Jennifer Ma
Next Gen All Star: Lualhati Anglo
Age: 32
Company: City and County of Denver Sheriff’s Department
Title: Building Engineer Lead
How long have you been in the PHCP-PVF industry?
LA: 15 years
What drew you into the industry?
LA: My Mother and Father own a plumbing company, LPA Plumbing. I started my career with them at a young age.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in the industry?
LA: The most rewarding aspect of my career is finishing a large project that I started from scratch. Being able to see my ideas and planning take shape and function in a space that was previously nothing is rewarding.
What motivates you every day?
LA: My daughter — she is 4 and she motivates me every single day.
What is one thing you wish more people knew/understood about the PHCP-PVF industry?
LA: I wish more people understood the places and careers that this industry has to offer. I believe if more of the youth of our nation were exposed to this industry and all that it has to offer, then we would be able to help our industry grow today and in the future.
What has been your proudest moment in your career so far?
LA: The proudest moment of my career so far was walking through my parents’ office doors after passing my Plumbing License exam, and hugging and thanking them both.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
LA: One thing that people do not know about me is that if I am not at work, I can be found losing to my wife at Mario Kart or spending as much time with my daughter as possible.
Why he was chosen as a Next Gen All Star Top 20 Under 40 winner:
“Lualhati (Louie) has grown up in the plumbing industry. My husband is a master plumber and has been plumbing since 1979. He and I started our company (LPA Plumbing) in 1994 when Louie was 2 1/2 years old. He rode along with me delivering lunches and parts to jobsites in our early years. He spent a lot of his childhood with plumbers and around plumbing. As a pre-teen, he worked summers in the office and warehouse. As a teenager, he joined the crew on summer break and holidays cutting pipe, digging running for parts and eventually moved into installing plumbing. He went, begrudgingly, to college for a year and a half, then declared college wasn't where he wanted to be. He wanted to be a plumber like his dad, three of his uncles and his brother-in-law. Like so many parents, his father disagreed with him quitting college. Louie and I were eventually able to get him to concede letting him join the crew full time. Not all kids are made for college. Within a few years, Louie had his Journeyman's license. A couple of years ago while on a snowy job site, he stepped into a shallow covered trench and seriously messed up his ankle. He had to have surgery, and after about a year of light-duty work and physical therapy, he was told it would be better if he had a job where the ground was level. Unfortunately, this isn't found on a new construction home building site.
“This would break many people, but Louie has always liked being challenged. He is a ‘figure it out’ kind of guy. I believe this accident propelled Louie to the next stage of his career. This accident allowed Louie to step outside of LPA Plumbing and become the trade person he is today. Louie proceeded to use his skills and license to acquire a great job with the City of Denver working as a Lead Plumbing Engineer in one of the Denver Jails. Louie loves what he is doing. He has stepped up to the challenge and is learning even more facets of the plumbing and mechanical industry. It always amazes me the diversity of jobs within this industry. To say the least, we are very proud of Louie.” — Stephanie Anglo
Background image courtesy of Rebus_Productions / Creatas Video+ / Getty Images Plus.
