It feels like I just stood before you, giving thanks for trusting in me to serve as your president. And here I am, two years later, having passed the torch to my successors. (More on them in a moment.)
As I rotate into the position of immediate past president, David Gans will end his service on the Board of Directors. When David was elected as vice president, none of us realized that he would need to step in to help run board meetings and lead the opening session at conference. You see, back then, our friend
Dave Straub was unable to serve, so David Gans stepped up to the plate. And he did a remarkable job. Serving in that lead role as vice president and continuing to do so when elected president, David was an excellent leader of our Board. His wife Tracey was also there to help run the Conference Planning and Special Projects Committee. Both David and Tracey represented IAPMO at various events and did so with professionalism and grace. David and Tracey, we will miss you at board meetings, but we hope you will continue to participate in IAPMO meetings and events. You’re forever part of this family!
As I vacate the presidency, I leave you with two of my best friends and two people who are among the best in IAPMO: Incoming President Jeremy Stettler and Vice President Brian Hamner. I have all the faith in both of them and know they will lead with integrity, vision, and heart. Our organization is in great hands, and I look forward to watching them carry us into the next chapter with the same dedication and passion that has made IAPMO what it is today.
Looking back over the past couple years, I want to share a couple things that were memorable for me because of their importance to the industry.
Focus on the Trades: I had the honor of participating in the WorldSkills global competition in Lyon, France. This competition is like the Olympics for the trades. Seeing young apprentices competing, representing their country, was something I’ll never forget. And this competition puts a spotlight on the importance of the skilled trades not only to the individual, but also to our economy. After all, when the world shut down because of COVID, it was the skilled trades that kept things going. Learning a trade is something that stays with you forever. The skills we learned are not only a great career, but can be used for good.
And this leads me to IWSH. While in Lyon for the WorldSkills competition, I saw the community project the plumbing champions completed at the local training center. And this wasn’t the first time. At ISH in 2023, I saw plumbing apprentices working together to install plumbing at a community sports center in Frankfurt. This is the perfect example of using our skills for good.
IWSH Companion Project: Last year I talked about the volunteer projects the Conference Planning and Special Projects Committee completed on behalf of IWSH. In Tennessee, my wife first spoke about the idea of a hygiene bucket challenge. Thank you to the Special Projects Committee along with staff that were able to make an idea a reality.
Over the past couple years, this committee has volunteered to assemble and deliver hygiene packets to: a homeless shelter in Florida that provides emergency and transitional services to families in the area; a shelter and community center in Boston; a homeless shelter in Puerto Rico that provides services to those in need in 35 counties around the island; and a shelter in Quebec City, Canada, that assists those seeking to restore their independence.
The companions were looking for a way to support the good work of IWSH by helping those in need in areas where IAPMO meetings are held. Committee members, thank you again!
IWSH volunteers, I speak on behalf of the entire board when I say thank you for all you’ve done to help bring plumbing to people’s homes, schools and community centers. You represent the best of us!
Growth: For the past two to three decades, IAPMO has steadily grown. And as you’ll read in Dave Viola’s column in this same issue of Official, IAPMO continues to grow, adding new research expertise, remodeling our existing offices to better handle the additional business opportunities, and new testing capabilities. Incredible!
In closing, I’d like to share my appreciation with some people. Being president has shown me what it takes to run this incredible organization.
Thank you, Board of Directors. We’ve handled some tough things this past year and always come to a solution that is in the best interest of IAPMO. I’m proud to serve with you all.
Thank you, members. Your support, your local chapters, your partnership in code battles and legislation are what helps drive all we do.
Thank you to all our committees. Your work directly contributes to our education, publications and, in some cases, helping a local community.
Thank you, industry partners. We understand the importance of working closely with our industry partners, and it’s our goal to continue to do so. Thank you to those partners who introduce IAPMO to the next generation by funding their annual membership dues.
Thank you to staff. Our staff really is second to none, so thank you for all you do.
And saving the best for last, to my wife, Lorena, you’re my rock, you’re somebody I depend on, you stand beside me no matter what and support me in all that I do. I love you to death, you are my best friend, and I couldn’t have done any of this without you.
Steven Panelli
IAPMO President Steven Panelli is chief plumbing inspector for the city and county of San Francisco. As chief plumbing inspector of a large metropolitan city, Panelli has been directly involved in the conception and framework for water conservation, storm water management, and other environmental legislation and city polices.
Born and raised in San Francisco, Panelli attended Sacred Heart High School and graduated in 1989. Two days after graduation, he was given the opportunity to work for a family friend at Heiro Plumbing. He then applied to Local 38 and completed the apprenticeship program. Shortly after becoming a journeyman, he again had the privilege to work for one of the most respected companies in San Francisco, Servadei Plumbing.
Panelli was hired in 2000 as a plumbing inspector for the city and county of San Francisco and was subsequently promoted to senior inspector in 2005 and chief plumbing inspector in 2009.
“Without the support and professionalism of my inspectors and seniors, I would not be able to be the chief I am today,” he says. “They have always had my back no matter what and I appreciate all the hard work they perform every day.”
Panelli is an apprentice instructor for the JATC of Local 38.
A contributing member of IAPMO for many years, Panelli is always willing to volunteer his time to his IAPMO chapter and has been an alternate for the plumbing and mechanical technical committees. Panelli has represented San Francisco Local 38 and the Western Pipe Trades at IAPMO’s annual conferences, as well.
“I feel very fortunate to be a part of this organization and look forward to supporting my fellow Board of Directors members, IAPMO staff, and, of course, our association members in my new role as president,” Panelli says.
Besides his dedication to the plumbing industry, Panelli enjoys playing golf, bowling, pool, bocce and sometimes a friendly game of snooker. He would never have made it to where he is without the love, support and patience of his loving wife of 29 years, Lorena. His children, Steven and Daniela, have always been two of the most important people in his life, as well. Daniela graduated from San Jose State and is pursuing a career in communications. Steven met the love of his life, Megan, and they were married this past year. Panelli is overjoyed to have a new addition to the family.
Last modified: November 3, 2025