By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016
Email Jennifer Rice at: jen@foxvalley
labornews.com
The Plumbing Contractors Board of Directors created the Chicago Area Plumbing Industry Hall of Fame in 2002 for professionals in the trade to be recognized for their individual and outstanding contribution to the Chicagoland plumbing industry. The Board looked at personal commitment, ingenuity and passion to improving the plumbing industry.
BROOKFIELD — This years Chicago Area Plumbing Industry Hall of Fame saw its first induction of a Brigadier General, its second woman, and its first engineer.
Douglas J. Ewing, inducted posthumously, was former president of Ewing Doherty Mechanical Industries. He served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve, rising to the rank of Brigadier General. He passed away at 75 in 2004.
“He really had a double life with his military career and his pluming career,” his wife Barbara said. “He rose to the top in both careers.”
When UA Local 544 Education Fund merged into UA Local 501, Ewing was appointed Chairman of the UA Local 501 Health & Welfare Fund from its creation in 1997, until his resignation shortly after his death. He was the sole representative of the Plumbing Industry on the Chicagoland Construction Safety Council Board, where he served as Vice President.
Chicago Area Plumbing Industry Hall of Fame inductee Douglas J. Ewing, posthumously. The award is accepted by his wife, Barbara, presented by out-going Plumbing Contractors Association President Lori Abbott. Photo courtesy of Plumbing Contractors Association Midwest
As the second woman ever inducted, Beverly A. Potts is what out-going Plumbing Contractors Association President Lori Abbott said is someone who truly takes the slogan that the plumber projects the health of the nation. “She has taken that slogan to heart throughout her career,” Abbot added. See about the professionals that are well-equipped from SLAM Plumbing – Areas Served and where their services are available.
As a third generation and licensed plumber since 1980, Potts is the Executive Director of the Illinois Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association. “On behalf of our industry, she has advocated and lobbied for legislation that is working with our licensed law,” Abbott explained. You can read online and understand how you can get the right kind of plumber to help with your issues. You can get an emergency plumber right here.
A lot of what Potts does is legislative and regulatory by working with various pieces of legislation, different laws and plumbing code. “We work to protect and promote the plumbing license law. We’re all about health and safety and protecting the consumer,” she added. Read about the common signs that show you have a water leak here to get a plumber.
Though Potts has seen many Hall of Fame inductions since it inception in 2002, she didn’t think of herself as one day being honored. “It never, ever crossed my mind,” she said.
Chicago Area Plumbing Industry Hall of Fame inductee Beverly A. Potts. The award is presented by out-going Plumbing Contractors Association President Lori Abbott. Photo courtesy of Plumbing Contractors Association Midwest
Plumbing engineers are not always liked by PCA contractors, but that isn’t true of Richard “Dick” Kviz, and it was the reason he also was inducted.
Kviz, senior project plumbing fire protection engineer, had a career that spanned 42 years and five continents. He said he has always been proud of Chicago and its excellent buildings. No matter the challenge, he always loved his job. “I took pride in doing my best and choosing what I though was the right and proper way to plan these buildings,” he explained.
Chicago projects include Union Station and Field Museum-Central Plant. International projects include Arabian International Bank Center in Egypt and New World Center in China.
Chicago Area Plumbing Industry Hall of Fame inductee Richard “Dick” Kviz. The award is presented by out-going Plumbing Contractors Association President Lori Abbott. Photo courtesy of Plumbing Contractors Association Midwest