David Smith grew up knowing he was going to join the family plumbing business — even though he admits he wasn’t a good plumber. Now 59 years old, Smith is representing the third family generation to oversee the St. Paul, Minnesota-based Minneapolis Saint Paul Plumbing, Heating & Air (MSP), which his grandfather started in 1918.
“I joined the company in 1978,” Smith said. “My father and uncle insisted I learn the actual plumbing side of the business. I worked out in the field as an apprentice, then a journeyman — I went to school for four years for the license to become a journeyman, and then I got my masters license, which allowed me to become an owner.”