(From left) Tim Volpone, Ziegler Heating, shares a moment with another attendee at the ACCO/PHCC Ohio state convention.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - "Partnering": The word, though usually genuine in intent, often has really meant for some contractors that they should wait for the other shoe to drop when anyone came calling with that promise.

Members of the state chapters of the Air Conditioning Contractors of Ohio (ACCO) and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Ohio (PHCC Ohio) discovered in 2001 that they could walk a mile in each other's shoes.

Ohio is the first and only state to have the HVAC association partner on mutual concerns with a predominant plumbing association. The groups found value in combining their efforts for the many similar interests and issues that affect both associations.

The ACCO and PHCC-Ohio chapters made the move to partner by combining their annual conventions in 2001, an action that has proven successful for attendees and exhibitors of products and services used by the industry.

Other areas where the groups found common ground include legislation in the form of the Specialty Contractors Coalition, where legislative agents are employed to monitor legislation for the plumbing and HVACR trades; a Workers' Compensation Group Savings Program; and continuing education credits offered to association members at member rates whether members of ACCO or PHCC.

The combined 2005 convention was attended by 250 members, spouses, and guests. Special guests included Greg Leisgang, ACCA national chairman; Tom Moore, PHCC national secretary; and Ike Casey, PHCC executive vice president.

During the meeting, PHCC-Ohio installed its first woman president, Liana Driscoll, The Neff Co., Canfield. PHCC-Ohio also presented the following awards:

  • Doug McIntire, McIntire Plumbing, Contractor of the Year.

  • Luke Grabill, Grabill Plumbing & Heating, Beach City, Contractor Service Award.

  • Federated Insurance, Supplier of the Year.

  • Promarc Sales, Manufacturer Rep of the Year.

    ACCA-Ohio installed George Brockman Jr., Wm. Brockman & Sons, Dayton, as its 2005 president. ACCA-Ohio honored Tim Volpone, Ziegler Heating, Ashtabula, as its Contractor of the Year.

    History Of ACCO And PHCC

    The ACCO chapter has been active since 1977 and currently has 289 member companies. The size of companies ranges from five to 200 employees serving residential, industrial, and commercial markets.

    There are local chapters in Cleveland, Akron-Canton, Central Ohio, Dayton and Cincinnati, and a new one in northeastern Ohio. The group also has members-at-large throughout Ohio where there are no local ACCA chapters.

    The Ohio Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, formed in 1890, is the Ohio affiliate of the National Association of PHCC, formed in 1883. PHCC-Ohio is one of the oldest organizations in Ohio.

    There are local chapters in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland (northeast Ohio PHCC), eastern Ohio (Youngstown area), Columbus, Dayton, and Stark County.

    For more information about ACCA-Ohio or PHCC chapter partnership, visit www.accohio.org and www.phccohio.org.

    Publication date: 05/09/2005