A Day in the Life with Adam DeBaere

Adam DeBaere, Plumbing Project Manager

With nearly a quarter century in the trade and nine years at Lee Mechanical, Adam DeBaere manages plumbing projects that keep facilities running safely and efficiently. He thrives on the flexibility of his role—balancing jobsite visits, coordination calls, and field problem-solving—all while staying connected to the team and clients. For Adam, every system installed represents clean water, sanitation, and real impact.

"Plumbing is way more than what most people picture. We bring clean water and sanitation to the world—and I don’t take that lightly."

No two days are alike. I’m managing multiple projects—coordinating materials, schedules, and manpower—while fielding calls from superintendents and clients. Some days I’m onsite reviewing progress; other days I’m on my laptop ensuring everything flows as planned.
Mobile connectivity is huge. Being able to log in from anywhere, review drawings, send updates, and communicate in real time keeps our crews productive and our jobs on schedule.
The flexibility and the people. I like being out and about—meeting with teams, solving issues on the fly, and knowing I have the trust to manage projects independently.
People joke about plumbers, but our work delivers one of life’s most essential resources. Clean water and sanitation save lives and improve every facility we touch. That’s something to be proud of.
It starts with planning. When you manage plumbing systems, every joint, fixture, and connection matters. I make sure our teams have the right information and tools so nothing’s left to chance.
Understand the value of what we do. It’s not just pipes and fittings—it’s infrastructure that supports communities. If you take pride in problem-solving and craftsmanship, you’ll go far.
Everywhere you see water flow or drains function—that’s our signature. Whether it’s a hospital, school, or industrial plant, plumbing keeps the operation clean, safe, and sustainable.

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