Meet Mike Seidel, 2024 Plumbing National Championship Finalist with over 30 Years of Experience
Meet Mike Seidel, one of the five finalists for the 2024 Plumbing National Championship, which SharkBite is proud to sponsor. The 45-year-old plumber with Charles D. Riley Inc. was a top scorer in the Round 1 digital qualifying quiz and went on to excel in the Round 2 at-home challenge, securing his spot at the final competition in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he’ll compete for the title of best plumber in America.
Ahead of the finals, we caught up with him to hear how he got started in the trade and what has helped him have a successful plumbing career.
1. Tell us how you first got involved in the trade and how long you’ve been plumbing.
Learning the Trade
My first experience in plumbing was probably tinkering around my mom’s and grandparents’ houses. Then in high school, I went to the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center and had an excellent experience. My first few years were plumbing only, but my final year was a plumbing program combined with HVAC. They have since removed the plumbing portion altogether.
The class was taught by some of the best in the area, Mr. Hess, Mr. Whitfield, and Mr. Chilcote. The program was set up with classroom instruction and a lot of hands-on experiences with different platforms to plumb. Everything from underground rough-in to setting fixtures could be done in that classroom.
After several years of schooling at the high school level, I wasn't 100% sure that the plumbing program at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology was for me. After all, I wanted to be in their auto mechanics program. I was a young know-it-all — or so I thought — who didn't think I could get anything from the plumbing program.
Wow, was I wrong. After a conversation with my instructor Mr. Ott, he assured me I would not be wasting my time. He also made a comment about finishing what I started, and I've kept that in my head since.
I can't say enough about the Stevens program. From the hands-on experience in the real-world setting of building homes to maintenance work on campus, there wasn't much I wasn't prepared for after graduation other than experience. Starting from the very basics, to learning the code, to estimating and hydronic heat, that program will make you successful if you're willing to put in the work.
A Career in Plumbing
My current employer is Charles D. Riley Inc., also known as Riley Inc. It is now a fourth-generation company started in 1933.
I was born and raised in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and upon graduating from Stevens, I had a few interviews in the Altoona area. Not a lot of people were hiring at the time. I met Jim Riley Sr. at a meeting in my junior year of high school regarding the combining of the plumbing and HVAC programs and knew he was a stand-up person. A few people in town had reached out to Mr. Riley, who gave me an interview along with his son Jimmy. Jimmy hired me later that day.
I started as an apprentice plumber in the spring of 1999. By apprentice plumber I mean I dug ditches... lots of ditches. For a period of time, I thought all we did was replace in-slab sanitary piping in residential homes. I quickly graduated to running commercial work, installing and fixing heat systems.
I currently do estimating and project management, but occasionally I get to pick up a tool. I've been at Riley Inc. this long, as it is more of a family atmosphere over just being a number. I'm pretty sure the boss could name everyone's spouse as well as their kids’ names and sports they play.
In total, I have 31 years in the trade. Four at GACTC, two at Thaddeus Stevens College and 25 at my current employer.
2. What's your philosophy for achieving a successful career in plumbing?
Listen to anyone willing to teach. Try to learn as much as you can.
3. What's something you wish you knew about the trade that upcoming plumbers should know?
You will mess something up. You will break something along the way. Don’t let that be a deterrent in completing a task. Plumbing can be fixed or replaced.
4. How does it feel to be considered one of the best plumbers in the U.S.?
It is an honor to be in the conversation.
5. What’s the best part of your plumbing career?
The relationships made along the way. Whether it was an instructor, coworker, customer, contractor or salesman, I’ve met some great people along the way. It’s also nice to go into a place and see what you’ve helped create as a finished project.
6. What's your go-to artist(s) to listen to while on the job?
Metallica, Parkway Drive, Bad Omens and Nirvana are currently my go-tos.