The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC) presented its annual Plumbing Contractor of the Year Award – sponsored by Delta Faucet – to Jeff Hux, president of Norfolk Plumbing, Inc., in Norfolk, Virginia. To recognize excellence in the plumbing industry, the award – presented October 12 at CONNECT 2018 in Albuquerque, New Mexico – salutes the contractor that best demonstrates professionalism, merchandising and management skills, innovative plumbing skills, trade involvement and community service. 

     As the founder of his family-owned business, Hux relies on a team of highly trained plumbing professionals and a commitment to providing excellent value and service to run a successful business. He and his team have implemented cutting-edge technology and use the latest proven installation methods to streamline processes, increase productivity and deliver first-rate service to their customers.

     Noting that Hux often receives high praise from industry suppliers, vendors and contractors, the nomination by PHCC of Virginia describes Hux as “not just an exceptional tradesman and capable businessman but also a mentor, a leader and a professional worthy of honor.”

     As his company has grown, Hux and his wife, Dee, have become increasingly involved in the Hampton Roads community, supporting organizations such as Children’s Hospital, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Ronald McDonald House.

     Currently, Hux is the president of the Hampton Roads chapter of PHCC of Virginia and a member of the state board. In addition, he is a member of the Virginia Board for Contractors, representing the interests of all licensed plumbers on issues of licensing and regulations.

     As PHCC of Virginia describes, “Jeff Hux is just one of those unique members who steps up when necessary and stands to the side to allow others to shine. He is always willing to help a colleague or an employee within the association or the industry.”

     The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) proudly awarded its annual HVAC Contractor of the Year Award to Mitchell of CroppMetcalfe of Fairfax, VA. 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.

     The primary driver for Cropp-Metcalfe is to establish customers for life by adopting a vision to SERVE our Customers, to SERVE our Co-workers and to SERVE our Company.  They strive to consistently see things through the customer’s eyes.  To achieve this, the company recently invested in technology so customers can schedule calls online.  The system is currently limited to maintenance calls before a full launch.  Those who have used it are extremely happy to bypass waiting on hold and can schedule at whatever time they'd like, whenever they like (it’s surprising how many people schedule their maintenance checks at 2am).  It's a way to be easier to do business with.  Another is paying their bills online.  This again is especially advantageous to the Cropp-Metcalfe service agreement customers when they pay their renewals.  They can log into the website and enter their payment information on a secure platform.

    Under Mitchell Cropp’s direction, Cropp-Metcalfe is an impressive success story.  Starting in 1979, the company is now operating in over 50,000 square feet of office and warehouse space in three locations with over 300 employees operating over 200 service and installations vehicles on the road with over $40 million in sales.  

     "Wanting to be a great company and becoming that company are different things; Mitchell Cropp is a testament to how responsive employees and customers can be when their interests and concerns are at the forefront of business decisions ,” says Susan L. Milhoan, CAE, PMP, Executive Director.   "Mitchell Cropp sees challenges as opportunities and identifies creative and workable solutions, such as the creation of an internal apprenticeship academy well before most others.  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) presented its annual Plumbing Instructor of the Year Award – sponsored by Delta Faucet – to longtime Northern Virginia instructor Michael Hurt (Long's Corp, Fairfax, VA). The award – presented October 11 at CONNECT 2018 in Albuquerque, New Mexico – recognizes and rewards instructors who have dedicated their careers to enriching the lives of plumbing students through outstanding instruction in their field. Nominees must be instructors at a career and technical school, community college, apprenticeship, or adult education program. In addition to having taught in the Fairfax County Public Schools ACE program (apprenticeship program) for 12 years, Mike is a regular state-authorized instructor for continuing education courses mandated by the state for license renewal in Gas, Plumbing, HVAC and Electric.  He also provides continuing education instruction for the Virginia Plumbing and Mechanical Inspectors Association, the Virginia Building Code Officials Association and the National Association of Power Engineers, all without compensation.  He believes that education and code adherence are critical in performing his job.  

     Mike was hired as an instructor for the Fairfax County Public Schools ACE Program at his graduation ceremony, based on his grades and employer recommendation. Fresh from the classroom, he recognized the challenges students may have in understanding concepts of applying them to the job and does his best to introduce real life examples.  During the week he collects picture from jobs he has encountered so he can share them with students and walk them through diagnosis and solutions.

     Mike understands that storytelling can be a powerful teaching tool and often shares stories of jobs he has encountered, both good and bad, helping students understand that their work will be judged by the next tradesman.  His stories provide opportunities for students to identify problems, suggests solutions and recognize consequences.

     His students also report that Mike is always relatable and has counseled them on other aspects of working in the trades.  These “life lessons” have helped many of his students advance and even start their own companies.

     Mike encourages his students to participate in the annual PHCC Plumbing Apprentice Competition as both a learning experience and a competitive challenges.  Each year his students consistently perform well and report that their success is due in large part to their classroom preparation.

    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.

The Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia Chapters each gather once a year to bring contractors, suppliers and customers together onthe golf course for a day of fun.  The Hampton Roads event is held in the Spring while the NOVA event takes place in early October.

oth events feature a shotgun start followed by a full barbecue dinner in the clubhouse  Complete information will be available here when dates are set.

The annual events benefit the state and local apprenticeship program, underwriting the annual Plumbing Apprentice Competition.