Ashland City,
Tenn. – A. O. Smith, the
leading manufacturer of hot water systems for homes and businesses, has partnered with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling
Contractors (PHCC) Educational Foundation to award scholarships to five
outstanding students in pursuit of
careers as plumbing and mechanical professionals.
The Charlie Wallace Service Scholarship and A. O. Smith
Scholarship are $2,500 individual awards given to top-performing students enrolled in a plumbing-heating-cooling related
course of study.
Charlie Wallace
Service Award Scholarships
This is the second year A.
O. Smith and PHCC have partnered to fund the Charlie Wallace Service scholarships,
named after the former COO of PHCC Quality Service Contractors who served as
a prominent leader in the industry for 17 years. This year’s winners are Grace Brekke of
Oakland, Calif., and Elpidio Arroyo of Santa Ana, Calif..
Brekke is studying construction management at California
Polytech State University, San Luis Obsipo. She plans to use the PHCC
scholarship to become a project manager at a construction company. Arroyo is
studying plumbing installation and repair at PHCC Orange County/San Bernardino
Apprentice School. He plans to use his education to become up-to-date with the
laws, regulations, codes and technology affiliated with the plumbing trade.
A. O. Smith
Scholarship Awards
This is the 14th year for the A. O. Smith Scholarship Award.
This year’s award winners are Ronald Butkus of Wausau, Wis., Travis Durkee of Poway,
Calif., and Isaia Ferarita of Riverside, Calif..
Butkus is studying plumbing installation, service and repair at North
Central Technical College in Wausau. After the program, he plans to pursue a
journeyman plumber certification and open an independent plumbing and
mechanical business. Durkee is studying plumbing installation, service and
repair at the PHCC San Diego. He intends to become a master plumber and
transition into a management position. Ferarita is studying plumbing
installation, service and repair at PHCC Orange County/San Bernardino
Apprentice School. With the PHCC scholarship, he plans to become certified as a
plumber and become a city inspector.
“It is truly an honor to work with such intelligent, driven
and ambitious students,” said David Chisolm, vice president of marketing at A.
O. Smith. “We are proud to sponsor a scholarship that strengthens the industry
by supporting highly qualified students entering a career in the trades.”
About PHCC Educational Foundation
The
PHCC Educational Foundation, a partnership of contractors, manufacturers, and
wholesalers, was founded in 1987 to serve the plumbing-heating-cooling industry
by preparing contractors and their employees to meet the challenges of a
constantly changing marketplace. Students interested in pursuing a career in
the plumbing or HVACR professions are invited to visit phccfoundation.org
for information on 2016 scholarships.