Meet Our Team: From Plumber to Plumbing Designer

After 34 years as a plumber, Jim now designs the plumbing systems he once installed, bringing real-world experience to every project.

Jim recently made the transition from plumbing to plumbing engineering, bringing decades of field experience into commercial design-build projects. It’s a career shift that felt like a natural next step, and one he wishes he had made sooner.

Starting in the Trades

Jim did not originally plan on a career in plumbing. After a year studying wildlife biology, he realized it wasn’t the right fit. He began helping at his uncle’s plumbing shop near Rhinelander, WI. One year as a laborer turned into an apprenticeship, and before long he had built a career in the trades.

Along the way, he found himself solving problems that were never on the plans.

“I’ve always liked designing because on the job you have to design a lot of things,” Jim said. “Residential, service work, remodels. You’re always designing the stuff for yourself.”

A Moment That Changed His Path

One project in particular stuck with him. While working on a multifamily building years ago, he realized the plumbing plans would not work as designed. Instead of forcing the installation, he called the engineer, walked through the issues, and suggested another approach. That experience reinforced something he had already suspected. He enjoyed thinking through design challenges just as much as installing the work.

Eventually, the physical demands of the trade helped make the decision to switch.

“My body started to give out. So, it was time to trade in the hammer and the pipe wrench for a computer.”

Bringing Field Experience to Design

Today, Jim is learning new tools like Revit while leaning on something no software can replace: firsthand experience. Before he starts drawing, he can already picture how a system will come together in the field. That perspective helps him catch details that make installation smoother.

Finding a Collaborative Team

One of the biggest surprises since making the transition has been the collaborative environment at Iconica. Design-build gives Jim the opportunity to work alongside teammates, share ideas, and improve solutions together instead of feeling locked into a single approach.

“The whole engineering and architectural team are all about designing the job properly and getting it done properly,” he said. “Nobody has a problem helping anybody else.”

Life Outside the Office

Outside of work, Jim enjoys fishing, hunting, and spending as much time with his family as possible. His wife joins him on fishing trips, while his son and grandson head into the woods with him during hunting season. After years of long days on job sites, those moments mean even more.

As he continues settling into his new role, Jim is excited to keep learning, keep growing, and help turn years of field knowledge into better designs for every project. Meet more of our team here.