Joining the family firm in 1977 after graduating from Villanova University, Petri initially sought a different path. He once accepted a corporate sales position in Toledo, Ohio, only to abandon the plan at JFK Airport, realizing his identity was tethered to the plumbing trade. He returned to the field, eventually becoming a licensed plumber who prioritized the empathy required for residential emergency calls over the commercial projects preferred by his brother, Gerard.
Since 2015, the business has evolved under a new generation. Chris Petri, having left a Wall Street internship, now serves as vice-president and operations manager, holding a 49% stake in the company. He has integrated modern technology into a firm that still displays 20th-century artifacts like horse-drawn cart shoes and early lanterns. While Michael Petri admits that legacy carries less weight for younger generations, he remains grateful that the firm, which now employs over 40 people, continues to thrive under his son’s leadership.
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