It’s safe to say that this past year, the national conversation on millennials — much like everything else — has revolved around COVID-19. 

“Why the Coronavirus Crisis is Another Cruel Economic Setback for Millennials,” “How the Pandemic Paved the Way for Millennial Mysticism,” “Gen Z and Millennial Entrepreneurs Step Up to Help Amid COVID-19 Crisis,” and “The Pandemic Could Be Millennials' Best Chance to Buy a House,” are just a few of the headlines that have caught our attention since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic in March 2020. 

Indeed, we touched on some of these points in our 2020 PHCP Millennials On The Move feature, which was published around six months into the pandemic. Now that a year has passed, we wanted to see if the insights and experiences of young professionals in the PHCP industry align with some of the things we’ve been reading about on a broader scale, particularly in regards to the workplace.

According to The Deloitte Global 2021 Millennial and Gen Z Survey, “The pandemic reinforced the importance of workers being adaptable and willing and able to pivot or learn new skills as necessary as jobs were being reprioritized based on immediate needs ... when millennials and Gen Zs were asked which employee characteristics or behaviors have become most critical to the success of their organizations, flexibility and adaptability came out on top by a large margin.”

It appears employees aren’t the only ones who should aim to exemplify such characteristics, however. You’ll find that “flexibility” was a recurring answer among the young professionals we interviewed in this feature when asked what employers in the PHCP industry can offer to better recruit and retain millennials in a post-COVID-19 world. 

Discover what else 10 exemplary young professionals had to say about their paths to our industry, mentorship experiences, pandemic challenges, and more in our third annual “PHCP Millennials On The Move” honorary listing! 

Antonia Aldridge
North American Marketing Manager and Canada Sales Manager
ADEY North America 
How did you enter a career in the PHCP industry?

I started my career in 2012 in the United Kingdom working for a shower manufacturer as an internal sales representative. I then developed my career further at Kohler Mira while completing some marketing secondments [Editor’s note: The term “secondment” describes where an employee or a group of employees is assigned on a temporary basis to work for another, “host” company, or a different part of their employer's company.] and starting an online degree in business and marketing. In 2017, I joined ADEY and used my degree to begin my marketing career. 

What have been some of your career highlights so far? 

Attending AHR Expo was a very eye-opening experience. From organizing as an exhibitor to also working the booth, I’ve been able to develop all aspects of my sales and marketing skills. Continuously getting to meet and build connections with the great people in the HVAC industry is also a highlight. 

What are your thoughts on mentorship? 

I don’t have any official mentors, but there are certainly people that I have learned a lot from over my career. One such individual is my current manager, Jackie Sharrock, who has a wealth of experience and continues to support me every day.

What professional challenges did you experience during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Prior to the pandemic, my travel was increasing due to my developing sales role. Of course, this all halted when restrictions began in March 2020. The main challenge for me was completely changing my future plan and routine. ADEY North America hadn’t previously rolled out any online training, which was something that we knew we needed to tackle with the effects of COVID-19. Being the host of rep, wholesaler and contractor webinars seemed quite daunting, but I believe you always have to throw yourself in the deep end in order to keep growing.

How do you think the industry can better recruit and retain young professionals in a post-COVID-19 world? 

I believe that providing flexible working hours or hybrid remote/in-office routines will retain young professionals. I think businesses are beginning to realize just how productive employees can be working from home rather than constantly being in an office, especially with current technology. 

What does it mean to you to receive this honor?

I am very honored and proud. All of the hard work and opportunities that I have thrown myself into over the past couple of years makes it worthwhile when getting recognized for something like this.

Spencer Carroll
Management Trainee
Hajoca Corp.
How did you enter a career in the PHCP industry?

I attended the United States Military Academy for undergrad and fulfilled my service obligation following graduation as an officer in the Army. When I was transitioning out of the Army, I was looking for an opportunity that had an attractive culture, but also allowed for growth and opportunity based off of performance. I was pretty sure that I was headed for the medical device community; however, the teammates at Hajoca blew me away and convinced me otherwise. I have not regretted my decision for one second!  

What have been some of your career highlights so far? 

I have taken an enormous amount of pride in helping to turn the Hajoca business in Nashville, Tennessee, around. We experienced 250 percent growth in 2020 and are on pace to see 300 percent growth in 2021. This is due to a lean, dedicated, and winning team that is hungry and ready to win.

What are your thoughts on mentorship? 

In my opinion, mentors are crucial, no matter the industry. I consider the biggest mentor of mine to be Rich Stokes, currently the profit center manager at the Hajoca location in Nashville, Tennessee. He’s now also one of my best and closest friends. 

Additionally, transitioning out of the military can be tricky to navigate. I was fortunate to have people who I leaned on when I was making my next career move, so I try to do the same and offer perspective to folks getting out of the military based on my experiences. 

What professional challenges did you experience during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Generating opportunities and ways to reach out to current and prospective customers was difficult. Our team decided to get a little creative with it. We created videos, sometimes informative, other times humorous, as a way to reach a wider base while battling social distancing.
 

How do you think the industry can better recruit and retain young professionals in a post-COVID-19 world? 

This industry has a lot to offer, but hasn’t necessarily adapted well to the recruitment of a younger population. We have to be willing to look for young talent and be ready to lean in hard with training and development in order to teach them the industry. 

COVID-19 has really separated the companies and individuals who are willing to problem solve and get creative from those who are binary in their line of thinking. As the supply chain continues to struggle, the gap between substandard companies and high-performing companies will only continue to widen.  

What does it mean to you to receive this honor?

It is an honor to be featured. I have met so many quality individuals in this industry, and hopefully I can help contribute in some small way to the betterment of this industry!  

Laura Cozart
Senior Category Manager – Connected Home Products
Ferguson Enterprises

How did you enter a career in the PHCP industry?

I interviewed with Ferguson HVAC when I graduated from Miami University in 2006. While my personal background and experience were unrelated to the industry, the leaders I met during the interview process were phenomenal, and I knew that working alongside such great management was what I wanted for my career. The leadership, culture, and commitment to our associates within Ferguson made the decision easy for me! 

What have been some of your career highlights so far? 

Being a part of change and leading newly created teams during my career that have been focused on ecommerce and how the smart home industry has been integral towards change management for both our contractor customers and our associates. I also serve on a leadership team for our LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group, Building Pride, which has been a personally and professionally enriching experience. 

What are your thoughts on mentorship? 

Mentorship has had a significant impact for me personally; I’ve had the support and guidance from two wonderful leaders, Scott Hager and Vance Stillman, since I first began my career. I also enjoy connecting with associates new to the company to offer guidance. Supporting and encouraging others is as helpful to me as a mentor as it is for associates navigating their careers.

What professional challenges did you experience during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The trickiest challenge was the shift to create a virtual presence and impact as effective as in person. I’ve spent much of my career traveling, working with our associates and customers. Quickly adapting led to focusing on the benefits of using technology to communicate via webinars. We turned restrictions into productivity, and I am proud of my team and our company for our perseverance and positivity during a very challenging time.  

How do you think the industry can better recruit and retain young professionals in a post-COVID-19 world? 

Not only is flexibility key, but it is an absolute for associates. Creating a path for them to accomplish their work that looks different than it did pre-pandemic is incredibly important. We’ve learned we can rely on technology more than we used it before COVID-19, and we can better serve our customers with it.   

What does it mean to you to receive this honor?

I am thrilled! My hope is for others to be inspired and encouraged to consider a career they may not have previously. 

Amber Deighton
Manager, Inside Sales and Technical Support
Oatey Co. 

How did you enter a career in the PHCP industry?

Prior to Oatey I worked for a paint manufacturer. After the company was acquired, my former manager joined Oatey. With the need of building up a team, I was asked if I would be interested in the opportunity. It didn’t take much time after accepting my position with Oatey to realize it would be my home.

What have been some of your career highlights so far? 

My career highlights range from the corporate success of being a part of the teams that are reaching and exceeding annual sales goals to building an organizational leading portal for our manufacturer rep agencies. But, my biggest highlight is the direct team I’m a part of. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

What are your thoughts on mentorship? 

I have been incredibly fortunate to have many mentors I look up to in all areas of the business. While I know I still have plenty more skills and experience to gain, I can’t help but to feel proud that I have the opportunity to help guide others throughout their careers and provide advice whenever necessary.   

What professional challenges did you experience during the COVID-19 pandemic?

I missed my team! We have such a great work relationship and environment where it’s so easy for us to collaborate and work out any issues we need to solve. The switch from easily being able to shout out or walk over to another department over to a chat/video call was personally a challenge.

How do you think the industry can better recruit and retain young professionals in a post-COVID-19 world? 

I think the industry has to continue to be flexible and transition with the world and what young professionals are deeming as their own requirements for their careers. As companies begin to roll out the flexible work environment, those that want to stay competitive with talent retention and recruitment have to follow suit. I feel thankful that with the pandemic our leadership team has given us flexibility, not only in our required in-office days, but also in areas such as the corporate dress code.  

What does it mean to you to receive this honor?

I’m beyond honored to be featured. Six years in this industry has flown by in the blink of an eye. There are so many talented millennials in the business, and to be included in that group is phenomenal recognition. I hope I can continue making an impact and inspire others as well.

Amritpal Gill
Technical Team Leader
REHAU

How did you enter a career in the PHCP industry?

I stumbled onto this opportunity as I was looking to get my career back into core mechanical engineering. I was unfamiliar with the industry when I started, but as I grew into the role here, I discovered the complexities in developing solutions for everyday problems. I have been enjoying the challenge of constantly working to develop and enhance the solutions we offer to our customers. 

What have been some of your career highlights so far? 

One of my main achievements here at REHAU has been introducing the REHAU F1960 cold-expansion fitting system into our product offering. It was really rewarding to be working with a great global team that was able to collaborate and work creatively to get us to launch. 

What are your thoughts on mentorship? 

The team here at REHAU have provided remarkable mentorship from the day that I started. There is a lot of industry knowledge and experience here, and it has really helped me pick up and grow quickly. I aim to pass on insights and knowledge I have gained to younger engineers as they join our team, and I see that as a role I will continue to grow into.   

 

What professional challenges did you experience during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The biggest challenge was probably the uncertainty of the whole situation. We were working on many developments with global colleagues, and the situation all over the world was so varied and changing quickly. Communication and adaptability were really what allowed us to work through it successfully.  

How do you think the industry can better recruit and retain young professionals in a post-COVID-19 world? 

I think there needs to be more awareness of what is going on in the industry. This can be accomplished by getting out to college recruiting events, job fairs, and trade shows and highlighting current projects and applications. Young professionals are often looking to see a path for growth. Mapping out a plan for continual learning and development will keep people and continue to move the industry forward. 

Additionally, I have the ability to work remotely more frequently now, and due to my roles, I am still able to be in the office quite a bit. This has aligned well with my working style by allowing me to focus on specific tasks, and I value the flexibility a hybrid approach offers.

What does it mean to you to receive this honor?

It is truly an honor to be recognized for my knowledge, experience and contribution to the industry. It is inspiring to know that what I’m doing is making a difference, and I’m looking forward to continuing to take on new challenges.   

John Glass
Business Development Manager
SFA Saniflo 

How did you enter a career in the PHCP industry?

After I graduated from Montclair State University, I applied and interviewed with many companies. I felt that one company in particular within the plumbing industry, Ferguson Enterprises, was an unexpectedly great fit for me. I was a business major and didn’t necessarily think I would end up working in the plumbing field. However, I’ve grown to have a true appreciation for the entire industry. 

What have been some of your career highlights so far? 

The greatest highlight of my career is having the opportunity to work in multiple locations. I’ve really enjoyed seeing how things work in targeting different markets. Now with Saniflo, I have the opportunity to cover the territory between Virginia and Maine. Because of this, I’ve been provided a great opportunity and am especially grateful to travel and build relationships.

What are your thoughts on mentorship? 

Early in my career I learned a lot from two colleagues in wholesale plumbing. Currently, my superior is Kevin Schink, regional sales director for the East Coast for Saniflo. He’s definitely a big role model in learning how to approach this type of product and pitch it to certain businesses, users, and contractors.  
What professional challenges did you experience during the COVID-19 pandemic?

When I first started with Saniflo, I was reaching out to contractors, and especially wholesalers. A big portion of my job is physically showing up to conduct events for our products and getting involved with them. The only challenge was to make sure that a relationship was built and maintained, so I can keep coming back to the wholesalers and work to make that selling process smooth. 

How do you think the industry can better recruit and retain young professionals in a post-COVID-19 world? 

Work-life balance is definitely huge. I think it’s a fact that if an employee is happy, there are going to be better results. I do like that there is a lot of work-life balance throughout the entire work environment, across all industries. I think that itself has definitely grown, among the many other changes the pandemic has introduced.

What does it mean to you to receive this honor?

It definitely represents what I’m truly about — putting my best foot forward. It’s great to achieve and gives me a lot of pride.

Taylor Martinez
Profit Center Manager
Moore Supply Co.

How did you enter a career in the PHCP industry?

I was introduced to the industry and company my sophomore year of college and have been hooked on the fast-paced atmosphere ever since. I chose this industry because Hajoca was able to provide a career opportunity where I could lead a business in a stable market segment while helping both our customers and teammates reach their desired goals. 

What have been some of your career highlights so far? 

Having the opportunity to lead and grow a business at the age of 27 and developing our team so that we are able to provide a greater amount of value to the Northwest Houston market.
What are your thoughts on mentorship? 

Jeff Knox, Hajoca South Texas Region manager, is a mentor of mine. Additionally, one of my key roles on a day-to-day basis is to develop and train my team in order to help them grow in both their professional and personal lives. 

What professional challenges did you experience during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The biggest challenge we faced during the pandemic was finding ways to ensure our team and customers’ safety while still performing and operating at a level that meets the expectations of our customer base. We were able to create certain processes that allowed us to operate within the guidelines the CDC recommended, while also not creating any obstacles for our customers that inhibited them from doing business with us. 

How do you think the industry can better recruit and retain young professionals in a post-COVID-19 world? 

I believe that we should leverage our essentiality to society and the role that we play within the supply chain to keep the industry moving in a positive direction. 

What does it mean to you to receive this honor?

This honor provides a sense of accomplishment that our hard work is paying off, while also motivating me to keep growing our business in order to increase our impact within the market. 

Tyler Petersen
Virtual Design and Construction Manager
Bassett Mechanical

How did you enter a career in the PHCP industry?

I entered the PHCP industry after graduating from the welding and metal fabrication program at Northeast Technical College. While I was in high school, I worked summers at a cold storage facility, sometimes helping the maintenance staff around ammonia refrigeration equipment. I was interested in learning more about the pipe trades and how those systems worked. I was also very interested in fabrication and welding, which motivated me to pursue a Steamfitter Apprenticeship. 

What have been some of your career highlights so far? 

After graduating the Steamfitter Apprenticeship program, I had the opportunity to work on pressure vessels, skid packages and pipe spools in the shop, as well as the installation of hydronics, steam, and refrigeration projects in the field. I started running work as a field foreman, and later transitioned roles and became the general foreman of pressure vessel and pipe fabrication. As our company grew, we continued to enhance technology, which included elevating our 3D design software, pipe spooling software, and CNC equipment. In 2019, I took on a new opportunity of leading our virtual design and construction efforts and developed processes to execute our work utilizing 3D design software, laser scanning, robotic total station, and spooling.  

What are your thoughts on mentorship? 

The best thing about the apprenticeship is you learn from the journeyman and foreman at the jobsites, as well as in school. I have also had great managers throughout my career that challenged me with new opportunities and taught me different aspects of the business.  I do consider myself a mentor and have always felt an obligation to share as much of the knowledge I have gained throughout my career with others.

What professional challenges did you experience during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The biggest challenge was taking over a new team and leading a company-wide initiative without having everyone physically accessible for in-person collaborative meetings. Our company did our best to manage taking care of our customers while adhering to the best safety guidelines possible. 

How do you think the industry can better recruit and retain young professionals in a post-COVID-19 world? 

From what I have experienced, I would say that being flexible with working remotely is the biggest factor for many people. Young people, especially those with children, have experienced challenges outside of their control during these times and are looking for flexibility to take care of their families while still being able to perform their work duties.  

What does it mean to you to receive this honor?

I am grateful for the opportunities and encouragement I have received throughout my career to take on new challenges and different roles. It’s nice to be acknowledged for the effort you put into your career.

Stephanie Radel, CPD, GPD
Manager, Construction Services
Uponor North America

How did you enter a career in the PHCP industry?

After exploring architecture, I realized I was more drawn to the PHCP industry. The intricacies of PHCP systems have a large impact on quality of life, and I personally find it fascinating to bring functionality of a building to life. The industry is a good combination of challenging, rewarding, and new opportunities. I started with Uponor in 2008, and I have not looked back!  

What have been some of your career highlights so far? 

My highlights are in the relationships I have built and the ability to lead a remarkable team that is making a difference in the quality of construction as well as the construction process.    

What are your thoughts on mentorship? 

I have many people within Uponor, the industry, and my personal life that I know I can trust and reach out to when needed. Mentorship is not always a large undertaking or task — it can be performed in short bursts or continuous conversation where you inspire, challenge someone’s thinking, or coach them through a process for deeper understanding and reflection.

 

What professional challenges did you experience during the COVID-19 pandemic?

I was on the final stretch of my tenure of president for the Minnesota Chapter of ASPE when COVID-19 hit. We were finishing the year with monthly in-person technical sessions set and a full regional conference scheduled and planned. All of a sudden, things changed, and we needed to pivot quickly. The team approached the situations with agility, strategy, and swift decision making that lead to successful hosting of virtual events. 

How do you think the industry can better recruit and retain young professionals in a post-COVID-19 world? 

The industry must find ways to engage and inspire young professionals. We need to build trust in our industry culture that fosters innovation, continuous learning, and collaboration.

What does it mean to you to receive this honor?

I am grateful and thankful to receive this honor. I am passionate about water quality, the environment, efficiencies, and people leadership. I hope to make a positive impact with my career, and this recognition is confirmation that I am going down the right path.

Juan Pablo R. Trejo
Plumbing Technician
Blue Planet Plumbing

How did you enter a career in the PHCP industry?

One day, we were in need of a plumber, and we called Blue Planet Plumbing. I’ve always been a hands-on worker, so I started talking with the plumber and found out that the company was hiring. I went to the Blue Planet Plumbing office, asked for an application, and filled it out in the parking lot. In a period of two-and-a-half years, I went from apprenticing to full technician. 

What have been some of your career highlights so far? 

Coming in every day to a group of people that have smiles on their faces every morning, seeing new people and new homes on a regular basis, and alleviating all of our customers’ worries they have about their plumbing systems are all career highlights. 

What are your thoughts on mentorship? 

The owner of Blue Planet Plumbing, Georg Efird, holds the mentor title among others in my life: boss, friend, and role model. Because I consider myself fairly new to this industry, I have not found myself to be a mentor to someone yet. I most certainly do believe that is my next step in this career.  

What professional challenges did you experience during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Working as a plumber during the pandemic, the biggest hurdle I had to overcome was losing a lot of the face-to-face interaction with my customers. I would often call the homeowner when I was on my way to their home, and they would tell me what the problem was over the phone. They would then leave the garage door open, and I would see myself in. Once I had diagnosed the issue, I would give them another call even though they were in their home. That’s just a small example. 

How do you think the industry can better recruit and retain young professionals in a post-COVID-19 world? 

Recruiting new talent has been hard for ages, due to the fact that it’s not a very cozy job. Working in the plumbing industry, I’ve accomplished in two years what I could not in 10 years working a more traditional job. Sourcing and retaining new and young talent would be easier if earning potential information for the trades was more readily available. 

What does it mean to you to receive this honor?

I remember living in my home country of El Salvador with my grandparents when I was 7 years old. Both of my parents were in the United States, working hard to bring me here one day so I could accomplish great things. This honor now being one of those accomplishments, I want to show my son where I came from to where I am now.