Bring Back the Trades and Milwaukee Tool award first tool grant
Bring Back the Trades, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to bridging the skilled trades gap, announced the Manchester School of Technology in Manchester, New Hampshire, as the first recipient of the Bring Back the Trades tool grant program. The award, made possible through the support of Milwaukee Tool, delivers a professional-grade electrical tool kit valued at $1,500 to MST’s vocational program, giving students hands-on access to the same tools used on modern job sites. The grant program launched in April 2026, and awards monthly grants valued at $1,500 in toolkits to eligible public schools and registered nonprofits across the United States. Milwaukee Tool invests more than $10 million annually in hands-on education to support the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
This first award was granted in person at the Manchester School of Technology, where Shana Brunye, COO of Bring Back the Trades, and Jeff Conway, vice chair of the BBTT board of directors, surprised students in the winning class. Vasiliki Partinoudi, assistant principal and CTE director at MST, and instructor Phillippe LeClaire — who submitted the winning application — were also on hand for the surprise reveal.
Watts appoints Rich Gardner as senior product manager
Watts has appointed Rich Gardner as senior product manager for shutoff valves, connections and plumbing specialties for the Americas. He will focus on developing and executing strategies to support business growth, including expanding into new markets, driving new product vitality and supporting the development of marketing programs and campaigns. He holds a bachelor's degree from Southern New Hampshire University and an MBA from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
CUES named approved supplier through Canoe Procurement Canada
CUES announced it is now an approved supplier through Canoe Procurement Canada, one of the country’s largest cooperative purchasing organizations. The partnership makes it easier for municipalities, utilities, government agencies and other public-sector organizations across Canada to access CUES inspection, assessment and infrastructure solutions through a streamlined and compliant procurement process. By leveraging Canoe Procurement Canada’s cooperative purchasing program, members can benefit from simplified procurement procedures, competitive, prenegotiated pricing and a reduced administrative burden. It also provides faster access to trusted infrastructure technologies and services.
PHCC’s CEO Cindy Sheridan retires, Dan Quinonez selected next CEO
The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association announced that CEO Cindy Sheridan will retire at the end of 2026. During a May PHCC board of directors meeting, the board unanimously selected PHCC COO and PHCC Educational Foundation Executive Director Dan Quinonez as her successor. Quinonez will assume the CEO position on Nov. 1, with Sheridan serving in an advisory role during the transition.
REHAU names Simon Koenig as EVP
Simon Koenig was appointed as executive vice president of REHAU Water Technologies, Americas region. In this role, Koenig will lead the strategic direction, commercial growth and operational performance of the REHAU Water Technologies subgroup across North and South America, with a focus on delivering customer value and driving expansion across key segments including plumbing, municipal infrastructure, hydronic radiant heating and cooling, snow and ice melting, geothermal, fire protection and preinsulated piping systems.
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