Bill Howe Wins Coveted 2012 Business Leader of the Year Award

The San Diego North Chamber of Commerce recognizes local business owner for his contributions to the community of San Diego, plumbers in training at local youth organizations, and his employees

July 6, 2012 San Diego, Calif. – Bill Howe, owner and CEO of the Bill Howe Family of Companies, employing the best San Diego plumbers, heating and air technicians and restoration experts, was presented with the coveted 2012 Business Leader of the Year Award by the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce. Recognized for his outstanding dedication to corporate social responsibility and the impact he’s made on the San Diego North community, Bill Howe accepted the award during the Celebration of Business Ceremony at the Rancho Bernardo Inn on June 29, 2012.

Building vibrant communities through commerce, the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce recognizes excellence in business with their annual Business Achievement Awards. The awards recognize individuals in businesses that not only achieve personal success, but go above and beyond their industry standards to improve the community. Award categories include Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Non-Profit Organization of the Year, Community Leadership Award, Woman in Business, Entrepreneur of the Year, and Business Leader of the Year. The Business Leader of the Year Award was judged on the following criteria: (1) Ethical leader in their field; (2) Develop and/or effectively manage programs in social responsibility; (3) Significant presence within San Diego County and have had an impact on the region’s health and well being; (4) Have faced a recent challenge and overcome it with integrity.

Bill Howe was named the Business Leader of the Year for the ethical and professional commitment he’s made to the service and repair industry and to the San Diego community. For the past twenty years he has served in active roles for the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) in San Diego, including President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Board Member, and currently as Secretary. Since Bill Howe Plumbing, Inc’s inception in 1980, Bill has been an inspiration to his employees and other San Diego plumbers. Bill also has a personal and professional commitment to bettering the industry and his employees through education. This is proven in the fact that he sponsors the full tuition for his employees to enroll in the PHCC Educational Foundation.  Bill and Tina Howe sponsor two young adult plumbing training programs: San Diego Job Corps and the Andrew Chapman Mentorship Program.  Bill Howe is also a proud supporter of the American Heart Association (AHA) through both financial support and facilitating an annual children’s drawing contest to help the AHA in promoting healthy lifestyles among families in San Diego.  In its second year, the 2012 contest garnered almost 400 drawing entries from children throughout San Diego County.

“We have worked hard to be San Diego’s preferred plumber and my wife, Tina Howe, and I are more than happy to give back to the San Diego community,” said Bill Howe, CEO of Bill Howe Plumbing, Inc. “I plan to continue improving the trade industry by aligning myself with ethical organizations such as the PHCC, helping young adults who aspire to be ethical and quality San Diego plumbers, and continuing to encourage other companies and my employees to be positive and active participants in our community.”

Bill Howe and Bill Howe Plumbing, Inc. have been the recipient of several other prestigious awards from the community and the plumbing industry. Recent awards include: the 2011 PHCC and Delta Faucet National Contractor of the Year Award, the San Diego Business Journal’s 2011 Most Admired CEO Award, two time winner of the San Diego Rotary Club 33’s Heilbron Award for his “pay-it-forward” spirit, and 1^st runner-up finalist for the Better Business Bureau 2011 Torch Award.