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In our May Women In PHCP spotlight, we invite you to meet Cindy Sheridan, CAE,CEO ofPlumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association(PHCC)!
Editor's Note: This is a special extended interview from our2023 Women In PHCP print feature.
PHCPPros: What is your role in the PHCP industry?
Sheridan:AsCEO of PHCC, I work to ensure that our PHCC members arerecognized asthe best choice in their respectivegeographicareas for professionalism,reliable products, and knowledgeable service. Through my 22 years of involvement in PHCC – first as vice presidentof membership and chapter relations, more recentlyas COO of PHCC’s Educational Foundation, and now as PHCC’s CEO– I am uniquely positioned to help PHCC fulfill our strategic goals of public awareness, workforce development, valuable member resources, and organizational impact.
In addition,我敏锐地意识到,气液联控的人——从the staff at our national headquarters, to our volunteer leaders, to ourapproximately 3,500members – are incredibly passionate about our mission to advancethe p-h-c industryand educate its workers; they see it as their responsibility to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of society and protection of the environment. With that, I’m equally passionate about providing these loyal individuals with a safe, stable workplace environment based on transparency, trust, and respect so that – together – we can successfully continueourmission.
PHCPPros: Why did you enter a career in the industry?
Sheridan:I’ve always had a passion for association management. Prior to PHCC, I was in leadership positions for the Bank Marketing Association and the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives. When I transferred those skills to PHCC in 2000, I quickly realized the essential role that p-h-c professionals play in protecting the health and safety of society. It didn’t takelong他们的激情成为我的过去ion, and that’s why I’m socommitted22 years latertoworkforce development in this industry. To protect the future, we need to close the crucial skills gap in this profession and promote the valuethatp-h-c careers offer.
PHCPPros: What are some of your career highlights?
Sheridan:Thereare severalinitiatives that I am particularly proud to have worked on during my career at PHCC:
PHCPPros: What are your experiences with women mentors or mentees?
Sheridan:The nature of PHCC is that we’ve established an incredible community of professionals at all levels that mentor each other. We have women contractor members who own their own companies, women who are executive directors of PHCC state chapters, women who are the directors of some of our PHCC Corporate Partners … the list of women in high-level leadership roles goes on. Not only are they an inspiration toyoung peopleentering our industry, but they are an inspirationto me, and I learn from them every day.
I strive to be a mentor to both my peers in the association management profession as well asthestaff here at PHCC.
PHCPPros: How can the industry better recruit and retain women?
Sheridan:I think one of the best ways to attract womento the industry is toshowwomen in the industry. Women can be great role models. They need tobe visible and toshare their stories about the great lives they have because of this industry. PHCC hasseveral videos about women in the industrythat can help raise awareness of the career opportunities for women in the p-h-ctrades.
PHCPPros: What does it mean to receive this honor?
Sheridan:Iwas an outsider whenI joined PHCC in 2000.I soon fell in love with the industry from the chapter executives andcontractor membersI worked withtoPHCC’sfamily orientationandmission to protect health and safety.At that time,the industry wasconsiderablymore male dominated.After all these years,it is wonderful to seethe increasingnumbers of women leaders inall aspects of the industry. I am humbled to be part ofthis group of women who are making sucha huge differenceintheindustry I love.
PHCPPros: Is there anything from your personal life you'd like to highlight?
Sheridan:I am a lifelong learner, and myhusbandand I love to travel and take advantage of living in the D.C. area, exploring all the educational and cultural opportunities it has to offer.
I amalsofamily-oriented and enjoy spending time withmysister and her family, including two nieces whoare young professionals in New York City.I am proud to watch them grow in their careers.There are so many more opportunities now for women to break that glass ceilingin all different industries.I amproud that I am part of a generation that helped pave the way for this changed environment for young women.
Do you know someone you would like to nominate for our Women In PHCP newsletter series? Email PHCPPros Digital Strategy Manager Nicole Meyer atnicole@phcppros.com!