Board Members

Edward J. Howe
Director

Edward J. Howe is the second of three children born to Dorothy and Ed Howe. He grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood in the city’s northwest side. He learned the pipe trade early from his father who worked as a gas fitter for Peoples Gas & Light and Coke Co.

Mr. Howe attended St. Bartholomew’s Grammar School and St. Phillip’s High School on the west side. After graduating in 1954, he worked for P.J. Collins Plumbing Company. The company changes it’s name to Robert F. Phillips Co., Inc. in 1959 when Bob Phillips purchased it.

Mr. Howe entered the military for just over two years in 1959. Soon after, he met his wife, Carol. They married in 1963 and have three children: Ed, Shari and Tim. His family expanded with his son-in-law Dennis, and daughter-in-law Annette and five grandchildren: Sara, Jenna, Tim, Emma and Luke. Young Ed is a brother with the Congregation of the Resurrection and serves as the president of Gordon Technical High School in Chicago, and Tim is the vice president of Robert F. Phillips Co., Inc.

In 1979, after the sudden death of Bob Phillips, Mr. Howe became president of Robert F. Phillips Co., Inc. He has served as director with the Plumbing Contractors Association of Chicago and Cook County and was president of the organization from 1996-1998. Mr. Howe is co-chairman of the Plumbing Council’s Promotional, Public Relations and Special Functions Committee. He also served as a trustee of Local 130’s Joint Apprenticeship Committee, later becoming co-chairman. Currently, he serves as director of the Plumbing Council of Chicagoland.

Mr. Howe has coached youth football and baseball in Portage Park for more than 10 years and now lives in Arlington Heights. He enjoys traveling, walking, swimming, bowling, golfing and spending quality time with his family.