Jim Finley -- PHCC incoming president

This month’s “Name You Should Know” is incoming Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) president Jim Finley. Jim’s dedication to the plumbing industry is unsurpassed. Phc News believes he is a person worth getting to know.

 

 

 

James C. Finley, Sr., P. E. professional bio –

• Jim Finley is a Master Plumber and owner of a second generation plumbing company, C. N. Finley Inc., in New Orleans. He is the incoming president of the 4,100 member Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors – National Association.
• In addition, Jim is the chairman of the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana and a registered professional engineer. When he is not working, Jim is a pilot flying his plane for pleasure and in service to the United States Coast Guard.
• Jim is active in a number of industry organizations, including the Louisiana Engineering Society, Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, Dept. of Health & Hospitals and the American Society of Sanitary Engineering, where he serves as co-chairman of the Seal Committee. Presently, Jim is the PHCC representative on the International Code Council committee for the International Residential Code.
• In October, Jim will become the 125th president of PHCC, following his father who served as the national president in 1960.

Personal bio -- Married to Lynne Finley. Jim has five children and five grandchildren.

How did you first get involved in the industry?

I was born into the industry, working in the company that my dad started in 1934, until I went off to college and became an officer in the United States Air Force.

If you weren’t doing this, what is it you think you would be doing?

I would have continued my career in the Air Force.

What would you consider your major achievements?

Influencing strong licensing requirements for Journeymen and Master Plumbers in the State of La. and contributing to the content of the La. State Plumbing Code.

What are some major issues facing contractors today? How can they be rectified?

Lack of people entering the trades. We as an industry have to be more proactive in marketing the skilled trades as a career path and encouraging resources for education at the high school level. Increasing cost of medical and liability insurance. Continue legislative efforts to gain approval of nationwide Small Business Health Plans as some larger industries and associations have and tort reform.

The goal of the PHCC is to…?

“The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association is dedicated to the promotion, advancement, education and training of the industry for the protection of our environment and the health, safety and comfort of society.”

The statement is self-explanatory.

What is the significance of education in the industry and how does PHCC work with contractors?

As the mission statement indicates, education is a very high priority in the industry, and it is accomplished through PHCC’s Educational Foundation. The Foundation provides numerous educational seminars of interest to our members and non-members alike throughout the year at various locations, as well as at our annual meeting. The Foundation annually awards scholarships to students at the college level who are pursuing careers related to the industry. In addition, the Foundation provides educational literature and an approved four-year plumbing apprenticeship training curriculum and a soon-to-be-published air conditioning curriculum.

What are your personal initiatives for the industry?

It is important to maintain the continuity of, and improve upon, the programs currently in place that are working for our membership. I will work for the funding of education for the trades and the passage of Small Business Heath Plan national legislation.

The PHCC initiative of National Plumbing Week in April, 2008, will bring recognition to the industry and educate the public on the contribution that the professional plumbing-heating-cooling contractor makes to the health, safety and comfort of society.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Lynne and I enjoy flying our aircraft and, until Hurricane Katrina, boating.

9. The future of the p-h-c industry looks like…

The future of the industry is very bright and there will always be a need for the plumbing-heating-cooling contractor. The demand for the services of the industry will increase exponentially in the future, as indicated by the Department of Labor forecast.