serve the Serviceman, a charity that provides maintenance and service calls for families in need.

     “We are fortunate to have Dan among our members,” says Susan L. Milhoan, CAE, PMP, Executive Director.  “We believe he epitomizes the skills and attitude celebrated through the HVAC Contractor of the Year Award.”

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

     The 20 plumbing and 12 HVAC apprentices participating in the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation’s annual Apprentice Contests in October 2017 proved that the future of their industry is in good hands.

     “We’re really fortunate in that we always have great contestants who demand a lot from themselves,” says Merry Beth Hall, the Foundation’s assistant vice president for workforce development. “This year’s competitors were no exception, and the winners are examples of some of the stellar apprentices who rise to the top under the pressure of competition.” The popular contest was held during PHCC’s CONNECT conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

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

• 1st Place HVAC – Sean Dobbs, UA Local 486 (Maryland), sponsored by Milwaukee Tool
• 1st Place Plumbing – Daniel Judd, David N. Judd Plumbing (Virginia), sponsored by Viega, LLC  (shown above) 
• 2nd Place HVAC – Marshall Brahm, UA Local 601 (Wisconsin), sponsored by Daikin North America
• 2nd Place Plumbing – Tony Prins, Domestic Plumbing (Iowa), sponsored by Copper Development Association
• 3rd Place HVAC – Allen Maslo, UA Local 597 (Illinois), sponsored by Emerson
• 3rd Place Plumbing – Ryan Johnson, Michael & Son Services (Virginia), sponsored by Zoeller Pump Co.

The 18-hole golf course at the Cypress Point Country Club facility in Virginia Beach is the site for the 2018 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 event features a shotgun start at 1 pm on April 24 and 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.