• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • CONTRACTORS
  • ENGINEERS
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
  • INSIGHTS
  • MEDIA
  • RESOURCES
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP!
cart
facebook instagram twitter linkedin youtube
  • CONTRACTORS
  • BATH & KITCHEN PRO
  • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
  • HIGH EFFICIENCY HOMES
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • WATER TREATMENT
  • PMC COLUMNS
  • PMC COLUMNS
  • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
  • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
  • Kenny Chapman: The Blue Collar Coach
  • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
  • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
  • CONTINUING EDUCATION
  • DECARBONIZATION | ELECTRIFICATION
  • FIRE PROTECTION
  • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
  • PIPING | PLUMBING | PVF
  • PME COLUMNS
  • PME COLUMNS
  • Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights
  • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
  • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
  • John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design
  • Lowell Manalo: Plumbing Essentials
  • Misty Guard: Guard on Compliance
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
  • RADIANT COMFORT REPORT
  • THE GLITCH & THE FIX
  • INSIGHTS
  • CODES
  • GREEN PLUMBING & MECHANICAL
  • PROJECT PROFILES
  • COLUMNS
  • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • COLUMNS
  • Codes Corner
  • Natalie Forster: Editorial Opinion
  • Guest Editorial
  • MEDIA
  • PODCASTS
  • VIDEOS
  • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
  • INDUSTRY CALENDAR
  • DIRECTORIES
  • EBOOKS
  • PM BOOKSTORE
  • CE CENTER
  • MARKET RESEARCH
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EMAGAZINE
  • EMAGAZINE
  • ARCHIVE ISSUES
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • PME EMAGAZINE ARCHIVES
search
cart
facebook instagram twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • CONTRACTORS
    • BATH & KITCHEN PRO
    • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
    • HIGH EFFICIENCY HOMES
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • WATER TREATMENT
    • PMC COLUMNS
      • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
      • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
      • Kenny Chapman: The Blue Collar Coach
      • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
      • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
    • CONTINUING EDUCATION
    • DECARBONIZATION | ELECTRIFICATION
    • FIRE PROTECTION
    • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
    • PIPING | PLUMBING | PVF
    • PME COLUMNS
      • Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights
      • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
      • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
      • John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design
      • Lowell Manalo: Plumbing Essentials
      • Misty Guard: Guard on Compliance
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
    • RADIANT COMFORT REPORT
    • THE GLITCH & THE FIX
  • INSIGHTS
    • CODES
    • GREEN PLUMBING & MECHANICAL
    • PROJECT PROFILES
    • COLUMNS
      • Codes Corner
      • Natalie Forster: Editorial Opinion
      • Guest Editorial
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • MEDIA
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • INDUSTRY CALENDAR
    • DIRECTORIES
    • EBOOKS
    • PM BOOKSTORE
    • CE CENTER
    • MARKET RESEARCH
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
    • PME EMAGAZINE ARCHIVES
  • SIGN UP!
Columns

You Have To Give Something Back

By Paul Ridilla
January 12, 2006
I was fortunate enough to be born into a construction family and work my whole life among the proud people of this great industry. Just as so many of these industrious people helped me become successful, I have dedicated my life to helping everyone I could in any situation. Luckily, I have usually been in a position to do so.

So, just who is Paul Ridilla? Possibly the one word that best describes me is maverick. Webster's dictionary defines that word as: “an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party.” Please understand, I'm not stubborn or inflexible, but I have always searched for, found and benefited from that proverbial “there is always a better way” mind-set.

Let me share some of the reasons and circumstances that justify doing it “my way.” (Remember Frank Sinatra's hit recording, “My Way”? That's a pretty good résumé of my own life.)

I was born in Latrobe, Pa., in 1931, ninth in a contractor's family of 13. This was the start of our Great Depression and I needed to be independent to survive. I went on my Pap's payroll at age 8 doing all crafts on mostly residential and small commercial construction projects. Everyone in my family is a born craftsman, even the girls, and we inherited that ability to build whatever needed to be built, repaired or replaced.

On Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and America went to war. We did not have a full-time military, so they drafted the eligible men from age 18 to 38, and the government encouraged women into the factory jobs. We did not have enough guns, ammunition, ships, planes, tanks, etc., nor were our factories equipped to build them. The government rationed food, gasoline, tires and building products in order to support our troops.

This war effort required mega construction manpower to convert our peacetime factories into wartime production. Since my Pap and our family were builders, we went into the factories, removed the existing machinery and foundations, poured new foundations, installed wartime machines and connected everything necessary to produce what our troops desperately needed.

I worked after school and weekends doing industrial construction without an apprenticeship or any type of training. Easy to see how all of this would produce a maverick, isn't it?

My Pap was totally open shop, but my oldest brother started his own union construction company in 1944. This gave me insight to the good and bad of union, open shop and double-breasted operations.

I was a superintendent running jobs at age 16, going to the job before and after high school classes. (Keep in mind, though, I did start working at age 8!) At 22, I became executive vice president of Dill Construction (my brother Johnny's company) and successfully quadrupled the company's size and profit.

Retirement came at age 40, and I started my consulting business to help other contractors do what we were doing. My goal was to work in all 50 states, which took me 15 years; I also have worked throughout Canada. (Being an avid hunter and fisherman, it is always a fantastic bonus to visit Canada!)

When BNP was considering publishing Plumbing & Mechanical, I was asked to write this column to help the magazine's readers. This opportunity multiplied my opportunities to “give something back” to our great industry.

I also wrote my book, “Born To Build,” to help parents recognize, understand and guide their gifted children into our industry.

All Work & No Play ...

My work has always been challenging, exciting, rewarding and fun. But I'm not a workaholic without other interests. I give every ounce of my ability and energy every day at work to provide enough spare time and money to spend time with and enjoy my family and fulfill our dreams.

I married the most wonderful lady I've ever known, and probably the only one who would put up with me all these years. We've raised eight children, have 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She and I have traveled to Europe, South America, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, Alaska and most of the rest of America. We always enjoy seeing the world, but our favorite place to be is with our kids and grandkids.

Although I carried a 10 handicap at Arnold Palmer Country Club in Latrobe, hunting and fishing top my list of hobbies. My best hunting experience was taking my grandson Barry Johnson deer hunting for his first time (he was age 12 then; now he's in his first year of law school). On our last day, he bagged a nice buck. We were both near tears when he posed for the photo that appears with this article.

When we lived in Pennsylvania, we maintained season tickets to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers games, and went to many golf tournaments, especially if Arnie was playing. Since moving to Florida, I mostly attend little league, high school and college sports where my grandchildren are playing. And, of course, I do like watching baseball, football and professional golf on television.

As you may have assumed, my all-time favorite hobby was and is designing and helping to build and remodel homes for my wife and children. I've gotten a real kick out of sharing my knowledge and experience with them. However, they tell me the best part is hanging over my shoulder watching me draw the floor plans, elevations and some areas in perspective and then watching this house on paper become their beloved homes with everything just the way they want it!

I volunteered as an apprenticeship instructor to pass on some of my expertise to our future craftsmen. And, as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, I enjoy helping to resolve unsettled claims.

Even though I am a maverick and do things my way, my thinking has always been somewhat conservative: do what is right, don't take advantage of people, keep healthy, don't take stupid chances, help others, don't drink or smoke - you get the picture. I am a “clean liver.” However, I was scheduled for consulting with a contractor in New Hampshire, who was a free-fall sky diver, and he invited me to go along with him when I came to work with his company. At age 65, I was curious and thought this would be not only interesting but fun to do.

When I told my family about my up-and-coming adventure, my son Jack was secretly envious; but my wife and daughters were horrified and thought for sure I would die or at least be badly broken up. The accompanying photo proves I not only lived through it but, even with a wind-contorted face, I was smiling all the way down.

I am safety director for seven companies here in Central Florida and am qualified to provide OSHA's 10-hour and 30-hour training courses. (I'm also very proud to be a 10-gallon blood donor.) In addition, I am a sponsor for Florida's Continuing Education Credits program for which every licensed contractor is required to obtain 14 hours credit to renew his license every two years.

I attended one semester of civil engineering at Bucknell University in 1949, and came back to our family company to do what I liked best. I've attended dozens of after-hour college courses and seminars since then to gain the critical “book learning” I needed to run our company.

My personal goal, when I began my consulting business, was to spend at least a one-day training session explaining to every foreman how to coach, motivate, discipline and reward his (or her!) employees. We call this “three P's in a pod” (pride, productivity and profit). Our critical skilled-labor shortage would disappear if we changed indentured apprentices to skilled craft interns doing proud craftsmanship work with well-trained mentors.

It is obvious that Paul Ridilla will never be able to reach every foreman in every trade of our industry. Surely you realize there are millions of retired craftsmen, foremen, superintendents, project managers and contractors with similar knowledge and experience who would also be very happy to give something back to our industry.

We have millions of green employees who desperately need their expertise. This is my Green & Gold Mentoring program. You should recruit any Gold mentor you know, ask your employees about their friends and relatives, talk to DIY retail employees and your supply houses, and eat breakfast early at any restaurant that is open - they are there!

I guess that pretty much covers who I am and how much of an adventure life has been for me doing things my way. As Frank Sinatra sang, “Regrets, I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention.” I can really relate to that.

I'm proud to be an American, a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a contractor/ craftsman/consultant. I have had one hell of a good life, and I wish everyone were as lucky as me.

I'd like to extend to each and every one of you a happy and prosperous New Year, and would be flattered to help you make that come true. If you need help, please call or e-mail me.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Ridilla

Questions? Need help? Call Paul at 407/699-8515, on his cell at 407/467-4916 or e-mail him (reference Plumbing & Mechanical magazine).

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Worker using the Milwaukee Tool SWITCH PACK drain cleaner

    Pipeline profits: Drain cleaning, pipe inspection create opportunities

    Drain cleaning and inspection services offer lucrative...
    Green Plumbing and Mechanical
    By: Nicole Krawcke
  • Uponor employee, Arturo Moreno

    The reinvestment in American manufacturing and training

    Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke and...
    Plumbing News
    By: Nicole Krawcke and Natalie Forster
  • March 2024 Women in Plumbing hero image of woman engineer overlayed by circle of hexagon shapes with numbers from 1 to 10

    Celebrating 10 Influential Women in the Plumbing Industry

    Celebrating Women's History Month and Women in...
    Plumbing News
    By: Nicole Krawcke
close

1 COMPLIMENTARY ARTICLE(S) LEFT

Loader

Already a Registered User? Sign in now.

Subscribe For Free!
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine
  • Manage My Preferences

NIBCO Press Solutions

NIBCO Press Solutions

Bell & Gossett Illustrates Path to Net-zero at AHR Expo

Bell & Gossett Illustrates Path to Net-zero at AHR Expo

IPEX celebrates grand opening of new Florida distribution center

IPEX celebrates grand opening of new Florida distribution center

AI can boost efficiency and profitability for plumbing, HVAC contractors

AI can boost efficiency and profitability for plumbing, HVAC contractors

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Plumbing & Mechanical audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Plumbing & Mechanical or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • J.J. Keller CMV vehicles on road
    Sponsored byJ. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

    The dash cam game-changer for small business safety

Popular Stories

The interior of a government building.

President Trump signs executive order promoting skilled trades and apprenticeships

Underfloor heating installation with drain sewer hole in bathroom close up on water floor heating.

Using hydronics to leverage time-of-use electrical rates

Watts Nexa mobile image

Behind the Wall: Where smart plumbing gets smarter

PMCE Home-X April 29 Free Webinar: From Legacy to Leadership: Preparing Your Home Services Business for the Next Generation

Events

November 13, 2024

Future Proofing MEP: Navigating the 2026 High Efficiency Water Heating Standards

Join our deep dive into DOE’s new standards so you can future-proof your MEP practice.

EARN: 0.1 ASPE CEU; 1 AIA LU/HSW; 0.1 IACET CEU*; 1 PDH

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Will business be up or down in 2025?

Do you anticipate business in 2025 to be up or down in comparison to 2024?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Water Came To A Stop

The Water Came To A Stop

See More Products

Download the FREE Water Conservation, Quality & Safety eBook: Plumbing Trends Increasing Safe Water Availability

×

Keep your content unclogged with our newsletters!

Stay in the know on the latest plumbing & piping industry trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Supply House Times
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook instagram twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • CONTRACTORS
    • BATH & KITCHEN PRO
    • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
    • HIGH EFFICIENCY HOMES
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • WATER TREATMENT
    • PMC COLUMNS
      • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
      • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
      • Kenny Chapman: The Blue Collar Coach
      • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
      • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
    • CONTINUING EDUCATION
    • DECARBONIZATION | ELECTRIFICATION
    • FIRE PROTECTION
    • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
    • PIPING | PLUMBING | PVF
    • PME COLUMNS
      • Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights
      • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
      • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
      • John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design
      • Lowell Manalo: Plumbing Essentials
      • Misty Guard: Guard on Compliance
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
    • RADIANT COMFORT REPORT
    • THE GLITCH & THE FIX
  • INSIGHTS
    • CODES
    • GREEN PLUMBING & MECHANICAL
    • PROJECT PROFILES
    • COLUMNS
      • Codes Corner
      • Natalie Forster: Editorial Opinion
      • Guest Editorial
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • MEDIA
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • INDUSTRY CALENDAR
    • DIRECTORIES
    • EBOOKS
    • PM BOOKSTORE
    • CE CENTER
    • MARKET RESEARCH
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
    • PME EMAGAZINE ARCHIVES
  • SIGN UP!