Our First Female Member, Lori Henry, Completes Master Plumbers License

Posted September 5, 2024

LORI HENRY: TRAILBLAZER OF HER TRADE

Imagine the surprise and skepticism when a homeowner, expecting your typical plumber, opens the door to find Lori Henry, wife and mother of two, standing there to fix their broken sink.

The initial shock quickly fades away once they realize this woman is a master of her craft. Lori is not just fixing leaky faucets – she's shattering stereotypes and redefining the face of a traditionally male-dominated trade. As the owner of Gayson Plumbing and the first female Licensed Master Plumber to become a member of the Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors of Long Island (PHCC), Lori is a true pioneer in the plumbing industry.

Ironically, Lori never thought her future would involve being the head of Gayson Plumbing, a family-owned business established in the 1980s by her parents. She had always wanted to be a teacher so she had only worked part-time at Gayson Plumbing during college while she pursued her degree in elementary childhood education. After graduating, she was a substitute teacher for a while, but faced with a surplus of teachers and limited job openings for permanent positions, she found herself rethinking her future. It was then that Lori's mother suggested she work full-time for the family plumbing business, and the rest is history.

Although it was not her expected career path, the foundation of Lori's journey in plumbing was laid early in her childhood. She reminisces, "I've always looked up to and had a close relationship with my father, who is a Licensed Master Plumber. When he had to fix things, I was always by his side,” said Lori. “Even when I was as young as 5, I remember he would let me turn the wrench or screwdriver and encouraged me.” This early exposure to the trade, coupled with her father's patience, fostered Lori's mechanical abilities and curiosity for the industry.

Gayson Plumbing started as a small mom-and-pop shop and has grown into a thriving enterprise, and Lori has recently taken over the reins from her parents. As a woman in a male-dominated field, Lori has faced her share of challenges."Even to this day, everybody is always surprised to see me," she says. "I get the shock and awe the second they open the door and they always say, 'Oh, I didn't expect to see a woman.'" But Lori has learned to take it in stride, using these moments as opportunities to showcase her expertise.
To establish herself in the field, Lori has dedicated significant time to studying the New York state plumbing code and honing her technical skills. "My technical expertise is tested on a daily basis by my customers and even other trade professionals," she explains. She finds it extremely rewarding to use her knowledge and expertise to help her customers.

“I happened to just really love the plumbing field and all the challenges and all the rewards," Lori admits. "It's very satisfying to be able to help somebody who's in a panic to repair something and save the day.”

This commitment to excellence and dedication has earned her the respect of her clientele and her industry colleagues, as well. Being accepted as the first female Licensed Master Plumber of the PHCC of Long Island marks another milestone in her career. Following in the footsteps of her father, Jack Gayson, who was a long-time member and former president, Lori began attending meetings shortly after becoming a Licensed Master Plumber. She values the organization for its networking opportunities and the chance to combine traditional and modern plumbing practices.

“The best part of the PHCC is connecting the bridge between old school plumbing with the older guys and more modern techniques,” said Lori. “Also, everyone learns from each other. For example, when a new product comes out, people may be hesitant to use it. But then, we talk about it and strategize solutions and work through issues.”

Looking ahead, Lori sees potential for growth within the PHCC. While her current focus is on managing Gayson Plumbing and her other family-related responsibilities, she's open to taking on leadership roles in the future. "If I have the time to do it, absolutely, I will do it," she says. Lori recognizes the importance of new generations stepping up to lead organizations like PHCC, especially as the trades face challenges in attracting fresh talent.

As for the future of women in plumbing and other trades, Lori is optimistic. Her husband Bob, who is a teacher in the East Williston School District and also performs backflow tests for Gayson Plumbing on the side, tells her he sees an increasing interest among young women in trade programs at local high schools. "They're offering a lot of trade programs where they're pushing plumbing programs and electric programs," she notes. "And he's told me that he's seen young women showing an interest in the trades, and I think that that's a great thing."

Lori’s transition to owner of Gayson Plumbing, along with her acceptance into PHCC of Long Island, not only marks a personal achievement but also signals a shift towards greater diversity and inclusion in the plumbing industry. As Lori continues to build on her family's legacy at Gayson Plumbing and contribute to the PHCC community, she serves as an inspiration to aspiring tradeswomen and a reminder that with dedication and passion, any career goal is attainable. When asked what advice she would give to other women considering a career in plumbing, Lori doesn't hesitate: "Mind over matter. If you tell yourself you can do it and you persist to achieve it, it can be done regardless of your gender."

Lori's success extends beyond her professional achievements. She wears many hats, including those of daughter, wife, and mother to five-year-old twins. Every day she has to balance all of those roles, which is no easy task. She is a trailblazer and a testament to the limitless potential of women in the trades and in all career fields for that matter. The PHCC applauds her for consistently defying expectations, breaking barriers, and paving the way for other women in the plumbing field.