66/Plumbing Engineer February 2020

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n December, Paula Bowe was recognized as PHCPPros' Featured Woman. Continuing that conversation, Plumbing Engineer is taking the time to delve more into Bowe's career and experiences. In 1987, Josam Co. was transitioned to the ownership and management of the Holloway family. Bowe was right there when the manufacturer of quality plumbing and drain- age products made the change. As vice president of sales and marketing, Bowe along with her peers in the management team and employees have earned an upstanding reputation and many long-standing relationships. In the following interview, PHCPPros sheds light on some of Bowe's journey in the plumbing, heating, cooling and piping (PHCP) industry. PHCPPros: How did you get into the PHCP industry? PB: I didn't necessarily say this is what I wanted to do one day. My mom had worked for the Holloway family and they gave me an opportunity to work at Josam. When the Holloway family bought Josam, they asked my mom to come over from the supply house side. At that time, she was getting ready to retire and the Holloway family gave me the opportunity to move over from the Holloway-owned PVF house to Josam. I did, and I started out in customer service, and collections. What better way to break a young kid in than by putting them in collections? Eventually, I got into the sales side of the business. PHCPPros: How would you describe Josam and your role there? PB: Our company is a manufacturer of commercial plumbing drainage products. It's a small, family-owned business. My role at the company is to oversee the entire sales team, including representatives and regional sales managers to ensure that the company reaches its overall goals and forecasts and develop strategies for us to hit those goals and forecasts. I also oversee all the marketing for the company. PHCPPros: What do you consider your professional specializations? PB: Having started at the bottom and leveling up with this company, and as I entered into a management position, I apply simple life lessons and experiences to my manage- ment style. Whenever I make a business decision, I always try and put myself in the shoes of the person the decision effects. However, in doing that I also have to have the com- pany's best interest at hand and be cognizant of the impact that decision has on the company. PHCPPros: What are your career highlights? PB: I would have to say being a part of this company when the Holloways bought out of bankruptcy and seeing where it is today. It's a joy and I take great pride in saying that I was allowed to be a part of that success and fortunate enough to expand and build a team to further the success of the company. PHCPPros: What professional organizations, events, etc. are you aligned with? PB: I am a member of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), and American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE). PHCPPros: Do you volunteer? PB: Yes. Whenever time permits, I do volunteer work with my daughter through her school. One of the impressive features that led us to her current school was their commit- ment to help the less fortunate. PHCPPros: Do you have a woman you consider a men- tor? PB: On the work side, I can't say that necessarily. But my mom is certainly my mentor. I was raised by both a hard- working mother and father who instilled in me great work ethics and morals. Both of these traits are also instilled by the Holloway family. PHCPPros: Do you mentor other women in the PHCP industry? PB: Any opportunity that I find a young woman in this industry, which is unfortunately not often, I love to get her aside and talk to her. I look at being a woman in this indus- try as an advantage, not a disadvantage. Once a customer in front of you knows that you are knowledgeable and com-

By Ashlei Williams

Meet Paula Bowe

Q&A with Paula Bowe, vice president of sales and marketing at Josam Co.