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phc December 2021 www.phcppros.com

the skills and attitude celebrated through this award. William has stayed at the forefront of green building processes, working closely with general contractors, owners and LEED professionals to help create buildings that will meet the highest standards of sustainability. For more than 70 years, his company has been delivering quality commercial plumbing and HVAC services, ranging from custom fabrication to LEED-certified projects to the latest geothermal applications. Safety is another priority for William. His company's Safety Incentive Program includes mandatory employee attendance at safety meetings, drug testing, daily job reports, training on the proper use of power tools and construction materials, and a strictly enforced policy that refrigerants and other hazardous materials are handled only by personnel trained and certified in proper usage and disposal. 2021 Plumbing Instructor of the Year, sponsored by Milwaukee Tool: Anthony Bertolino, Norfolk Technical Center In addition to running his business, Bertolino Plumbing & Heating, Virginia Beach, Virginia, with his brother, Anthony teaches all four years of plumbing apprenticeship classes at Norfolk Technical Center. He has dramatically improved both the retention rate for each class and the number of students, and his program is one of the largest in Virginia. As an instructor, Anthony's effectiveness is more than charisma and straight talk, however. He incorporates the Montessori method of education that is based on self- directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play. He engages students by sharing examples of his own on-the-job challenges and encourages them to discuss their work experiences to help advance the entire class. "Tony's students know that he expects them to apply their classroom knowledge to the day- to-day work and that licensure is the mark of professionalism," Botto added during the award presentation. "He reminds them of the importance of plumbing to the health and safety of the nation." 2021 HVAC Instructor of the Year, sponsored by Milwaukee Tool: Jim Fusco, Granite State Trade School Jim has nearly 50 years of experience in the HVAC profession, including 15 years as a self-employed contractor, and a dedication to the future of that industry as director and owner of Granite State Trade School, Raymond, New Hampshire. He also serves as official mentor and proctor for the PHCC Educational Foundation's online plumbing and HVAC curriculum programs approved by the state of New Hampshire. An independent mechanical inspector and consultant, Fusco developed the first gas training instruction program for Granite State Trade School. Since its inception in 2006, the school has expanded to provide expert training for gas, oil, HVAC and plumbing professionals, including a full four- year plumbing apprentice program. To make his students learn from real work experience, Fusco has built many hands-on features to the school's equipment and has designed innovative training devices for students to work with, including electric circuits, diagnose control failures, venting and draft simulators. "He has the uncanny ability to appropriately combine the 'book knowledge' needed with 'in-the- field knowledge' necessary to equip students with the skills needed to succeed as HVAC professionals," Botto added during the awards presentation. Many other awards were handed out to members and chapters during the luncheon as well as at other events throughout PHCCCONNECT2021. For a complete list go here: bit. ly/3mQU91P.

Next generation

The luncheon also recognized the hard work put on display by the next generation of skilled trades men and women during the apprentice contest. This year, Karin Dahlin, Northland Mechanical, New Hope, Minnesota, sponsored by the PHCC National Auxiliary, was the first- ever woman HVAC winner. Sydney Titcomb, Shapiro & Duncan in Rockville, Maryland, sponsored by Rheem, took second place; and Seth Hartman, Wolff's Plumbing & Heating, Spearfish, South Dakota, sponsored by Emerson, earned third place. In the plumbing category, Garrett Boylan, Wolff's Plumbing & Heating, Inc., Spearfish, South Dakota, sponsored by RIDGID, took home first place; Aaron Hilgendorf, Reece Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, Marion, Iowa, sponsored by Rheem, won second place; and James Allen, Century Mechanical in Fort Worth, Texas, sponsored by the Copper Development Association, took third place. The HVAC competitors were

Anthony Bertolino, Norfolk Technical Center, won 2021 Plumbing Instructor of the Year. In addition to teaching all four years of plumbing apprenticeship classes, Bertolino also runs Bertolino Plumbing & Heating, Virginia Beach, Virginia, with his brother.