 It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend and esteemed instructor, Johnnie "Buddy" Sampson, Jr., who left us on September 21, 2024. Buddy was not only a dedicated member of our PHCC community but also a cherished mentor to many aspiring plumbing professionals.
Born on May 8, 1957, Buddy’s impact on the industry was immeasurable. He brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to our classrooms, teaching both continuing education and preparation courses. His passion for plumbing and commitment to his students was evident in everything he did. As our Education Coordinator Cindy Lawton beautifully expressed, “Buddy was long admired for his passion and commitment to his students. We were so blessed to have Buddy as an instructor and friend. He always made himself available to plumbers he taught over the years as they valued his guidance and friendship. He will truly be missed.”
Buddy’s legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched through his teaching and mentorship. He leaves behind a loving family, including his children, grandchild, brother, sisters, nieces, and nephews, who will carry his memory forward.
In honor of Buddy's life and contributions, we encourage all of you to consider supporting the ThriveWell Cancer Foundation, as requested by his family. Your donations can help further their mission and serve those in need. You can donate at www.thrivewell.org. Additionally, if you wish to plant trees in memory of Buddy, please visit the Sympathy Store.
A visitation service for family and friends will be held on Friday, October 25, from 2 to 5 p.m. at FuneralCaring Funeral Home, located at 2621 Mossrock, San Antonio, TX 78230.
Let us remember Buddy for the joy he brought to our community and the dedication he showed to his craft. He will be deeply missed, but his spirit will forever remain a part of the PHCC TX family.
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.png) At PHCC Texas, we believe leadership, advocacy, and education empower our industry and improve lives. In light of recent natural disasters, like Hurricanes Helene and Milton, we invite you to lend your support through donations or volunteering.
Why Your Support Matters
The recent hurricanes have devastated communities, leaving many without basic necessities like clean water and sanitation. As professionals in plumbing, heating, and cooling, we have a unique opportunity to help restore essential services.
Get Involved with IWSH
The International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) is making a significant impact by providing clean water and sanitation solutions to underserved communities. Your support can help them continue their critical work in disaster relief.
Support the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross plays a vital role in broader disaster response, providing shelter, food, and rebuilding efforts. Consider donating to their Hurricane Relief Fund to ensure aid reaches those who need it most.
How You Can Help:
1. Donate to IWSH: Support sustainable sanitation systems.
2. Contribute to the Red Cross: Help provide essential resources.
3. Volunteer Your Skills: If you’re a PHCC Texas member, lend your plumbing expertise.
Together, we can make a difference for families and communities in need. For questions or more information on how to get involved, reach out to us at PHCC Texas.
Thank you for your support!
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Your employees are often your first line of defense in keeping your digital business assets secure. Using regular training programs and implementing a cyber risk management plan can be an effective way to build your line of defense against digital threats that could negatively impact your business, valuable information, and profits. Consider the following:
Conduct Frequent Employee Training
- Phishing Awareness - Teach employees to recognize common phishing tactics, such as suspicious emails and fraudulent links.
- Safe Browsing Habits - Instruct staff on best practices for navigating the internet securely, including how to identify secure websites.
- Password Management - Encourage the use of strong, unique passwords and emphasize the importance of changing them regularly.
- Regular Training - Use simulations and refresher courses to help reinforce cyber security knowledge.
Utilize a Risk Management Plan
- Regular Vulnerability Assessments - Conduct routine checks to identify and evaluate potential cyber risks within the organization.
- Automated Security Protocols - Implement automated systems to oversee security measures, ensuring timely updates and responses to threats.
- Incident Response Plans - Develop clear and structured response strategies for addressing data breaches or cyberattacks effectively.
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Our 2024 courses are approved by TSBPE for all licenses expiring in 2024 and also meets the annual continuing education requirement for licenses expiring in preceding years.
Upcoming Courses in November:
Find by Location:
or Find by Course Type:
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"A training course for service contractors by service contractors"
How do you train a technician to be productive and able to run a service truck in record time? Take a look at the Foundation's Fast Track to Service & Repair Plumbing, available through our PHCC Academy® learning platform. This revamped program, originally developed by Quality Service Contractors (QSC), gives participants focused and timely service and repair plumbing training.
Designed for contractors by contractors, this comprehensive entry-level training is targeted at employees who do residential or commercial plumbing service and repair work. Year-round open enrollment is available so employees can begin today.
The Fast Track program meets the eligibility requirements for the Foundation scholarship program, so enrollees can apply for a scholarship to help with the registration fee. Please see the scholarship webpage for details and the application deadline.
Students study at their own pace as the work week permits, with most students finishing in nine to 12 months. The course includes 34 training modules critical for the success of today's plumbing service and repair proffesionals. Topics include: safety, customer service, plumbing and electrical work, basic business skills, and more.
Fast Track to Service Plumbing was made possible through generous support from PHCC members, manufacturers, and industry partners to the PHCC Educational Foundation.
Contact the PHCC State Office (512) 523-8094 or learn more here.
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What happens if you don’t have a plan?
Without a plan, your state could determine who receives your assets and how much will go to them. Children may receive their share when they reach the age of majority, regardless of whether they are prepared to handle it. A court could decide who is best suited to raise your children.
What about your business?Statistics show that less than one third of family businesses survive from the first to the second generation, and even fewer (13%) survive another transition to the third without an identified buyer and negotiated terms for a sale in a buy-sell agreement, your family could end up selling the business for pennies on the dollar.
What can you do?An attorney who specializes in estate and business succession can discuss a wide range of planning options and help you develop a plan that best fits your needs.
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 Question:
We are a small office with a hybrid remote/in-office work arrangement. We are trying to boost employee morale and get employees to come into the office more often. Are we allowed to celebrate employees’ birthdays? We were thinking something simple like having everyone get together in the conference room to have cake whenever it’s someone’s birthday.
Answer:
Celebrating employees’ birthdays can be a positive way for employers to build team rapport and show employees that employers value them. That said, employers should be aware of potential issues.
When implementing a birthday recognition program, employers should be mindful of respecting employees' privacy and preferences as well as avoiding discrimination concerns. One way to respectfully celebrate is to highlight employees born in the same month (which protects their actual birth date and age). Employers could also allow employees to voluntarily opt into the birthday recognition celebrations or have a way to easily opt out (such as a person they can contact if they would prefer not to have their birthday shared).
Furthermore, employers should be aware that some employees may have allergies, making them unable to eat cake or certain other foods. Employers should give employees the choice of whether they wish to have cake or a different food.
It is always important to ensure that any workplace practice complies with broader principles of privacy and non-discrimination, even at a seemingly simple level, like birthday celebrations. Employers should work with local counsel for assistance with creating policies and practices that help boost employee morale while complying with all applicable laws.
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Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan announced longtime lobbyist Mike Toomey as his new chief of staff. Toomey is a former lawmaker turned lobbyist who has also served as chief of staff for multiple governors. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry also joined Speaker Phelan’s staff temporarily as a senior advisor. Toomey and Perry were classmates in the Texas House in the 1980s and Toomey later served as chief of staff for Governor Perry.
The Texas House of Representatives will elect its speaker when the legislature convenes January 14, 2025. There are now seven announced candidates, including current Speaker Phelan. Republicans David Cook, James Frank, Tom Oliverson, Shelby Slawson, John Smithee and Democrat Ana-Maria Ramos have all announced their intentions to challenge Speaker Phelan for the position.
The Senate Finance Committee received testimony related to the elimination of property taxes and was told it would cost the state approximately $81 billion annually to replace tax. For perspective, the current two-year state budget is approximately $144 billion.
Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the launch of an illegal voting email tipline (illegalvoting@oag.texas.gov) for members of the public to report suspected violations of Texas election law. This follows an announcement by the Texas Secretary of State’s office that it intends to assign state inspectors to Harris County during the November election to observe the handling and counting of ballots and monitoring of election records. The SOS said the decision is the result of a recent audit of Harris County elections from 2021 and 2022.
Steve McCraw, Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, announced his plans to retire at the end of the year. Director McCraw has served as the head of law enforcement for Texas for more than 15 years.
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As a plumber or HVAC contractor in Texas, joining PHCC Texas unlocks a wealth of benefits designed to help you thrive in today’s competitive market. Here’s how our membership can make a difference for you:
Best Practice Sharing: Tap into a vast network of professionals to exchange insights and strategies. Learn from the best in the industry and stay ahead of the curve with cutting-edge practices.
Advocacy: Benefit from our strong voice in legislative and regulatory matters. PHCC Texas advocates on your behalf to ensure that your interests are represented and protected.
Workforce Development: Invest in your team's future by sending apprentices to our comprehensive training programs. With options available online or in-person in San Antonio and Dallas, you’ll ensure your workforce is skilled and ready.
Expert & Affordable Training: Gain access to high-quality, cost-effective training designed to enhance your skills and knowledge. From technical courses to business management, our programs are tailored to meet your needs.
Savings & Discounts: Enjoy exclusive member discounts on tools, equipment, and services. Our partnerships with industry vendors translate into significant savings for your business.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with a community of like-minded professionals through our events and activities. Build relationships that could lead to new opportunities and collaborations.
Enhanced Visibility: Your business will be prominently featured in our annual Membership Directory, increasing your visibility and connecting you with potential clients and partners.
Joining PHCC Texas equips you with the resources, tools, and support you need to strengthen your business now and into the future. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of a powerful network dedicated to your success.
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Walk the Capitol Day February 12, 2025
Texas Capitol
1100 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
More info coming soon!
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Heat Pump Training November 19, 2024
11:00 a.m. CT
Pepco Sales & Marketing
13939 Fallbrook Drive
Cypress, TX 77429
MiFAB + Cougar USA Lunch Meeting November 14, 2024
11:30 a.m. CT
8850 Fallbrook Dr
Houston, TX 77064
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Annual Business Meeting November 14, 2024
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Many business owners are unaware of a new federal reporting requirement. The Corporate Transparency Act, effective January 1, 2024, requires companies to report information about individuals who own or control businesses to the U.S. Treasury Department's FINCEN.
Key Points:
- Companies created before January 1, 2024, must file the initial Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOI) by January 1, 2025.
- Companies registered in 2024 have 90 days from registration to file the initial BOI report.
- Reporting companies include domestic or foreign corporations, LLCs, DBAs registered with a Secretary of State's office, and similar entities.
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Finding the best employees – full-time, part-time, or contract labor – is tougher than ever. The newest PHCC Texas member benefit, stand-alone Teladoc Telemedicine, allows you to take advantage of a more healthy, present, and loyal workforce – the incredible PHCC-members-only pricing is only $10/month/family. To learn more, contact our benefit representative, Michael Lerman.
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Fueling solutions for business: streamline how you manage your company’s fuel expenses. The more your employees fuel at Exxon and Mobil, the more they maximize your rebates.
For questions and/or to start an application, call (443) 668-8425 or email Juan Munoz.
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“Best People and Best Practices” deserve the best technology. With over 300 Texas PHCC members, reliable technology should be available to streamline processes and simplify the nature of the business.
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Home and business owners go to great lengths to minimize damage and ensure their plumbing systems are safe, efficient, and sustainable. When exploring options for installations, repairs, or upgrades, maintain peace of mind by hiring licensed. While there's no guarantee that everything will go exactly as planned, hiring a licensed professional will provide increased assurance of protection.
Members of PHCC Texas are licensed by the State of Texas, and the public can be confident that they will be employing someone with the necessary skills and commitment to high standards.
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