Meet Your New DPHA President: Phil Hotarek, Lutz Bath & Kitchen.

My name is Phil Hotarek, and I am honored to serve as the incoming President of DPHA.

I grew up in the plumbing industry as the son of immigrants—my father from the Czech Republic and my mother from Mexico—who built their American dream through hard work, faith, and a belief in opportunity. My father arrived in the U.S. with no money and no English, eventually finding work at Lutz Plumbing in San Francisco. After twelve years, he purchased the small company, and with my mother’s help, they transformed it from a couple of trucks into a thriving business and showroom that connected plumbing craftsmanship with people’s homes.

Much of my youth was spent on the ice playing competitive hockey across the U.S. and Canada, but no matter how far I traveled, the plumbing trade was my foundation. I apprenticed during summers, learned the craft from our team, and later helped evolve our showroom into a high-end decorative plumbing gallery focused on design, wellness, and innovation.

Fourteen years ago, I was introduced to DPHA, and it changed everything. I was one of the youngest members at the time, but the warmth, inclusivity, and collaboration of this community immediately drew me in. I volunteered wherever I could—writing articles, serving on committees, and eventually joining the Board. DPHA became a classroom for me—teaching lessons in leadership, listening, and gratitude that have shaped every part of who I am.

Because of DPHA, I learned that:

• Gratitude is the greatest currency we have. When you start from a place of “How can I serve?” instead of “What do I get?”, everything shifts.

• Inclusion isn’t a slogan; it’s a practice. It’s making room for new voices, younger leaders, different perspectives, and being genuinely curious about what they bring.

• This industry is better when we collaborate. We are competitors in some ways, but we’re also a community. When we share knowledge, challenge each other, and raise standards together, everyone wins.

For me, DPHA represents more than an association—it’s a symbol of what happens when people come together to share, learn, and give back. It’s proof that when we lead with gratitude and a spirit of service, the rewards reach far beyond business.

As President, I see myself simply as a servant leader for our members. My hope is that every person in this community can one day say, as I do, “DPHA has transformed my business and my life.”