“I value the organization and I want to support it, to be a part of something bigger that is helping the industry that had supported my family for all these years,” Sullivan said, in a press release, about joining the Foundation’s board.

After graduating from Boston College with a degree in accounting, began his career with a stint in the U.S. Army and later in the Army Reserve. He then began working in finance at a national public accounting firm.

In 1968, Sullivan went to work at the family business — now J.J. Sullivan Plumbing & Heating. When his father passed away two years later, he found himself in charge of the family business at age 28.

To help get the knowledge he needed to be successful, Joe joined a local plumbing association — PHCC. In time, he took on leadership roles, including becoming president of the state association in Massachusetts.

In 2001, Joe was asked about serving on the PHCC Educational Foundation’s scholarship committee. For the next 22 years, Joe spent his summers reviewing the application materials of thousands of apprentices and students looking to earn a scholarship.

“Joe is one of the Foundation’s great volunteers,” said foundation chairman Kevin Tindall. “His work on the scholarship committee for more than 20 years is a reason the Foundation has been able to help so many apprentices with their training expenses. We are happy to welcome him to our Foundation family.”