The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) recognized 2026 industry leaders, contractors, instructors and apprentices at CONNECT, while celebrating chapter achievements, awarding $227,500 in scholarships and honoring the next generation of plumbing and HVAC professionals.
2026 PHCC—National Awards
2026 Col. George D. Scott Award: Eddie Hollub, Modern Plumbing and Air Conditioning, Pasadena, Texas
2026 Plumbing Contractor of the Year (sponsored by Delta Faucet): Midwestern Mechanical, Inc., Sioux Falls, South Dakota
2026 HVAC Contractor of the Year (sponsored by Rheem): Worley’s Home Services, Yorktown, Virginia
2026 Plumbing Instructor of the Year (sponsored by Milwaukee Tool): Ben Gorham, Knoxville PHCC Apprentice School, Knoxville, Tennessee
2026 HVAC Instructor of the Year (sponsored by Milwaukee Tool): Joseph Adam, MWM Trades Academy, Lead, South Dakota
2026 Plumbing Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Delta Faucet): Daniel Boyles, Norfolk Technical Center, Norfolk, Virginia
2026 HVAC Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Rheem): Nathaniel Magner, CroppMetcalfe Academy, Fairfax, Virginia
PHCC Safety First Award (sponsored by Federated Insurance): Chris Buddy, Paul L Buddy Plumbing & Heating, Aurora, Illinois
AEC Communications Award Winners
Best Social Media – PHCC of San Diego
Best Member Newsletter – PHCC of Iowa
Best Convention – PHCC of Tennessee
Best Website – PHCC of Illinois
Best Magazine – PHCC of Wisconsin
Best Membership – PHCC of North Carolina
AEC Executive of the Year Award
Susan Milhoan, PHCC of Virginia
Chapter Excellence in Advocacy Awards
2026 PHCC Grassroots Excellence Award: PHCC of Louisiana
2026 PHCC Legislative Excellence Award: PHCC of Georgia
Investing in the Next Generation
Scholarships totaling $227,500 were announced by the PHCC Educational Foundation and PHCC National Auxiliary at CONNECT. The Auxiliary awarded 6 scholarships totaling $27,500. The Foundation awarded $200,000 to 80 plumbing and HVAC apprentices, trade school students, and college students pursuing studies directly related to the p-h-c industry.
Educational Foundation 2026 National Plumbing Apprentice Contest Winners
First Place Plumbing Apprentice Contest Winner – Michael Goldey, Jr. from Levittown, Pennsylvania
Second Place Plumbing Apprentice Contest Winner – Trevor Nielson from Las Vegas, Nevada
Third Place Plumbing Apprentice Contest Winner – Joseph Cuttie from Romeoville, Illinois
Educational Foundation 2026 Chairman’s Award Winners
- PHCC of South Dakota – For their key role in relaunching an updated HVAC Apprentice Contest.
- Ron Shanaver, Milwaukee Tool – For his longstanding support of the Foundation through the Apprentice Contests, SkillsUSA Championships, WorldSkills competition, construction management classes and so much more over the years.
Dan and Denise Callies from Oak Creek Plumbing in Wisconsin were recognized as the newest members of the PHCC Educational Foundation’s Board of Governors. This group of major donors form the core of volunteer leadership for the Foundation.
