Jeramy Smith
Pleune Service Company
Over more than two decades in the trades, Jeramy Smith has built a reputation as a skilled craftsman, problem solver, and leader. As a foreman for Pleune Service Company, he oversees complex plumbing, industrial refrigeration, and mechanical systems while leading crews, mentoring apprentices, and helping customers navigate challenging projects.
Known for his technical expertise and ability to identify problems before they become costly mistakes, Jeramy has spent his career earning the trust of coworkers, customers, and company leadership alike. Whether reviewing blueprints, coordinating installations, or training the next generation of tradespeople, he approaches every responsibility with the same goal: doing the job right.
Yet when asked to reflect on his proudest accomplishment, Jeramy doesn’t point to a project, a promotion, or a technical achievement.
Instead, he remembers a phone call.
Years after leaving a company and moving back to Michigan, Jeramy received an unexpected call from a former helper he had mentored while working in the Chicago area.
The man wasn’t calling to ask for a job or seek career advice. He simply wanted to say thank you.
More than a year had passed since they had worked together, yet he still remembered the lessons Jeramy had taught him and the impact those experiences had on his career.
For Jeramy, the moment was unforgettable.
Throughout more than two decades in the trades, he has completed complex installations, led crews on major projects, solved challenging field problems, and earned recognition for his technical expertise. Yet one of the accomplishments he is most proud of has nothing to do with piping systems, mechanical rooms, or project schedules.
It’s knowing he helped someone else succeed.
That philosophy has shaped Jeramy’s entire career. Whether he’s mentoring apprentices, identifying costly design conflicts, advocating for safety, or helping customers find the best solution, his focus extends beyond simply completing the work. He believes the trades are ultimately about people, and the impact skilled professionals can have on those around them.
Finding Purpose in the Trades
Growing up, Jeramy always enjoyed working with numbers and problem-solving.
At one point, he considered pursuing accounting and even began taking college classes. But the more time he spent in a classroom, the more he realized something was missing.
Sitting behind a desk wasn’t for him.
Instead, he found himself drawn to the hands-on work he had experienced while helping his grandfather with farming and construction projects. He enjoyed building things, solving real-world problems, and seeing tangible results at the end of a day’s work.
“It’s the concrete physical result of what you build at the end of the day that brings real satisfaction,” he said.
Family members and family friends working in the trades also played a significant role in shaping his perspective. He saw firsthand the opportunities available to people willing to work hard, continually learn, and master their craft.
Eventually, the choice became clear. Construction wasn’t simply a career path—it was where he felt most fulfilled. More than 20 years later, that passion remains as strong as ever.
Earning Trust Through Expertise
One of the qualities that has defined Jeramy’s career is his willingness to speak up when something isn’t right.
Many people assume construction professionals simply follow the plans they are given. In reality, successful projects often depend on experienced craftspeople identifying issues before they become costly problems.
Jeramy has built a reputation for doing exactly that.
Over the years, he has reviewed drawings and discovered significant engineering conflicts that failed to meet code requirements or would have created expensive rework if installed as designed. Rather than quietly moving forward, he takes the time to verify the issue, gather additional perspectives, and work collaboratively with project partners to find a solution.
For Jeramy, the goal is never to assign blame.
“It’s entirely about a collaborative mindset of, ‘Let’s build this right the first time,'” he explained.
That approach has saved customers money, protected project schedules, and reinforced the trust others place in his judgment.
It also reflects a broader philosophy that guides his work every day: if you know something needs attention, you have a responsibility to address it.
The Merit of Hard Work
Jeramy’s career progression happened quickly.
Throughout his career, he consistently embraced difficult assignments, sought opportunities to expand his knowledge, and earned increasing levels of responsibility. Long before many people expected it, he found himself leading crews and managing complex projects. His career is a powerful example of the merit shop philosophy in practice.
“The merit shop model allows an individual to grow, advance, and command their career velocity based strictly on their own merits and hard work,” he said. “What you put into your career is exactly what you get out of it.”
When Jeramy joined Pleune, it was originally intended to be a short-term assignment.
Instead, it became a turning point.
The company provided opportunities to diversify his skills, expand his expertise, and continue growing as a leader. Today, he credits much of his success to the trust, support, and opportunities he has received throughout his career at Pleune.
“It’s more of a home than a workplace,” he said. “Leadership makes you feel that value every single day.”
Teaching the Next Generation
If there’s one topic that generates more energy from Jeramy than plumbing, refrigeration, or mechanical systems, it’s training apprentices.
He understands that today’s workforce enters the trades with experiences that often look very different from previous generations. Many young workers simply haven’t had the same exposure to tools, construction projects, or hands-on problem-solving.
Rather than becoming frustrated by that reality, Jeramy focuses on meeting people where they are.
His approach relies heavily on one-on-one mentorship.
When introducing apprentices to complex installations, he spends hours walking through layouts, explaining the reasoning behind decisions, drawing isometric sketches, and helping them visualize systems before work begins. He believes effective training requires patience, repetition, and a willingness to invest time in someone else’s success.
“I think it’s incredibly unfair to just blindly throw an unseasoned kid into a complex task,” he said.
The investment often comes at a cost. Time spent mentoring means longer days and additional responsibilities for him. Yet he continues to prioritize it because he understands the long-term impact.
Looking back on his career, one of his greatest sources of pride is seeing former helpers become successful tradespeople and leaders themselves.
“You realize you played a permanent part in their success,” he said.
For Jeramy, that’s the true measure of leadership.
Leading Through Honesty and Respect
Ask Jeramy how to earn respect from a crew, and his answer is immediate.
“Never lie to them.”
He believes trust is built through honesty, consistency, and a willingness to work alongside the people you’re leading.
That means giving straightforward answers, even when they’re difficult. It means being transparent with expectations. And it means grabbing a shovel when the work needs to get done rather than standing back and issuing instructions.
“If you walk right over, grab a shovel yourself, and work just as hard as they do in the dirt, the respect is instantaneous,” he said.
That leadership style has helped him build strong teams throughout his career and create environments where people feel supported, challenged, and respected.
It’s also why so many former apprentices continue to stay in touch years later.
Safety Is Non-Negotiable
Jeramy is quick to admit that safety wasn’t always viewed the same way when he entered the industry. Early in his career, shortcuts were more common, and many workers accepted risks that would never be tolerated today. Experience changed his perspective. Now, as a foreman, he views safety as one of his most important responsibilities.
“I have to be the living example for my crew every single day,” he said.
One incident reinforced that belief in a powerful way.
After a worker accidentally released hundreds of pounds of refrigerant into an enclosed mechanical room, Jeramy quickly recognized that oxygen levels were being displaced and that the situation posed a serious threat to everyone nearby. He immediately evacuated the area and took control of the response before anyone was injured.
Looking back, he knows the outcome could have been far worse.
Moments like that remind him why safety standards matter. They’re not paperwork requirements. They’re life-saving decisions.
Looking Ahead
After more than two decades in the trades, Jeramy remains passionate about solving problems, building teams, and helping others succeed.
He still enjoys the challenge of complex projects. He still takes pride in seeing a completed system function exactly as intended. And he still finds satisfaction in helping customers avoid costly mistakes before they happen.
But when he reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave behind, his focus always returns to people. The apprentices who became journeymen. The crews that learned and grew together. The individuals who gained confidence because someone took the time to invest in them.
For Jeramy, success has never been measured solely by the systems he builds.
It’s measured by the people he helps build along the way.
As a finalist for ABC Western Michigan’s Craft Professional of the Year Award, Jeramy Smith exemplifies the craftsmanship, leadership, mentorship, and integrity that continue to strengthen the construction industry.
