Next Gen All Star: Alexys Flanders
AGE: 19
COMPANY: Wilson Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning, Pepperell, Massachusetts
TITLE: Service technician
How long have you been in the PHCP-PVF industry?
AF: I’ve been in the industry for five years.
What drew you into the industry?
AF: I liked the work and the rewards the industry offered.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in the industry?
AF: The most rewarding aspect is finally being able to get respect when I prove I know what I am doing. Being a woman means I have to prove that point. It is never assumed that I know what I am doing.
What is one thing you wish more people knew/understood about the PHCP-PVF industry?
AF: I wish more people took into consideration that most of the time you are doing physical labor. Sometimes the space you need to check out is in a crawl space or an attic and I have to crawl in to fix the problem. I also wish people took into account that 90% of the time, the customer does not understand the problem and explaining it to them can be difficult.
What has been the proudest moment in your career so far?
AF: The proudest moment in my career was when I felt I finally earned respect from my fellow technicians and customers, and I saw how people trusted and relied on me.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
AF: One thing most people don’t know about me is that on the weekends I work on building my own truck.
Why she was chosen as a Next Gen All Star Top 20 Under 40 winner:
“I’ve known Alexys for over a year now and she is one of the bravest plumbers I’ve ever met. She is the only woman plumber we have! Alexys is 19 and started with Wilson Brothers right out of school. From day one, she stood tall and proud, working with all the men she has on her team. She is the best plumber we have, and customers request her often. It’s not every day that a woman plumber shows up at your door ready to help. She puts many of our customers at ease when they schedule their appointment on a day that they might be home alone. I wish female plumbers like her were easier to come by, but with such a small percentage of women in the trades, she may be the only female plumber we will have for a long time.
“I want to nominate her because she never gives herself enough credit for her hard work and because young girls need to see more women being successful in the trades. Alexys is already helping to pave the way for more girls to consider the trades. She participated in the first-ever Tools & Tiaras Boston Summer Camp on Aug. 13, where she ran a plumbing activity with 15 girls ages 6-10 to help show them that they too can be like her if they wish. She is already working to make a change in her industry, and only at 19 years old. I can only imagine how much more she will accomplish in the years to come,” says Erin Joyce-Brady.
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