About 700 contractors, along with apprentices, manufacturers and educators traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan for PHCC CONNECT 2025. This year’s event highlighted three major pillars of the association—education, recognition, and investment in the next generation—all while fostering the sense of community that PHCC members have long valued.

“CONNECT is more than a conference, it’s a celebration of who we are as an industry,” said Dan Callies, PHCC president.

Education and networking

Education has long been the backbone of CONNECT, and 2025 delivered more than 20 educational programs and interactive panel discussions, each designed to help contractors strengthen their businesses and stay ahead of evolving technologies and workforce challenges.

Attendees heard from experts on such varied topics as leadership development, strategic hiring, safety strategies, service management, legislative and regulatory updates and innovations reshaping both the residential and commercial markets. Sessions were designed to address both business operations and field-level advancements, helping contractors strengthen profitability while staying informed about where the industry is heading. The focus was squarely on practical knowledge contractors could take home and implement immediately.

“The mix of instructors, business owners and technical experts created a learning environment rooted in real-world experience,” said incoming PHCC President Jason Pritchard. “Conversations go far beyond the sessions and in to the hallways before and after seminars. Even the trade show floor can become an extension of a classroom.”

As Pritchard notes, networking has always been a big reason attendees head to CONNECT each year. Any casual observer of the show is bound to hear a number of contractors sharing their insights and swapping strategies on business management either while waiting for a session to start or hanging out together after a session is over. (And while we don’t have any scientific evidence on this, it’s probably one reason the hotel lobby bar is always packed after the formal events of the day wrap up.)

Meanwhile, 92 vendors set up shop at CONNECT’s Product & Technology Showcase, displaying tools, products and services aimed at helping contractors manage all facets of their business ranging from AI platforms that can answer phones to energy efficiency improvements on the latest plumbing and heating products.

“When we come together to share knowledge and support one another, we strengthen our future and the legacy of our profession,” Callies added

Recognizing leadership

Another hallmark of every CONNECT is the ceremony on the last morning of the show that recognizes the industry’s most exceptional individuals and PHCC chapters. This year’s celebration recognized excellence across all levels of the industry whose work exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism.

The most prestigious honor, the Colonel George D. Scott Award, went to Jeff Voss of Jeff’s Plumbing & Repair in Boone, North Carolina, recognizing his outstanding service and contributions to the PHCC community. His decades of leadership reflect the association’s values: commitment to craft, dedication to peers, and a passion for elevating the profession.

“Jeff has been an unwavering leader at every level of PHCC at the local, state, and national levels,” said Cindy Sheridan, PHCC’s CEO. “From mentoring new leaders to shaping licensing reform, his influence has left a lasting mark on our industry. He embodies PHCC’s values of service, innovation, and community, and we are proud to honor his contributions with the Col. Scott Award.”

Voss has served PHCC of North Carolina in nearly every leadership role and has been a driving force behind many of the association’s most important initiatives. As chair of the chapter’s Legislative Committee, he was instrumental in establishing the state PAC fund and advocating for meaningful changes to both licensing and code regulations. His innovative proposal during the COVID-19 workforce shortage led to the creation of a “Technician License” in North Carolina, supporting contractors’ operational needs while maintaining the integrity of licensed oversight.

CONNECT also give top honors to contractors and instructors leading the way in plumbing and HVAC:

• Ashley Stroud, Plumbing Outfitters, Taylor, Texas, was named Plumbing Contractor of the Year.

Stroud has set a new benchmark for what it means to be a modern plumbing contractor. Guided by the company’s CHAMPS values (Character, Humility, Accountability, Mindfulness, Precision and Service), Stroud has built a culture where professionalism and customer satisfaction are at the forefront.

At Plumbing Outfitters, employees benefit from structured apprenticeship programs, leadership development opportunities, and cutting-edge training in both technical and customer service skills. Stroud’s team huddles daily to align goals, and her innovative practices, such as DISC communication training, financial transparency and the use of advanced field management tools, ensure the company runs with precision and accountability.

Stroud is also a recognized leader in business development and marketing. From transparent pricing models and structured sales training to a strong social media presence and community outreach, Plumbing Outfitters has become known not only for top-notch service, but also for empowering customers with education and long-term solutions. Stroud even hosts a radio segment, “Ashley the Outfitter,” offering expert plumbing advice to homeowners in her region.

• Cody Schroeder, Midwestern Mechanical Trades Academy, was named Plumbing Instructor of the Year.

Schroeder started with Midwestern Mechanical Inc. in 2005 as a plumbing apprentice. After completing his apprenticeship in 2009, he earned his South Dakota and Sioux Falls journeyman licenses and went on to serve in the field for 15 years as an apprentice, journeyman and foreman. Building on that experience, he moved into education in 2021 and now oversees and teaches more than 100 apprentices annually across four Midwestern Mechanical locations in South Dakota and Iowa.

As an instructor, Schroeder has modernized classroom and lab curriculums to better prepare students for today’s evolving industry. He has secured grants to update training facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and has introduced more digital training tools, including Trimble technology, to give apprentices firsthand experience with Building Information Modeling.

His teaching style is designed to reach a wide variety of students, from recent high school graduates to later-in-life career changers, inspiring them to stay engaged and motivated. Midwestern Mechanical apprentices consistently have excelled at the PHCC Educational Foundation’s National Plumbing Apprentice Contests.

“Cody motivates and inspires his students by being an example of what hard work and loyalty can bring to their careers,” said PHCC of South Dakota’s Brett Kaltvedt.

• Larry Shoemaker, Deluxe Plumbing, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was named HVAC Contractor of the Year.

Shoemaker is widely recognized for leading by example and setting the highest standards of professionalism for his team of more than 40 employees. Under his leadership as company owner, Deluxe Plumbing has prioritized ongoing training in plumbing, HVAC and electrical work, with an emphasis not only on technical expertise, but also on customer service excellence. He has developed structured programs to ensure client satisfaction, including customer feedback surveys, technician performance scorecards, incentive programs tied to service quality and a 24-hour satisfaction resolution policy.

Shoemaker has championed forward-thinking management and efficiency, introducing innovations like companywide iPad use for technicians. This streamlined field and office workflows, enabling real-time communication, digital invoicing, accurate job tracking and timely customer updates.

• Jeremy Gregg, an instructor at Knoxville PHCC Apprentice School in Tennessee, was named HVAC Instructor of the Year.

Gregg, a third-generation HVAC professional, has spent more than a decade teaching and mentoring apprentices, drawing from more than 30 years of experience in both residential and commercial HVAC.

“I love seeing their faces when something they struggled with or didn’t understand finally clicks,” Gregg said. “I love taking the mystery out of HVAC and making it easy to understand.”

This past school year, nearly all of Gregg’s HVAC 1 and 2 students returned for further training, a testament to his ability to inspire and engage apprentices. Known for blending technical knowledge with real-world applications, he uses both relatable stories and personal experiences to bring lessons to life. He even shares his mistakes “as examples of what not to do,” he explained.

The industry’s next generation

CONNECT also honors apprentices from plumbing and HVAC, too.

• Valerie Butler, Mechanical Skills Inc., Indianapolis, was named the Plumbing Apprentice of the Year.

Butler’s path into the trades is one of resilience and determination. After a medical separation from the Marine Corps in 2020, she sought a career that offered stability and growth. Inspired by conversations with her father, who works in the heating and boiler industry, she pursued plumbing.

“I was as green as green gets,” Butler said, “but I wanted to learn.”

Before beginning her apprenticeship, Butler spent two years in office roles as a coordinator and safety director, proving her dedication and drive to earn her place in the field.

Since beginning her apprenticeship, Butler has embraced every opportunity to learn and lead. Known for her positive attitude and “can-do” spirit, she approaches new challenges with determination and creativity – qualities that have also made her a mentor and advocate for other young women entering the plumbing trade.

In 2022, she joined the PHCC of Indiana State and Executive Boards, where she played a key role in launching a statewide safety recognition program modeled after PHCC of Georgia’s ROPES Program. In 2024, she earned the PHCC Educational Foundation’s top scholarship, and she currently is completing her final year at the Mechanical Skills Plumbing Apprentice School.

• Jantzen Fisher, a student at Western Dakota Technical College’s HVACR program, was named HVAC Apprentice of the Year.

Fisher, a student in Western Dakota Technical College’s HVACR program, entered the profession after a chance conversation with a contractor sparked his interest in HVAC. Intrigued by the opportunity to master multiple disciplines, including electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, and sheet metal, he pursued HVAC as a career and has quickly established himself as a standout in the industry.

During his training, Fisher has maintained a 4.0 GPA, earned a Build Dakota Scholarship, and served as president of the HVACR student club. He also competed successfully in SkillsUSA, taking first place at the state level. His instructors praise his dedication, curiosity, and commitment to excellence, noting his habit of arriving early, staying late, and asking thoughtful questions to deepen his knowledge.

The 2025 convention also underscored PHCC’s deep investment in the industry’s future. The PHCC Educational Foundation and PHCC National Auxiliary announced a combined $168,500 in scholarships, supporting 76 students pursuing careers in plumbing, HVACR, and related fields.

And the always-popular National Apprentice Contest brought energy and excitement to the show floor, as competitors demonstrated skill, craftsmanship, and composure under pressure. The contest, held alongside the trade show floor, was a highlight for many attendees, who gathered to cheer on the apprentices.

• First Place Plumbing Apprentice Contest Winner: Josh Vogt with Bombard Mechanical in Las Vegas, Nevada.

• Second Place Plumbing Apprentice Contest Winner: Cody Green with Midwestern Mechanical in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

• Third Place Plumbing Apprentice Contest Winner: Daniel (Danny) Pritchett with Reichelt Plumbing in Schererville, Indiana.

Mark your calendars for the next PHCC CONNECT, Oct. 19-22 in Milwaukee. l