PHCPPros: Off the Cuff

What does it really mean to lead—with honesty, vulnerability, and purpose? In our latest episode, The Wholesaler Editor Ruth Mitchell sits down with Scott Thornton, president and local owner of Temecula Winnelson, to discuss his path from addiction and personal struggle to becoming a purpose-driven leader in the trades. From a defining wake-up call to rebuilding his mindset, habits, and relationsh...

One hidden plumbing issue wastes energy, increases costs, and creates serious safety risks—yet it can take hours (or days) to track down. In our latest Off the Cuff episode, PHC News Editor Steve Smith sits down with Shashwat Nath, senior product manager at Watts Water Technologies, to discuss how Watts is addressing one of the most frustrating challenges plumbers face: crossflow.  The company&apo...

In our latest Off the Cuff episode, PHC News Editor Steve Smith is joined by Christine Boehm, Communications and Events Team Lead at SupplyHouse! Recorded live from the PHCC CONNECT trade show floor this fall, the duo explore how SupplyHouse is helping shape the future of the skilled trades with its Track to the Trades initiative. Now in its second year, Track to the Trades is poised to deliver $1...

In our latest episode, PHC News Editor Steve Smith is joined by Kaytee Grey, vice president of SupplyHouse’s supply chain and fulfillment operations!  Tune in as Kaytee talks about the steps she takes to ensure timely, accurate, and cost-effective delivery to customers — discussing streamlining processes, what automation brings to supply chain management, and how to develop productive teams.  Prio...

In this month's cover story extra, Editor Steve Smith sits down with Khadija Head, chief leadership officer at Head’s Plumbing Sales & Service!  Tune in as the duo discuss —  What it means to Khadija to lead the oldest Black-owned plumbing business in Georgia The history behind Head’s Plumbing and how Khadija's grandfather was instrumental in its establishment Working in a family bus...

In our latest episode, PHCPPros Editor Steve Smith is joined by Ian Baynes, VP/ GM Fluid Solutions at Watts Water Technologies!  Tune in as the duo discuss all things backflow prevention —  Why Watts started National Backflow Prevention Day in 2021 and how it has evolved since  How connected products have changed the game  What plumbers can do to raise awareness  The surprising results of Watts&ap...

In this month's cover story extra, Editor Steve Smith sits down with Jon Hirsch, director of business development for Auer Steel & Heating Supply Co. — a family-owned HVAC wholesaler based in Milwaukee. Hirsch and his team routinely visit local high schools to talk to the students about working in the skilled trades, and in 2023, Auer opened its own 5,400-square-foot Technical Training Ce...

In our latest episode, The Wholesaler Editor Ruth Mitchell is joined by Josh Aberman, CEO of Lehman Pipe and Supply! The wholesale distributor of pipe, valve, and fittings is based in Miami, with five locations in Florida and the Caribbean. Josh joined the company more than 15 years ago as its general manager, working his way through leadership roles when he was named president in 2023 and CEO in...

In our latest episode, The Wholesaler Editor Ruth Mitchell is joined by Amy Zucchi-Justice, director of marketing for Matco-Norca! The company is a supplier of globally sourced, code-compliant plumbing and PVF products for use in residential, commercial and industrial applications. With a hands-on approach and a creative mindset, Amy has built a career leading strategic planning, branding, and bus...

In our latest Off the Cuff episode, The Wholesaler Editor Ruth Mitchell is joined by Mary Jo Hann, Vice President of Enterprise Marketing for mSupply (formally known as Marcone), a $2 billion distributor to the HVAC, plumbing, appliance parts, commercial kitchen and pool/spa industries. With a staff of 15, Mary Jo oversees marketing for 12 individual HVAC distributors, three plumbing companies and...

A new season of the Off the Cuff podcast is here! In our latest episode, PHC News Editor Steve Smith, author and HVACR marketer Ryan Kiscaden, and Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) President and CEO Barton James are discussing Kiscaden's new children's book, "The Air Came to a Stop."  Released last fall, the book is designed for children ages 4 to 10 years old and...

During PHCC CONNECT 2024, PHC News Editor Steve Smith sat down with Brady Kroll, who represented the United States at the 2024 WorldSkills Competition this September in Lyon, France! Tune in as they discuss Brady's experience participating in the plumbing and heating competition, how he trained for the event, why he entered the skilled trades, and what lies ahead for the 22-year-old tradesman...

Earlier this year, The Wholesaler Editor Ruth Mitchell and HARDI (Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International) CEO Talbot Gee discussed the current landscape in HVACR distribution. Tune in as they go over key trends shaping the HVACR market today, HARDI's primary initiatives, how the organization is actively engaging with its members to navigate challenges and opp...

In our latest episode, PHC News Editor Steve Smith sits down with Cindy Sheridan, CAE, CEO of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC)—National Association! Tune in as the duo discuss everything new and exciting with PHCC CONNECT 2024, from how the event is more convenient than ever for attendees to the ways it's taking education to the next level. Plus — get a preview of the conference&ap...

In our latest Off the Cuff episode, The Wholesaler Editor Ruth Mitchell is joined by Melissa Lunak, Chief People Officer of DSG — an employee-owned wholesale distributor that offers an extensive array of products and solutions to professionals across various sectors including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, communications, utility, automation, waterworks, as well as onsite sewer and well industries. ...

In our latest episode, The Wholesaler Editor Ruth Mitchell is joined by Katie Hubach, manager/partner of Signature Sales! Tune in as Katie shares insights learned from her role at the company and her initial year of leadership as the first female president of AIM/R. Plus — the duo discuss the evolving role manufacturers' reps play in the distribution chain, trends having the most significant...

In our latest Off the Cuff episode, PHC News Editor Steve Smith is joined by David Chisolm, vice president and general manager of APCOM and Water Systems for A. O. Smith! Tune in for a deep dive into A. O. Smith's history as the company celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. Plus — the duo discuss how A. O. Smith is addressing decarbonization and electrification trends, the ways the comp...

In our latest Off the Cuff episode, The Wholesaler Editor Ruth Mitchell is discussing all things warehousing and logistics with Fielding Alderman, Executive Vice President & General Manager, PDI! Tune in as Fielding shares how PDI is using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) to improve experiences for both customers and vendors;  warehouse layout optimization;...

In our latest Off the Cuff episode, The Wholesaler Editor Ruth Mitchell is joined by Mark McGann, general manager at The National Energy Control Corporation (NECC)! Tune in as Mark discusses his role at NECC along with the importance of training in HVAC and the following: What the typical training curriculum looks like for an HVAC technician The importance of hands-on training for pneumatic contro...

In our latest episode, The Wholesaler Editor Ruth Mitchell is joined by Tim Goedeker, senior regulatory, sustainability, and technical advisor for TRICORD Consulting — and a long-standing member and supporter of the Valve World Americas Expo & Conference! Tune in to learn about Tim's journey through the industry, what's in store for attendees during Valve World Americas Expo & Co...

HVACR and plumbing marketer Ryan Kiscaden joins the podcast to discuss his first children's book in the NEXT UP TRADES Series, "The Water Came To A Stop." Tune in to learn about the inspiration for the book, Ryan's writing process, his thoughts on the labor shortage, and more!  About Ryan: Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and an MBA from Elizabeth...

The Wholesaler Editor Ruth Mitchell sits down with Matco-Norca team members Dan Hunt, Melissa Hunt, and Eric Berglund to discuss the company’s milestone anniversary! Tune in to learn all about their history with Matco-Norca, the company's culture of empowerment, and how it lives up to its motto: Always growing, always changing, always something new.  About the Company: Matco-Norca is one of t...

Franklin Electric Business Unit Trainer Jeremiah Brodie joins us to discuss how he joined the PHCP industry, Little Giant's "Train the Trainer" philosophy, and the company's current training opportunities — including the FranklinTECH virtual learning platform and mobile training facilities. Little Giant produces pumping solutions for HVAC contractors and plumbing professionals....

Did you know? The core product that Little Giant still offers today was originally conceived in 1926 when plumber R.M. "Doc" Wolfe had an issue with the currently available pumps failing at a frustrating rate. As the company celebrates its 80th anniversary, Little Giant’s Rob McConnell joins PHC News Editor Steve Smith to discuss this fascinating history and how the company's produc...

In 2020, when COVID-19 changed  everything, we reached out to Jack McDonald, president and CEO of Matco-Norca,  to discuss the economy, our industry’s  business climate — and above all — safety to customers, employees and the community. So much has happened since last year, and we wanted to know what the horizon looks like now for the supplier of globally sourced, code-compliant plumbing and PVF p...