For Anthony Altimari, water is a way of life.
As a member of the Board of Directors of the Plumbing Foundation and President and CEO of Bronx-based Marine Plumbing & Mechanical, Inc, he is focused on building and improving plumbing systems across the region while managing relationships with a wide range of clients to ensure consistent business growth.
When he’s not working, his favorite past time is fishing with friends and family.
“I was born and raised in the Mid-West so I love being so close to the water,” said Anthony, a Indianapolis native who moved to New York City when he was 19 years old. “That appreciation is what drew me to the plumbing industry. Plumbing is one of the cornerstones of modern society, playing a critical role in health, safety and quality of life. History has shown us that past ancient civilizations thrived after developing aqueducts that delivered fresh water and drainage systems that removed wastewater.”
As a father of four, Anthony’s passion for plumbing has spread to two of his children – with his daughter, Sophia, working as an assistant project manager at her father’s firm and his son, Anthony Jr., serving as a salesperson for Ferguson Plumbing Supply, as well as a licensed real estate salesperson. Both are currently attending a two-year program at the Mechanics Institute. Anthony’s brother also works for the company, overseeing cash flow management, including payroll, accounts payable and receivable.
As a contractor for more than 30 years with 100 employees, Anthony appreciates the positive impact the construction industry has on millions of New Yorkers.
“This industry serves as an economic engine generating jobs across multiple sectors,” said Anthony, a licensed master plumber in the City and Westchester County. “Not only does the industry generate jobs for skilled trades, but it stimulates related industries such as manufacturing, transportation and equipment production.”
That’s why the advocacy work of the Plumbing Foundation is so important, he said.
“As Foundation members, we are able to discuss these issues openly with each other to better understand how certain issues impact members in different sectors of the plumbing trade,” said Anthony, who has served on the NYC Construction Code Revision Technical Committee since 2017. “Together, we can determine the best course of action to ensure the safety and prosperity of our members and New Yorkers citywide.”
Anthony holds a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Captain’s license, and in his spare time, he fishes in shore and off shore. He also serves as a member on the Zoning Board of Appeals in Yorktown.
However, plumbing is where his heart is, and Anthony believes the mission of plumbing work is helping people, often in challenging times. That’s why he sees many parallels between the plumbing industry and the medical field.
“Whether the patient is a human being or a building, a lot of the same logic is applied, such as prevention and diagnosis, emergency response and ongoing maintenance, as well as the need for specialized tools,” he said. “Both professions are underappreciated until something goes wrong, yet they are both indispensable in our daily lives.”