Women’s History – Adrienne Bennett

First Black Female Master Plumber in the United States

Women’s History Month is a wonderful time to celebrate women and their achievements and Kokesh Plumbing would like to celebrate Adrienne Bennett this year. Adrienne Bennett is the first black female master plumber in the United States, CEO of her own contracting company and an indomitable spirit that overcame racism and sexism to become the woman she is today.

 

She started her apprenticeship at age 22, she overcame harassment from other plumbers that didn’t think she was capable of doing the work it takes to become a plumber, but she kept at it and in 1987 became a master plumber- a first in the United States.

After working as a journeyman plumber, a master plumber, project manager, plumbing inspector and a code enforcement officer for the city of Detroit, she now runs her own commercial plumbing and water conservation company with her son.

Happy Women’s History Month!

Toto Washlet

The Toto Washlet is Toto’s premier bidet toilet seat, often touted as being one of the best bidets worldwide. The Toto Washlet was first introduced in 1980, as the world’s first luxury toilet seat with electronic functionality, and has 12 different styles to suit just about everyone’s needs. The Toto Washlets are designed to fit on most standard North American toilets.

One of the many benefits of a Toto Washlet is that it is very useful for the elderly, people with medical conditions, and people with disabilities.

• Toto Washlets have a drying feature that helps people with limited mobility and muscle weakness clean themselves in a way that can be difficult to do with just toilet paper. It helps minimize the use of your wrist to get at the difficult spots, which is particularly helpful for people with Parkinson’s disease, arthritis and morbid obesity.

• Similarly, people with gastrointestinal tract issues such as Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can find some relief by using a Toto Washlet, which helps eliminate the use of chafing toilet paper and also the cooling jet of water can help elevate the pain and burning of more frequent and painful bowel movements.

• Toto Washlets are much gentler on the skin as compared to toilet paper. Toilet paper can very rough on the skin, irritating the skin and can even cause tiny cuts or bleeding. Toto Washlets provide a soothing stream of water to our most sensitive areas, which especially is helpful for people with hemorrhoids and anal fissures and it helps reduce pressure in that area.

• It is also very helpful for seniors with poor hand-eye coordination, who are unable to trim their nails well, it stops them from cutting themselves while trying to clean themselves, which can lead to pain and infections.

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW THE TOTO WASHLET WORKS

Toto Washlets are much better for the environment than the traditional products for the bathroom.

• Toilet paper and flushable wipes are harsh on the environment, making toilet paper is a very labor-intensive process that involves pulping millions of trees and billions of gallons of water and flushable wipes are not biodegradable, and clump together to clog sewer systems.

• Toto Washlets are great for preventing clogs in your home and in the sewer systems. Toilet paper and flushable wipes can clog pipes, Toto Washlets only use a bit more water per flush than the usually flush and even have air dryers that climate the need to use toilet paper to dry off. In fact, more than 660 million gallons of water is needed every year to make toilet paper for just American adults alone, and the average American household of 4 uses 360 rolls of toilet paper a year, and the average American uses 90 rolls of toilet paper a year.

• Toto Washlets use way less water, no trees, and does not contribute the plastic that flushable wipes negatively effect the environment. Toto Washlets also perform a pre-mist of the toilet bowl before each use to prevent waste from adhering, which means the toilets need less cleaning, helping to keep harsh chemicals out of the ecosystem.

JJ Kokesh & Son is the only TOTO Factory Authorized Services for the Greater Saint Louis area. We have TOTO trained plumbers who can install and do repairs both in and out of warranty. Let us help you find, install and maintain your new TOTO Washlet or TOTO Neorest, helping you get the most out of your investment!

We are super excited to be part of TOTO’s history and these millions of installations!

Read more about the History of the Washlet.

New Apprentice – John

JJ Kokesh and Son is pleased to announce that we have hired a new apprentice! John Buckley is the newest member of our Kokesh Plumbing team and we are so excited to have him on our roster. Please join us in welcoming him as he takes his first steps in to the exciting world of plumbing. Below is an interview that we did with John to learn more about him, his experiences and what he sees for his future.

Q&A with John

Why did you want to become a plumber?
– My family is in the industry

What is your favorite color?
– Cobalt Blue

Where did you go to high school?
– Pattonville Senior High School in Maryland Heights, MO

What is your favorite plumbing job?
– Bathroom renovations

Why do you love being an apprentice?
– Learning about different plumbing jobs and being helpful to the plumbers

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
– Cookies and Cream

What is your favorite vacation spot?
– Pensacola, Florida

Where do you see yourself in the future?
– Being a Journeyman plumber at Kokesh Plumbing

He is very excited for his journey ahead and we are thrilled that John has become a member of our team. When you see him out with our plumbers please welcome and congratulate him! Don’t forget for any plumbing issues that you may have, please give us a call at 636-391-1233.

New Apprentice – Sean

The team here at JJ Kokesh are proud to announce that we have a new plumbing apprentice, Sean McVey! We are very excited to have him and you may be seeing him on jobs with our plumbers in the near future.

Being a plumbing apprentice is an important step on the road to becoming a fully licensed plumber. We talked to Sean about his life, his experience as an apprentice and where he sees himself in the future.

Q&A with Sean

Why did you want to become a plumber?
I love helping customers solve their plumbing issues and providing great customer service.

What is your favorite color?
Blue

Where did you go to high school?
St. John Vianney High School, in Kirkwood, Missouri

What is your favorite plumbing job?
Repair work – in basement floor- using the jackhammer is fun!

Why do you love being an apprentice?
I love being an apprentice because I love learning from and helping the guys with their projects.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Chocolate w/ hot fudge

What is your favorite vacation spot?
Black River Lodge in Lesterville, MO

Where do you see yourself in the future?
I see my still working here at JJ Kokesh, helping to provide the best customer experience to all of our customers.

We are so excited to have Sean as our new plumber apprentice so when you see him with our Plumbers on jobs, please give Sean a hearty congratulations and welcome him!

Remember that we are always here for any plumbing related issues that you might and that you can contact us at (636) 391-1233 or you can stop by: 408 Kehrs Mill Rd, Ballwin, Mo 63011.

JJ Kokesh and Son Plumber Wins Gold!

Our newest plumber Billy Hanning Jr. took time off this past week to fly to Nova Scotia to play for the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team.  The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team defeated Canada, 3-2, to win the 2016 World Sled Hockey Challenge, making this the second consecutive year!

We are beyond proud of Billy and how hard he works on and off the ice.  While he said he wouldn’t actually wear the gold medal while on jobs, if he comes to your home make sure you congratulate him!

His stats are:

USA Hockey

  • As a member of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, has played in one International Paralympic Committee Sled Hockey World Championship (gold – 2015) and two World Sled Hockey Challenge tournaments (first – 2015, 2016)
  • Was called up to the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team for the 2012 World Sled Hockey Challenge (first place)
  • Three-time U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team member (2012-14)

IPC Sled Hockey World Championship

  • 2015: Posted one assist in four games

World Sled Hockey Challenge

  • 2016: Notched two assists in five games
  • 2015: Tallied two assists over five games
  • 2012: Skated in all five games

Series vs. Canada

  • 2015: Skated in all three games

 

USA v Canada at the Harborcenter in Buffalo, NY. May 3, 2015. Gold Medal Game - 2015 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships A-Pool. Photo by Bill Wippert

Billy is seventh from the right

Read more about the game here:

http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2016/January/25/US-National-Sled-Team-Wins-2016-World-Sled-Hockey-Challenge