By Mark Ingrao, Chief Executive Officer
THANK YOU to our Valued Partners
Strategic Partner: Bradford White Corporation
Corporate Partners: A.O. Smith, Federated Insurance, International Code Council, InSinkErator, Kohler Co., Milwaukee Tool, Rheem and Scorpion
A Word of Congratulations and Thanks
As I begin 2022 as your new CEO, I am filled with so much optimism about the future of the p-h-c industry and your association. Before I tell you why, let me first recognize the great work that was done prior to my arrival.
Congratulations to Michael Copp and his wife Polly on their retirement. I want to personally thank Michael for his graciousness, support, and transparency during this leadership transition. From where I sit, he did a remarkable job realigning, or as 2020-2021 PHCC President Hunter Botto put it, “turning around the aircraft carrier,” and positioned PHCC as the go-to association for contractors. He organized operations and implemented best practices that has made us the envy of the association world. I am honored to follow in his footsteps and incredibly humbled that the search committee and leadership have put so much faith in me to lead the PHCC Federation into the next generation of service and advocacy for our members.
We are now well positioned to launch our programs and initiatives that will identify our members as “THE Contractor of Choice” throughout the country. Michael, I do hope that when it comes time for me to take my leave, that I will have made a difference as you did…and leave things better than I found them.
My optimism is fueled by so many positives amid these trying times. Despite a continuing pandemic, PHCC membership is up year over year which means more contractors are drawn to the value that PHCC offers their businesses.
Attendance at our PHCCCONNECT2021 exceeded 730 attendees and 110 exhibitors which speaks to engagement and marketing opportunities. We are about to create our next five-year strategic plan, Jan. 28-29 in New Orleans, which will provide the road map to help PHCC meet its vision of becoming so relevant that PHCC contractors are the best choice for professionalism, reliable products and knowledgeable service for their customers.
Firsts…of many Firsts
Coming out of PHCCCONNECT2021, we celebrated so many firsts. First, that ability to re-connect in-person, face-to-face for education, fellowship, exhibiting and friendship.
For the first time, a young woman, Karin Dahlin, won our HVAC Apprentice Contest – a hopeful sign of our future workforce. A 91-year-old minority business owner won our Plumbing Contractor of the Year, James Lindsey – a reminder of the diverse workforce we are and should be moving toward. We had a young professional win the 2021 Plumbing Instructor of the Year award, Tony Bertolino – an example of the next generation of industry advocates we need in our trade ranks who can tell the story, to his colleagues, of how a job in the trades is a good living. As a son of the carpenter, I know this firsthand.
Post re-CONNECT2021
As we look back on our PHCCCONNECT2021, we want to thank all those members, partners, and exhibitors who attended the conference; it was so good to be together after 20 months of hibernation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Your Board of Directors approved a “game changer” for our contactors by standing up a Business Intelligence (BI) Department. The purpose of the BI department is to provide our contactors and affiliates with vital data, information, and trends to favorably position them to achieve the highest level of market awareness, professionalism, leadership and profitability in the emerging and ever-changing built environment. The goal is the position PHCC contractors as “THE Contractor of Choice” throughout the country.
Challenges we will face together
There are many regulatory and legislative challenges that will face in 2022 and beyond. Most recently New York City Council voted to ban natural gas installations in new construction and phase out existing connections during major renovations. We expect other local (Albany) and state legislatures to propose similar bans. Massachusetts could be next. This is a threat to your livelihood, and we need all members to engage with your local and state elected officials to stem this tide.
On the other hand, we are seeing some states legislatures, like in North Carolina, passing a fuel choice bill which would prohibit local governments from initiating similar natural gas bans only to be vetoed. This is a serious issue, and we need all our members to rally against these harmful policies.
Contact your national lobbyist, Mark Valentini (valentini@naphcc.org), or regulatory professional Chuck White (white@naphcc.org) to get involved.
How a 401(k) Program Can Help Companies Attract and Retain Employees
The PHCC has partnered with Certified Financial Services and Lincoln Financial, a Fortune 200 company, to provide a world class retirement plan solution. The program is called a Multiple Employer Aggregation Program (MEAP) and provides benefits for both the employer and employees. More details can be found online that lays out how this benefit can help our contractors be the “Employer of Choice” as they recruit and retain employees. The program is available for plans and businesses of all sizes.
