I’ve hosted my share of industry events and panels over the years, and usually when I’m done with a particular session, audience members rush to the stage to meet the esteemed panelists, and rightfully so. I recall this one time that stood out—I believe it was a Plumbing-Heating-Cooling-Contractors (PHCC session)—a younger gentleman was waiting—for me no less—when I descended off the stage. “Great job with the emceeing, and it’s really nice to meet you, sir. My name is Mike.”
Turns out, Mike Prencavage Jr., owner of The Family Plumber, Los Alamitos, Calif., was the acting president of PHCC Orange County at the time, and he was networking the event. From what I gathered, this guy was making an effort to connect with everyone at the show. What I realize now these many years later is that Mike Prencavage Jr. cares a lot about people, his company, the industry, and how to move the needle forward.
The Family Plumber
The Family Plumber performs service and repair for residential properties in and throughout Orange County and South LA County. All in the Name
The Family Plumber performs service and repair for residential properties in and throughout Orange County and South LA County, and the team of 28 employees has experience repairing all systems, including pressurized water, sewer, gas, water heating and even sewer lining.
The Family Plumber is just that—rooted in family, so much so that the company slogan, “Just Like Having a Plumber in the Family,” rings true all around. Prencavage Jr. is a proud second-generation plumbing business owner, taking over the reins of the company from his father, Mike Sr.—eight years ago. While the company has been based in North Orange County, Calif. for more than 34 years, and Mike Jr. credits his father for being the face of the company for the past 25. In fact, Mike Jr.’s stepmother worked for the company, and while they are both retired, the company still uses her voice on special holiday recordings.
In addition, Mike’s brother Mitchell Prencavage joined the company two years ago and has been an instrumental partner in the company as well, managing many of the high-volume operational issues that come up throughout the day-to-day operations. “He understands teamwork and how to build on company culture, which will be our focus now and well into the future,” says Prencavage Jr.
The Family Plumber
Getting Active
Yet, Mike recalls those days some 16 years ago while in high school working summers helping his father trench water service lines, perform cleanouts and tight crawlspace work. “It goes without saying but working with family isn’t always the easiest, and for a brief period I was not least bit interested in taking over the family business,” says Prencavage Jr.
“In my early 20s, my father and I didn’t always see eye to eye on the future expansion of the company,
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