Next Gen All Star: Evan Berns

By Nicole Krawcke

Evan Berns

AGE: 22

COMPANY: THE PLUMBING PROS

TITLE: LEAD TECHNICIAN

How long have you been in the PHCP-PVF industry?

EB: 4 years

What drew you into the industry?

EB: My brother-in-law needed someone to take over the day-to-day operations of his service and repair plumbing business. I already knew I loved working with my hands and fixing things so I was eager to learn the plumbing trade and get to work.

What is the most rewarding aspect of working in the industry?

EB: I think finding a solution for my customers and getting them back up and running is the best feeling. Aside from side, I love engaging with the online community of plumbers and tradesmen that I have met.

What motivates you every day?

EB: My wife and daughter are the reason why I do everything. I want them to have a secure and comfortable future and I think the trades are a great way to accomplish that.

What is one thing you wish more people knew/understood about the PHCP-PVF industry?

EB: I wish people knew that it doesn’t have to be a backup plan. When I was coming out of high school, it seemed like the only question was, ‘What college are you going to?’ Nobody seemed to be worried about figuring out what they actually liked doing or what was going to get them a paycheck. The trades are often looked at as a Plan B.

What has been the proudest moment in your career so far?

EB: I take great pride in being the youngest member of each ambassador program I belong to. I love being able to represent a generation of plumbers that aren’t heard from very often.

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

EB: I have a pet snake and a clownfish.

Why he was chosen as a Next Gen All Star Top 20 Under 40 winner:

“Evan Berns has made significant contributions to the plumbing industry in a short time. As a fourth-year plumbing apprentice, he runs his own van and executes all service work for a small local company in California. The young apprentice has become a force to reckon with on social media, using his humor and educational content to promote plumbing and the Oatey brand.

“On Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, he goes by the username @re.plumb. Evan has become one of the plumbing industry's most prominent social media influencers, a platform he uses to demystify plumbing and create a connection with his audience. He incorporates humor and educational content in his videos and images to make plumbing fun and less intimidating. By doing so, he is contributing to the industry's growth, as more people develop an interest in plumbing. His Oatey content alone has posted a total of 19.2 million impressions, 38.1 million views, and 934.2K engagements year-to-date (YTD). These statistics indicate Evan's impact on the plumbing industry, Oatey brand image, and youth.

“Evan's social media contributions are remarkable and worthy of recognition. By promoting and educating the public about the plumbing industry, he has helped to showcase the critical role of plumbing in our daily lives. Moreover, Evan's content is informative, humorous and educational, effectively engaging non-plumbers in the plumbing conversation. This, in turn, encourages more young people to pursue plumbing as a career option, consequently promoting the industry's growth.” — Madelyn Young, Greenhouse Digital + PR

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Nicole Krawcke is the former Chief Editor of Plumbing & Mechanical and PM Engineer magazines. She covered the HVAC and plumbing industries for BNP Media. She has more than 15 years of writing and editing experience and holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University.