Marine Corps Veteran Finds New Opportunities to Serve in the Trades

Providing service to others can be much more than simply a way to make a living. For Josh Anderson, owner of Bea Day Plumbers in Iowa City, Iowa, service is a significant part of his overall character.

After serving eight years in the United States Marine Corps, Anderson pursued a new career path in the trades. He started by attending a plumbing pre-apprenticeship program offered through the Greater Iowa City Area HBA and also sought out some on-the-job training by working for Bea Day Plumbers — becoming its first male employee in the company’s 32-year history.

With a knack for building, project management and customer service, he quickly established himself as a trusted leader. Just six years after Anderson had started with Bea Day Plumbers, the company’s founder decided to retire and pass the torch of ownership onto him.

Under his leadership, the company continued to grow with a steady stream of new projects and referrals. However, Anderson never lost his sense of service to his community.

As a longtime supporter of the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity (IVHFH), Anderson has volunteered on countless construction projects over the years, as well as provided numerous discounts and donations of supplies, materials and labor. He was even invited to lead IVHFH’s Women’s Confidence Course in 2020, where he taught a class of novices how to replace a kitchen sink.

“He is obviously very dedicated to his volunteer work, and that speaks volumes about his character,” said Karyl Bohnsack, EO of the Greater Iowa City Area HBA. “Last year, the HBA received a request through the housing trust fund about a woman and her young granddaughter who needed some water issues fixed. Before the application was even approved, Josh and his company replaced the hot water heater to stop the leak and restore hot water to the home.”

Though he retired from active duty in the armed forces, Anderson continues to serve his country through Team Rubicon, a nonprofit organization of military veterans and first responders who volunteer for emergency response efforts. Anderson has often used his connections through Team Rubicon to recruit additional IVHFH volunteers.

“Josh is a perfect example of quiet leadership, diligence, skill and commitment to excellence,” Bohnsack said. “For his clients, he brings the professionalism and knowledge that earns trust, and a generosity and dedication to service that makes him truly exceptional. And for his industry peers, he truly values the relationships he’s built and is always looking to forge new partnerships with like-minded remodelers.”

Recognizing the skills and accomplishments of talented remodelers like Anderson is a primary focus of National Home Remodeling Month in May. Also to commemorate the month, NAHB Remodelers is hosting a series of free Shop Talks for members to engage with each other and learn more about business improvement strategies.

The next Shop Talk, New Technology Brings Changes to Home Improvements, will be held today from 4-5 p.m. ET. Registration is not required.