Shapiro Recognized Posthumously for Lasting Commitment to Contractor Education

PHCC Educational Foundation names Sheldon Shapiro to its Board of Governors, honoring a legacy of workforce development and industry giving.

Nov. 14, 2025

2 min read

Key Highlights

Posthumous recognition honors a mechanical contractor whose giving continues to support workforce development
Shapiro’s estate planning ensures ongoing investment in HVAC and plumbing apprenticeship programs
PHCC CONNECT 2025 ceremony celebrated his legacy of training, mentorship, and industry leadership

PHCC

The PHCC Educational Foundation has named Sheldon Shapiro to its Board of Governors, recognizing his significant lifetime and estate contributions to workforce development and contractor education. The Board of Governors includes leading contractors, manufacturers, and industry partners whose major gifts help expand the Foundation’s training programs for the plumbing and HVAC workforce.

Shapiro and his brother Jerry built Shapiro and Duncan, a Rockville, Md.–based mechanical contracting firm, into a 400-employee operation. Throughout his career, Shapiro was a vocal supporter of HVAC and plumbing apprenticeship programs, funding local engineering scholarships and volunteering on multiple industry boards. He was also a consistent and generous donor to the PHCC Educational Foundation.

Enduring Support for Apprenticeship and Training

Shapiro passed away in February 2019 at the age of 53, but his commitment to contractor education continued through thoughtful estate planning. His private foundation was structured to sustain his charitable giving long after his passing, ultimately pushing his lifetime and estate contributions beyond the threshold required for inclusion on the Foundation’s Board of Governors.

Recognition at PHCC CONNECT 2025

On October 29, during the Foundation Donor Reception at PHCC CONNECT 2025 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Foundation recognized Shapiro in memoriam as the newest member of its Board of Governors. The honor reflects both his longtime support and his ongoing impact on education programs that strengthen the contracting workforce.

Industry educator and friend Kirk Alter reflected on Shapiro’s influence, noting that he was always “generous with his time, resources and spirit.” By naming him to the Board of Governors, Alter said, “we are doing more than recognizing his success, we are honoring his spirit. This is our way of saying that Sheldon still belongs here—among friends, among peers, and among the leaders who build this industry and care deeply for its future.”

To learn more about the PHCC Educational Foundation, visit visit phccfoundation.org.

Note: this press release was rewritten with help from generative AI.