Industry News

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation is proud to announce the winners of our 2023 scholarships program. Fifty-seven students were selected to receive scholarship awards totaling $139,000. Applicants must be plumbing or HVAC apprentices or trade school students, or college students pursuing studies directly related to the plumbing-heating-cooling industry.

The Foundation extends our congratulations to all our winners and our thanks to the contractor donors and corporate sponsors who make these awards possible. Sponsorships are provided by A.O. Smith, Bradford White Corporation, Delta Faucet Company, InSinkErator, RIDGID, Scorpion Home Services Marketing, State Water Heaters, Sterling (a Kohler brand), SupplyHouse.com, Viega, the Texas and Massachusetts PHCC Auxiliaries, the PHCC Past National Officers, Bill Jones, and Gerry Kennedy, with additional funding from the generous donations made by PHCC contractors.

The 2024 PHCC Educational Foundation scholarship program will open for applications in January, with all submission materials due by May 1st. Information on the scholarship program can be found at https://phccfoundation.org/scholarships.

2023 PHCC Educational Foundation Scholarship Winners

• Thomas Langer of McKean, Pa. is studying Business Management at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by A.O. Smith.
• Ryan Welte of Roscoe, Ill. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Blackhawk Technical College and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by A.O. Smith.
• Noah Gonzales of Beaumont, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Bradford White.
• Justin Hendrix of Reno, Nev. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of Nevada and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Bradford White.
• Nathaniel Sanchez of Allentown, Pa. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of Lehigh Valley LCTI and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Bradford White.
• Matthew Toohey of San Diego, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at the PHCC of San Diego Academy and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Bradford White.
• Sarosh Ahmed of Sylvania, OH is studying Mechanical Engineering at The University of Toledo and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
• Cameron Barton of Amarillo, Texas is studying Construction Engineering at Texas Tech University and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
• Todd Daskalov of Costa Mesa, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
• Kyle Girard of Westford, Mass. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at The Peterson School and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
• Lane Prindle of Navarre, Fla. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Locklin Technical College and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
• Andrew Shields of Bryan, Texas is studying Mechanical Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
• Grant Styers of Gastonia, N.C. is studying Business Management at NC State and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by InSinkErator.
• Matthew Dineen of Glendale, Wis. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at Waukesha County Technical School and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship plus $1,500 in tools sponsored by RIDGID.
• Andrew Jacobs of Cypress, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship plus $1,500 in tools sponsored by RIDGID.
• Eliuth Perez Gonzalez of San Jose, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at the PHCC-GSA Plumbers UAC Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship plus $1,500 in tools sponsored by RIDGID.
• Cameron White of Trabuco Canyon, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship plus $1,500 in tools sponsored by RIDGID.
• Ricardo Amezquita of Lynwood, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Scorpion Home Services Marketing.
• Chase Fenner of Granger, Ind. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at JATC Local 172 Apprentice Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Scorpion Home Services Marketing.
• Ashley Trester of New Orleans, La. is studying Business Management at Tulane University and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Scorpion Home Services Marketing.
• Sadiq Evans of Atlanta, Ga. is studying Mechanical Engineering at Alabama A&M and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by State Water Heaters.
• Garrett Crabb of Cameron Park, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at the PHCC-GSA Plumbers UAC Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Sterling, a Kohler Brand.
• Matthew Emig of Springville, Iowa is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair in the PHCC of Iowa Online Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Sterling, a Kohler Brand.
• Jacob Mellen of Leeds, Maine is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at Central Maine Community College and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Sterling, a Kohler Brand.
• Tatiana Sicard of Mansfield, Mass. is studying Construction Management at Wentworth Institute of Technology and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Sterling, a Kohler Brand.
• Mario Alvarado Jr. of Moreno Valley, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
• Joseph Brehm of El Dorado, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-GSA Plumbers UAC Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
• Hannah Keller of St. Petersburg, Fla. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair with PHCC of Florida and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
• Anna Kurtz of Bethlehem, Pa. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC Academy and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
• James Mantsch of Sacramento, Calif. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair in the Sacramento City College Mechanical Electrical Technology Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
• Lamonte Wright of Murrieta, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC Academy of San Diego and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
• William Broas of Oxford, Conn. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Lincoln Technical Institute and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Aubree Carr of Stanwood, Wash. is studying Business Management at George Fox University and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Chase Carrico of Lakeville, Ind. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at JATC Local 172 Apprentice Program and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Joseph Christensen of Lathrop, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC-GSA Plumbers UAC Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Samuel Gutierrez of Fullerton, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Erik Licona Perez of San Bernardino, Calif. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at San Joaquin Valley College and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Elijah Patterson of Coxs Creek, Ky. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Bluegrass Community and Technical College and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Erin Perez of Richmond, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair with PHCC of Alameda & Contra Costa Counties and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• Helen Tallulah King of Tallahassee, Fla. is studying Business Management at University of Alabama and was awarded a $10,000 Charles Hiley Memorial Scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Anthony Cacciotti of Millstone Township, N.J. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC of New Jersey Academy and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Kadyn Campeau of New Richmond, Wis. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Chippewa Valley Technical College and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Luke Ciaffaglione of Plantsville, Conn. is studying Construction Management at Central Connecticut State University and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Marley Colville of Coats, N.C. is studying Business Management at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Peter Diaz of Pomona, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Aiden Divelbiss of Youngstown, Ohio is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at University of Northwestern Ohio and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Jake Dunlap of San Antonio, Texas is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of San Antonio Apprentice Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Zachary Hulin of Huntington Beach, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Nathan Telander of San Antonio, Texas is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of San Antonio Apprentice Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Cole Trautman of San Luis Obispo, Calif. is studying Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
• Cody McManus of Dedham, Mass. is studying Business Management at Williams College and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC of Massachusetts Auxiliary.
• Nicholas Graves of San Antonio, Texas is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of San Antonio Apprentice Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC of Texas Auxiliary.
• Joshua Fletcher of Knox, Ind. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at JATC Local 172 Apprentice Program and was awarded a $3,000 Need-Based scholarship sponsored by PHCC Past National Officers.
• Jason Fornito of Springfield, Pa. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC of Philadelphia Suburban Apprentice Program and was awarded a $3,000 Need-Based scholarship sponsored by PHCC Past National Officers.
• Victor Pacheco of Whittier, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $3,000 Need-Based scholarship sponsored by PHCC Past National Officers.
• Timothy Portnoy of Vista, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of San Diego Academy and was awarded a $3,000 Patty Jones Memorial Scholarship sponsored by William Jones.
• Hunter Styers of Gastonia, N.C. is studying Construction Management at University of Alabama and was awarded a $3,000 Gerry Kennedy Memorial Scholarship sponsored by Gerry Kennedy.

2023 PHCC Educational Foundation Scholarships Corporate Sponsors

About PHCC Educational Foundation

The PHCC Educational Foundation, a partnership of contractors, manufacturers, and wholesalers, was founded in 1987 to serve the plumbing-heating-cooling industry by preparing contractors and their employees to meet the challenges of a constantly changing marketplace. Students interested in pursuing a career in the plumbing or HVACR professions are invited to visit phccfoundation.org/scholarships for information on 2024 scholarships.

The leading provider of coaching and training for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors helps businesses transform the future of their company through proper field service software setup and configuration.

Business Development Resources (BDR), a trusted provider of business coaching and training services for the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical industries, announces a new solution to help industry business owners optimize their field service management software and get data and insights that drive long-term profit and growth.

BDR’s Field Service Software Integration assists contractors in streamlining their existing service management software settings and integrations, equipping them and their teams with a proven system that boosts productivity and overall efficiency.

BDR announces a new solution to help HVAC, plumbing, and electrical business owners optimize their field service management software.

“We’re helping our customers get maximum performance and value from their field service software,” said Kim Archer, President of BDR. “Field service software can be a powerful tool, but dialing in its wide range of functionality is critical. Business owners have the most accurate view of their company’s financial health and can make informed decisions that enhance growth and profitability.”

BDR’s Field Service Software Integration provides access to an experienced software integration expert who can help contractors identify and implement the ideal configuration for their team, including:

• Reconciling between their field service software and accounting software
• Price book account mapping
• Membership program structure
• Matching business units and departments

“With our Field Service Software Integration, business owners can be confident they’re seeing clear, up-to-date financial and accounting data,” Archer said. “We hear from many customers that they don’t know if their software is giving them the right information. We want to give them tools that ensure their businesses head in the right direction.”

For more information about BDR’s Field Service Software Integration, visit https://www.bdrco.com/bdr-service-software-integration/.

Technology Labs Will Help the Next Generation of Talent Gain Hands-on Experience with the Latest Technologies in Agriculture and Construction

Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) and The Ohio State University have announced the opening of two state-of-the-art Trimble Technology Labs for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) at The Ohio State University. Both of the multidisciplinary labs will enhance the university’s hands-on learning, teaching, research and outreach activities in food and agricultural engineering, as well as construction management.

The two new Trimble Technology Labs provide students with access to leading agriculture and construction technologies used today by professionals in the industry. With added hands-on learning opportunities, these labs will ultimately help a greater number of students prepare for their future careers. In the inaugural year, more than 1,000 students will have access to the labs for courses dedicated to the next generation of agriculture and construction careers.

Trimble Opens Two Technology Labs at The Ohio State University to Advance the Next Generation of Agriculture and Construction Talent

“In recent years, farming and construction industries have faced crucial labor shortages and skilled labor gaps,” said Jim Chambers, vice president, agriculture, Trimble. “With the added technology in these labs, we’re looking to not only attract the next generation of agriculture and construction professionals, but we hope to attract a whole new subset of students looking for technology careers that may not have realized a career in agriculture or construction could be for them.”

Based on Ohio State’s campus in Columbus and Ohio State ATI at the CFAES Wooster campus in Ohio, these labs are the first Trimble Technology Labs to include Trimble agriculture solutions. The centerpiece of the labs are customized training workstations that simulate the use of Trimble agriculture hardware and software in the classroom, including machine guidance and control, assisted steering, field leveling and water management systems. The workstations enable students to interact with technology in the classroom before they begin working with equipment in the field.

Historically, agriculture and construction classes have been focused around lecture-style curricula. By starting in the workstation lab setting, moving to technology-equipped ATV’s and then to full-sized agricultural and construction equipment, learners have more opportunities to master the skill sets needed to excel in precision farming and construction management.

“The new Trimble Technology Labs help The Ohio State University lead the way when it comes to innovative agriculture education, research and outreach programs,” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES. “Not only does Trimble help the university in the classroom, but having such a well-respected agriculture partner [1] engaged with the college opens a lot of doors within the industry for our students and community.”

In addition to students, the Trimble Technology Labs will benefit the greater farming community in Ohio and beyond. Ohio State University Extension, CFAES’ statewide outreach arm, will help support training programs to re-equip farmers and agricultural professionals with technologies that can improve productivity, increase efficiencies and drive sustainable farming practices. The labs will not only be used for workforce development opportunities, but also for faculty research purposes, local youth agriculture groups such as Ohio 4-H youth development, FFA and local field days. The labs will also offer opportunities for worker training outside of the usual university, for-credit courses by offering targeted workshops for certifications, appealing to current farm workers, local dealers or businesses in the industry.

The agriculture workstations include a combination of hardware and software to prepare students in agricultural sciences and engineering to use equipment in the field, including workflows such as guidance, autosteer, water management and application technologies. The workstations are designed to replicate what happens in the field.

Alongside the agriculture solutions, the labs include a broad range of Trimble’s industry-leading geospatial and construction solutions such as the Trimble XR10 HoloLens™ hardhat, robotic total stations, 3D scanners and GNSS systems. Advanced software solutions include eCognition® geospatial analysis software, RealWorks™ scanning software, TerraFlex® Advanced GIS data collection, Trimble Access™ field software, Trimble Business Center Infrastructure Construction edition, Tekla® Structures, Tekla Structural Design Suite, Trimble Connect® collaboration software, Estimation MEP, FieldLink Office, Quadri, SysQue and the company’s popular and intuitive 3D modeling software, SketchUp®.

Trimble has a history of working with Ohio State through philanthropic support dating back to 1987. The software and hardware represent the largest in-kind philanthropic investment to support teaching, research and outreach in the history of CFAES. In recognition of this contribution, Trimble was presented with the Corporate Partner of the Year Award from the National Agricultural Alumni Development Association (NAADA), a national philanthropic association for agricultural education institutions. To learn more, visit trimble.com/en/our-commitment/education-and-outreach/overview

Sønderborg’s initiative to reach climate neutrality by 2029 recognized as a “replicable, adaptable and scalable” decarbonization model for cities worldwide.

The World Economic Forum’s Centre for Urban Transformation and UN-Habitat has honored ProjectZero with its Award of Distinction for Public-Private Collaboration in Cities in recognition of the positive and measurable impact demonstrated in the city of Sønderborg in southern Denmark.

The award ceremony took place yesterday in Detroit, Michigan, USA, as part of the World Economic Forum’s Urban Transformation Summit which brings together visionary leaders from business, government, civil society, media, and philanthropy to forge new partnerships, showcase innovative solutions and mobilize action in support of more sustainable and inclusive cities and urban economies.

ProjectZero was established as a public-private partnership in 2007 with a vision of turning Sønderborg Municipality’s energy system carbon neutral by 2029. The project was initiated by the Bitten & Mads Clausen Foundation, the majority shareholder in Danfoss, Sønderborg Municipality, the University of Southern Denmark, and several local companies, as well as other public and private organizations. Danfoss contributes to ProjectZero by supplying energy efficient cooling and heating solutions, collaborating on electrification projects, and promoting sector integration where industry, energy production, transport, and others work together to reuse energy which has already been produced.

Last month, ProjectZero announced that energy-related carbon emissions have been reduced by 57 percent, equivalent to a saving of around 400,000 tons of CO2. ProjectZero was recognized as a true example of the benefits of the public and private sector coming together.

“ProjectZero provides a model for how the public and private sector can come together to deliver on big, bold ambitions which might otherwise not be possible,” said Jeff Merritt, Head of the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Urban Transformation. “By recognizing this world-leading effort, we hope to encourage and inspire other cities to follow suit, forging new partnerships to accelerate climate action.”

Rick Sporrer, President of the North America Region, Danfoss, accepted the award on behalf of ProjectZero. He said: “ProjectZero is a clear example of what a city can achieve in the way of emissions reductions when public and private organizations team up to find local solutions to a global problem. Cities account for more than 70 percent of annual global carbon emissions and it’s crucial that we learn from each other. A public-private partnership like ProjectZero is replicable, adaptable and scalable for other cities around the world and can help us achieve our global climate goals.”

The ProjectZero model focuses on creating and demonstrating an intelligent and integrated energy system across an entire municipality, offering energy savings. ProjectZero is one of the main reasons that Dr Faith Birol, Director of the IEA, named Sønderborg “the global capital of energy efficiency” at last year’s IEA conference on energy efficiency.

The various sources of energy and sectors connect in a flexible network that works coherently, allowing, for example, houses to be heated by surplus heat from local companies, electric cars can be charged when there is less pressure on energy consumption, and data is used to ensure that energy is efficiently utilized in the best possible way. This model makes it possible to reduce the costs of decarbonization by up to 50 per cent.

In response to ProjectZero receiving the award, Brian Seeberg, CEO, ProjectZero, said: “The strong commitment and collaboration in our partnership is the very backbone of ProjectZero, and the key to reaching zero in 2029. I am therefore very pleased that this award recognizes this unique partnership. Cities around the world can turn to Sønderborg as a blueprint for how to reduce their own emissions. We’ve shown it is possible to make an impact by focusing on three key principles: energy efficiency, sector integration and green energy sources. This is something all cities around the world can and should do.”