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.

MORE

Day in the Life

  • Mark Rogers

    Mark Rogers

    Yard and Warehouse

    Mark Rogers works in the Yard and Warehouse division at Lee Mechanical, where for a little over two years he's handled scheduling, logistics, unloading trucks, and doing whatever it takes to make his coworkers' days easier. His favorite part of the job is the people — a busy crew that always lends a helping hand and still finds time to laugh while getting the work done. Mark takes pride in serving the company's 400-plus employees, getting them what they need when they need it, and keeping everything running smoothly through clear communication.

  • Jeff Reiter

    Jeff Reiter

    Plumbing Superintendent

    Jeff Reiter is the Plumbing Superintendent at Lee Mechanical, where he has built a 36-year career overseeing everything within the plumbing division — from single-day client calls to multi-year projects on a much larger scale. With his mom among Lee's earliest employees, Jeff grew up alongside the company and the Lee family, watching it grow from a small family business into the contractor it is today. He takes pride in mentoring a crew that spans youth apprentices to seasoned journeymen, passing on the knowledge that keeps Lee successful on every project.

  • Casey Davis

    Casey Davis

    Sheet Metal Superintendent

    Casey Davis is a Sheet Metal Superintendent at Lee Mechanical, where six years on the job have him leading problem solving, fabrication, and production across job sites. He takes the most pride in the team he's helped build on the sheet metal side and the growth they've all had together. Casey is energized by the future of the trade and the chance to help apprentices and young people coming up through the ranks reach goals they never thought possible.