The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation has named Joseph Sullivan to the organization's Board of Governors. This distinguished group – composed of leading contractors, manufacturers, and other industry partners who are major donors to the Foundation – is responsible for guiding the development of industry education and training programs for contractors and their employees.

After graduating from Boston College with a degree in accounting, Joe Sullivan served on active duty and then in the Army Reserve for six years. He then started a career in finance at a national public accounting firm. In 1968, Joe's father convinced him to come work at the family business – J.J. Sullivan Plumbing. When his father passed away two years later, Joe found himself in charge of the family business at 28 years old.

To help get the knowledge he needed to be successful, Joe joined a local plumbing association – PHCC. In time, he took on leadership roles, including becoming president of the state association. He continued to be active and served as the PHCC of Massachusetts state treasurer for 20 years.

In 2001, Joe was asked about serving on the PHCC Educational Foundation's Scholarship Committee – a role he took on without hesitation. For the next 22 years, Joe would spend his summers reviewing the application materials of thousands of apprentices and students looking to earn a scholarship award.

J.J. Sullivan Plumbing and Heating is thriving as the firm takes on commercial and institutional jobs, working in schools and labs in the Cambridge, Massachusetts area. Joe's two sons, Patrick and Mike, are now helping to run the business as the third generation for the company. Joe's wife Ann passed away in 2005, and he remarried in 2008 to Jacqueline Piret, a retired microbiology professor. He still shows up for work regularly, but makes his own hours as he likes.

When asked about why he is joining the Foundation Board of Governors, he simply stated, "I value the organization and I want to support it, to be a part of something bigger that is helping the industry that had supported my family for all these years."

"Joe is one of the Foundation's great volunteers," shared Foundation Chair Kevin Tindall. "His work on the Scholarship Committee for more than 20 years is a reason the Foundation has been able to help so many apprentices with their training expenses. We are happy to welcome him to our Foundation family."

The PHCC Educational Foundation will formally recognize Joe and present him with his Board of Governors plaque and pin at the Foundation Donor Reception during PHCC CONNECT in Cleveland, Ohio, on Oct. 26.