CASINO NIGHT SUCCESS!!! We put the FUN in Fundraising!

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1 Gulf Coast PHCC News February Board of Directors President, Stephen Jones Raven Mechanical Vice President, Josh Hollub Modern Plumbing Secretary, Doug Turner Doug Turner Plumbing Treasurer, Phillip Johnson Air-Care Southeast Directors Eddie Hollub Modern Plumbing CASINO NIGHT SUCCESS!!! We put the FUN in Fundraising! We started the year off with a BANG! Casino Night 2015 was a huge success and our biggest to date. We had over 125 members and guests in attendance! We want to send a sincere thanks to all of our SPONSORS, without you this event wouldn t be possible! Todd Iocco Epic Services Karen Havens Pickett Plumbing Sean Giuliani Wedgeworth Plumbing We had food, gaming, raffles, silent auctions and Karaoke. The DJ rocked the house and several of our guests enjoyed a little dancing as well. Eric Vandenberg of KOHLER our Casino Night 2015 Platinum Sponsor, enjoying some Black Jack Action! George Johnson Katy Plumbers Associate Representatives: Jim McStravock Pepco Sales Glenn Fuller Texas Plumbing Supply Inside this issue: State Focus 2 The energy in the room was contagious as our members and their guests, (both contractor and associate), mingled, networked and got to know each other all while supporting GCPHCC. Thank you to our sponsors and our guests! You made this event a GREAT Success!!! Education 3 Legislative Update 4 PHCC Scholarship 5 Photos 6 Casino Sponsors 10 Upcoming Events 17 Sean Giuliani - Wedgeworth Plumbing...Singing My Way

2 Gulf Coast PHCC News State Focus State happenings shared locally By Alicia Dover, CAE Executive Director February 2015 Hands-Free Coming to a City Near You! On January 1 st, the cities of Austin and San Antonio began enforcement of a hands free law that passed during last fall s elections. A portion of the ordinance in Austin reads: Unless using a hands-free system such as Bluetooth or headphones, or an affixed GPS system, use of portable devices while moving in a car or on a bike will be a citable offense. Portable electronic device means a hand-held, mobile telephone, personal digital assistant, MP3 or other hand-held music player, electronic reading device, laptop computer, pager, broadband personal communication device, GPS or navigation system, electronic gaming device or portable computing device. Fines for being caught not using a hands-free system can be as high as $500 per offense. Not good if you rely on your mobile phone for customer calls, text messaging or a GPS tool. Tablets count as a mobile device as well. As an industry that relies on up to the minute communication, customer call backs, office to employee messaging and mapping needs, you must be able to stay in constant touch during the work day. How does your technician do this and stay safe? Will these laws affect you, the business owner or manager? From what we can gather so far in Austin and San Antonio, being hands free means both hands on the wheel at all times. In Austin, you can make a call or check a GPS or send a text at stop lights and when completely parked only. An incoming call must go to voic if you are not properly equipped with Bluetooth technology. Here at PHCC Texas, we are taking this month to educate our members on what Bluetooth means for you the contractor. Technology that allows enables you to be the most responsive to the customer and to the folks back at the office is vital. You think that your city won t ever enact a hands free law? This Legislative Session may move the entire state of Texas closer to a statewide hands-free law rather than a just a city by city ordinance. Safety and distracted driving are hot topics being heard in the halls of the Capitol. Do you go out and purchase a new fleet of trucks or vans? Or maybe you can check out these devices to assist you as you bring your current fleet into compliance: -Motorola Roadster 2 -Plantronics M50 (Mono/over one ear) -LG Electronics Tone+ (Stereo) -Jabra Drive -IOGEAR Solar Bluetooth Oh yes, one more thing: Did you know that if you are just passing through, say, on your way from Dallas to Corpus Christi, that driving on Interstate 35 through these two cities while using a mobile device, counts as an offense? So, while you may not live in a hands free city, you are affected by its reach. It s the law and it may be coming to a city near you! Won t you begin to enact practices today that ensure the safety of your employees and those they come in contact with? At PHCC Texas, we are about honoring the tagline: Best People. Best Practices. Please let me know how I can help you! alicia@phcc-tx.org or (800)

3 February 2015 Education Opportunities for 2015 Education is one of the great PHCC traditions. There are many opportunities to gain your continuing education hours and other classes you need to be successful in the industry. Classes are held around the state. You can register on-line and see a full listing of available educational opportunities at Year Round classes are generously discounted for members and their employees Instructor: Todd Iocco 24 Hour Responsible Master Plumber Training May 1-3, 2015 This 24-Hr course covers finance; legal; local, state & federal rules/regulations; Insurance - bonds - workman s comp; OSHA awareness; customer service as adopted in Section Students who successfully complete the full 3-day course will receive an official PHCC 'Certificate of Completion' as proof of having fulfilled all RMP education requirements and for filing with the TSBPE. Discounted Buda Hotel Rates: Hampton Inn Buda ( ) or Comfort Suites Buda ( ). Mention PHCC for SPECIAL PRICING ON ROOM RATES! Member Rate: $ Non-Member Rate: $ Spouse or Assistant Rate: $50.00 (Does not receive credit with TSBPE)

4 PHCC Texas Walks The Capitol Nancy Jones, CAE PHCC Texas Legislative Consultant PHCC Texas partnered with the Texas Construction Association on January 28 for a very successful Walk on the Capitol event. Thirty PHCC Texas members participated in the event, including four Young Professional members. PHCC Texas members visited over 60 offices a record number of legislative visits! Those participating were: Milton and Patty Frank, Jessica Burden, Ray Jones, Doug and Clayton Turner, Phillip Johnson, Carter Ramzel, Pat Freund, Robi Jalnos, Rick and Fran Shelton, Ken and Korey Boen, Ricky Stecher, Craig Lewis, Sam Dowdy, Dickie McCurdy, Ben Friedman, Alex Aguirre, John Marek, Liz Dowdy, Perry Beyer, Sherill Stanush, Nathan Cernosek, Bret Bartley, Brit Moreland, Don Harrell, Alicia Dover, Nancy Jones, and lobbyists Dan Shelley and Jennifer Rodriguez. The Young Professional representatives are Korey Boen, Clayton Turner, Jessica Burden and Liz Dowdy. At each legislative office, PHCC Texas members discussed our draft bill, which adds includes: adding responsible to the master plumber language in the law, and increasing the certified apprentice hours toward the license exam from 500 hours to 1000 hours. This will enable a certified apprentice to become a licensed plumber sooner, therefore allowing him to jumpstart his career as he enters the workforce. As we met with legislators during the day, we found that there will be numerous bills filed that will enhance HB5, which passed last session bills that will help our schools establish technical training curriculum, instructors and career readiness. Texas Construction Association issues were also delivered to the legislator s offices. These issues are: consolidated insurance programs, lender notice to contractors, retainage trust funds, surety bonds and worker classification. This legislative session is well on its way to be an exciting one! The Senate voted to change its long-standing 2/3 rule to a 60% rule for bringing legislation to the floor. Only nineteen votes will now be required to bring a bill up for a floor vote. This rule change ensures that eleven Senate Democrats will not be able to block bills from consideration by the full Senate. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick released committee assignments on January 23 rd. There are fourteen standing committees and one subcommittee. Twelve of the committees have Republican chairmen and two will be chaired by Democrats. It is expected that the House will release its committee chairmen and committee members soon. PHCC Texas will monitor the goings on at the Capitol daily and we will frequent updates. If you have suggestions or input of any kind, please me at njones@phcc-tx.org. Also, if you have a good relationship with a member of the Senate or House, please let me know. Thanks for your great support!

5 Associated Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Texas Charitable and Educational Foundation EIN Trademark Drive Buda, Texas DEADLINE MARCH 31, 2015 Have A Graduating High School Senior? Looking for Scholarship Opportunities? PHCC Can Help! 2014 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS 1. Scholarships up to $2000 will be awarded each year. All applicants must be seniors in high school and graduate no later than July 15 in the year that the scholarship is awarded. Scholarship applications will be mailed out to all APHCC-Texas Contractor Members by February 2, in the year the scholarship is awarded. It is not necessary that the recipient attend a four-year college. Recipients may attend a two-year college or a building trades school. 2. All applicants must be a son/daughter of an APHCC-Texas Contractor Member or a son/daughter of an employee. 3. The membership dues of the APHCC-Texas Contractor Member Company must be current. 4. All scholarship applicants must be at least a senior in high school and require the graduation of the student from said high school. All applicants must be seniors in high school and graduate no later than July 15 in the year that the scholarship is awarded. No applicant will be excluded or favored because of gender, race, religion or national origin. 5. The institution attended by the recipient will be required to send notification to the committee if the student drops out of school before successful completion of the semester/course curriculum. If the student withdraws from the institution, he/she will be sent notification to pay the amount expended back to the Foundation. CLICK HERE FOR FULL INSTRUCTIONS AND FOR APPLICATION

6 Gulf Coast PHCC News Denise Iooco Epic Services staking her claim on the Yeti Cooler Silent Auction Sponsors: Joe Hall Westway Sales & Mary Phelps American Standard having fun at the gaming tables

7 February 2015 Sponsor: Bennett Cromer Federated Insurance & Milton & Patty Frank posing for a picture Doug Tuner Doug Turner Plumbing & Guest having a FUN time!

8 Gulf Coast PHCC News We love when members submit news articles and stories from around the state. This can be special news about your business or sharing interesting articles you have found. Please submit your Member News to Jennifer Wilkins CHARLES CRITTENDEN (CHARLIE) MAC HAIK DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM COMMERCIAL FLEET BUSINESS LINK SALES MANAGER CELL# OFF# FAX# commercial.htm

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10 Because of you Casino Night was a Great SUCCESS! PLATINUM SPONSOR KOHLER GOLD SPONSORS American Standard/PMI Federated Insurance MacHaik Dodge Morrison Supply Katy Plumbing Texas Plumbing Supply SILVER SPONSORS Uponor NORMAC Champion Restoration Modern Plumbing Pickett Plumbing Blackmon Mooring Oatey Services Milwaukee Tools Moore Supply (League City) Champion Marketing Alliance Manufacturing Reps Raven Mechanical BRONZE SPONSORS Doug Turner Plumbing CWR New Age Casting VIEGA Emergency Services Restoration Westway Sales Morrison Supply (Stafford)

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17 February 2015 Upcoming Events There are many upcoming exciting PHCC Events for our members. We have local events as well as events put on by the PHCC-TX state office. Be sure to check the websites for a full listing of events. You can also visit our other local chapters: Our monthly member lunches are usually held the 2nd Wednesday of each month (with the exception of one or two events). We host the lunch meetings at Saltgrass Steakhouse located at : 1803 Shepherd Dr. Houston, TX You can pre-register and pay for your lunch on our website events February 18th - Member DINNER, Saltgrass Steakhouse March 11th - Member Lunch, Saltgrass Steakhouse April 22nd - SERVICE TRUCK COMPETITION & Dinner, Brady s Landing May - Member LUNCH, Saltgrass Steakhouse - SPEAKER TBA June NO LOCAL MEETING, SUMMER BREAK June 11 June 12 TEXAS ROUND UP CONVENTION, Galveston MEMBERS we want your NEWS! Send us your events, industry news articles or company announcements. We will include them in the next upcoming issue of our newsletter. Please submissions to jwikins@gulfcoastphcc.org by the 5th of each month.