Jeremy Stettler
VICE PRESIDENT, THE IAPMO GROUP
Jeremy Stettler wears many hats in his job at Davis School District, just north of Salt Lake City, Utah. As project coordinator, he and his staff of 35 are responsible for various projects. Davis School District totals more than 11 million square feet of building space and continues to grow. He also serves as plumbing and mechanical inspector for ongoing construction projects within the district, including two 200,000-square-foot middle schools and two 100,000-square-foot elementary school buildings. Stettler performs plan reviews on the mechanical systems. The district works hard to keep its environmental impact to a minimum, whether it’s net zero or Energy Star buildings.
A licensed master plumber, Stettler traces back his career in the trades to a fateful service call.
“When I was 15, my mother’s sewer got plugged,” he says. “Not having much money, we called several plumbers from the phone book until we found one she could afford. Little did I know it would be the start of my career.”
The owner, Clark Browne, came to their home and Stettler took a keen interest in everything he was doing. Browne took time to explain things as he worked.
“I had no idea he was interviewing me, but at the end of the job he asked if I wanted a job being his helper,” Stettler says. “I jumped at the opportunity and worked after school every day for him for two years.”
Browne introduced Stettler to the local high school plumbing instructor, who helped him enroll in the apprenticeship program at Ogden Weber Applied Technical College at the age of 16. One of his instructors, Linc Talbot, worked for Davis School District and helped his “teacher’s pet” get a job as an apprentice plumber. He started the day after graduation and 30 years later is still employed with the district.
Stettler has since received his journeyman’s, master plumber’s and inspector licenses.
“Plumbing has given me so many opportunities I could never have dreamed of when I got started as a plumber’s helper,” he says. “I continue to be passionate about my craft through IAPMO.”
John Nielsen
NORTHERN DISTRICT DIRECTOR
John Nielsen serves as an executive officer/program manager for the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). As an executive officer, Nielsen acts as the primary point of contact for his assigned boards, conducts research as requested by the board and administrator, helps troubleshoot issues, and recommends changes to rules and statutes for his assigned boards. Along with his executive officer duty, Nielsen also serves as program manager for plumbing and HVAC day-to- day operations and inspections.
A dedicated employee, Nielsen is service-minded and always looking for ways to streamline processes and meet the needs of the division’s customers. He enjoys being a resource to others in the division, as well as to the industry, residents, and contractors of Idaho.
After graduating high school from Gem State Academy in Caldwell, Idaho, Nielsen joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served as a structural mechanic/aerial observer-gunner on helicopters during the Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Somalia campaigns.
Returning to civilian life, he enrolled in the plumbing program at Boise State University and began his apprenticeship with Debest Plumbing in Boise. For 10 years, he rose from apprentice to journeyman to foreman, eventually supervising major construction jobs at hospitals, fitness centers, and cinemas around the Boise area.
In 2004, he was hired by the state of Idaho Division of Building Safety as a plumbing and HVAC inspector, ensuring code compliance, enforcing licensing and permits and making presentations before the Idaho Plumbing Board.
Nielsen is IAPMO certified as a plumbing inspector and plumbing plans examiner, and ICC certified as a mechanical inspector, mechanical plans examiner, energy commercial/residential inspector and plans examiner.
In his free time, Nielsen enjoys golfing, fishing for kokanee and hunting with his friends and family. He lives in Nampa, Idaho, with his lovely wife of 25 years, Judy, and has two beautiful, twin daughters, Skylar and Jayde.
“I want to thank all the members of IAPMO, IAPMO staff and fellow board members for giving me this opportunity to serve this great organization and help lead in future endeavors,” he says. “Without the friendships and support the staff and members have given me, I wouldn’t be where I am. Serving on the Board of Directors is an honor and a privilege I don’t take lightly and I’m proud to represent both IAPMO and the great state of Idaho.”
Last modified: December 21, 2023