December 2024 Vol. 79 No. 12
Features
Joe Schotthoefer: NASSCO Standard Bearer
EDITOR’S NOTE: NASSCO continues to set standards for the assessment and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure. A vast array of individuals has contributed to the success of the association, both in the past and present, that has driven NASSCO’s industry mission. This series of articles recognizes those who have not only been critical to the success of NASSCO, but the industry as well.
This month, we profile Joe Schotthoefer, known for not only his flashy dress style at trade shows and association meetings, but even more so for his straightforward approach to problem solving. Schotthoefer has always displayed tenacious support for NASSCO’s industry endeavors, many of which he played a key role in the initiation of such efforts. His leadership roles within the association have had a profound positive impact upon its members.
(UI) — I grew up on the East side of Detroit, along with my two brothers, only 10 miles from where our shop, Doetsch Environmental Services, is now located. Our family settled in the area generations ago, forming the original Doetsch Brothers plumbing and heating business back in 1898.
You could compare Detroit 100 years ago to Silicon Valley today. Thanks to the automotive industry, there was abundant wealth and prosperity that was reinvested into the community and other businesses, such as ours.
Before the turn of the century there was a low percentage of indoor plumbing, so the company grew and evolved technology in tandem with the growing population and demand for service. The automotive industry exposed Doetsch to innovation, providing the opportunity to serve all sectors of the community including residential, business and industrial.
My maternal grandfather, Frank, was the third-generation Doetsch to run the business, followed by my mother, and now my brother, Sean, and me. Today we have grown, from a small plumbing and heating company, to an environmental services company, to a national provider of specialty cleaning of large-diameter, long-reach and difficult-access pipes. Having our headquarters in Detroit has made it possible for Doetsch to provide unique solutions to serve cities across the United States, thanks to the exposure to the automotive industry and vast industries located there.
Our family was always about business, and business was our family. From an early age, if I wasn’t in school, I was working for my grandfather as a field technician. My family and work life have always been interwoven, although in my early years I wasn’t certain that I would go into the family business. I liked building things, so after high school I studied engineering and realized I could apply those principles to the family business by developing new equipment. In 1993 I joined Doetsch as a full-time mechanic, where I was given that opportunity. The interesting thing, however, is that no matter how brilliant a new piece of equipment may be, it is useless without understanding the needs of the people putting it to use.
As a result, I began working with the Doetsch crews to better understand field operations so that the equipment could be further developed based on their needs and applications. This brings me to where I am today, serving as Doetsch’s vice president of operations. I don’t build equipment anymore, but I do build crews and processes. One of the resources to help me do my job better is NASSCO.
NASSCO influence
I first heard about NASSCO from a Doetsch vendor, Joan Stone from Pipelogix. NASSCO was having a membership drive in 2008 and Joan, who was serving on the NASSCO Board at the time, invited Doetsch to join. I quickly saw the benefits of NASSCO membership and it became clear to me that the industry is much bigger than any individual person or company.
Being a member of NASSCO is one thing, but being an active member is quite another. There are so many opportunities for knowledge and growth through participation in NASSCO committees, networking at events and commitment to advocacy. I really began to dive in and get involved in 2013 at NASSCO’s Annual Conference, the year Joan served as President.
Brad Dutruch, who served as NASSCO President from 2010-2011, invited me to run for a seat on the board. Joan and John Nelson, NASSCO’s 2012-2013 President, also encouraged me to run, so I nominated myself and was elected to the board, serving a total of 11 years. I was honored to serve two terms as NASSCO Vice President (2019-2021), with an additional two years of service as NASSCO’s Immediate Past President.
During my term of service, NASSCO helped me understand that involvement with like-minded people can set us all up for success. While it is a very professional organization, it is also a very personal group. Just like Doetsch, NASSCO members operate primarily from a business perspective, but we are also family. We truly care about each other, even competitors, because through adherence to NASSCO’s core values of collaboration, fairness, knowledge and support, there is room and opportunity for everyone to be successful.
Personally, my time on the NASSCO Board taught me how making business decisions for the good of the association can translate into how I make the best decisions for my business and even my own family. If I had to choose one word to describe how NASSCO has helped me grow both professionally and personally, it would be “community.” Without interaction with others, we don’t grow. That is partly why, for the past couple of years, I have served as chair of NASSCO’s Leadership Committee. It is a safe place for members to share challenges, successes and help each other build trust to become better leaders in our industry.
My hope for NASSCO’s future is to see it continue to grow with the strong momentum it currently has in place. As we attract more public agencies to NASSCO, we expand our community and follow an upward trajectory to professionalism. It is my hope that members continue to align themselves with NASSCO’s mission to set standards for the assessment, maintenance and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure, with a focus on development and safety to position all of us as stewards of the environment and the communities in which we live and work.
Comments