When I walk into the bathroom from my childhood home, I can remember the time I spilled a bottle of my mom’s dark red nail polish all over the white tile floor (which we never quite managed to get out completely). Sitting on the edge of the bathtub, watching my dad fix the leaky pipe under the sink, I was given the honor of holding the flashlight for him while he worked. Stepping into the kitchen transports me back to the time I came home from school to find that my mom had decided she couldn’t stand to look at the outdated flooring for one more day, and had taken it upon herself to pull it all up on her own.

One thing is for certain: there was (and still is) always work to be done. Whenever I go back to my childhood home today, there’s something new – as big as a shower head or sink or as small as a new picture – that my dad has installed at the request of my mom, who is determined to have the Pinterest perfect house. Thankfully, my dad is always up for the challenge – whether that means changing the hardware on the sink to brushed gold instead of matte black or hanging another mirror on the wall that will be changed in three months.

My great-grandfather owned a very successful (at least by small town standards) plumbing and sewage tank installation company, and he taught my dad everything he knew. My younger brother got that same knowledge, and he went to trade school when he graduated. While they’ve both settled into other careers in the last few years, they’re still the go-to for a lot of people who need something fixed or installed. After all, you can’t beat the kind of trust that they’ve built after working in the industry for years.

It’s a great time to be in this industry—not just because of emerging technology and innovative products, but because the plumbing industry is where design meets function and tradition meets innovation.

When I told my family that I was making a career change and joining the Supply House Times and Plumbing & Mechanical team, they were a little surprised. But, to me, those memories of watching them work have always been some of my favorites. Seeing my dad take something that was old, outdated and broken and completely transform it into something that anyone would be proud to show off was – and still is – incredible. Being able to identify a problem and solve it is something that I’ve always admired. Where some see a lost cause, others see room for improvement; a project to take on.

It’s a great time to be in this industry—not just because of emerging technology and innovative products, but because the plumbing industry is where design meets function and tradition meets innovation. It’s where my dad’s passed-down skills and knowledge meet my mom’s need to have the latest look.

I’m so excited to be the new editor for the Plumbing & Mechanical Group, and I can’t wait to hear from you— our readers, our experts and our innovators — about what inspires you, challenges you, and motivates you. As editor, I’m committed to bringing you stories that matter — highlighting the people behind the products and showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship in design and installation. It’s my goal to keep you informed on the latest and greatest trends, tools, and technologies that are shaping our industry.

Please reach out with any questions, comments, or just to say hello. I look forward to being your source for all things plumbing, heating, hydronics and bath and kitchen.