The first shop was a one-car garage in Lawndale, with one employee and an old Chevy truck. Our first jobs were mostly in Hawthorne, tri-plexes and single-family homes. After the first couple of years, we found a niche in high-end custom homes in Beverly Hills, Bel Aire, Malibu, etc. Eventually, John rented a house in Hawthorne with a small garage, later he built a new home with a 80 ft. long garage to accommodate the growing fleet of plumbing trucks. When the fleet grew, and we were parking trucks on the street and in the driveways of our neighbors, it became clear that it was time to move, that’s when we moved to our present location in Redondo Beach.

Eventually, the client list grew, and good people were hired. We have become one of the prominent businesses in the South Bay area. We feel that our customers appreciate the great communication, and attention to detail, which DDS has always believed in. Since 1986 we have completed over one thousand custom homes, multifamily buildings, commercial buildings, car dealerships, remodels, restaurants, assisted living facilities, etc. as well as given top notch service and repair to the community. Lately, we had the privilege to be asked to donate our services for Kristina Ripatti and family for the Extreme Makeover Home Edition, where we assisted in building a custom home in one week. John is very proud of the employees that gave so willingly of themselves for a good cause. All the employees who participated in the project agree that it was a fulfilling and unforgettable life experience.

John was born in Redondo Beach, and has been in the South Bay ever since, graduating from West Torrance High. He is married to Carmen Phillips, and they have two sons. He began DDS Plumbing when he was 20 years of age, and while attending El Camino Jr. College. His original career choices were architecture or advertising design, and he was also interested in the arts. His plumbing experience began at an early age as he grew up around his grandfathers plumbing shop (John E. Phillips Plumbing, est. 1943) where he spent weekends as a child taking apart valves and reassembling them as well as separating parts for scrap and conducting inventories (counting fittings in bins). Later in his high school years he worked summers, weekends and part time installing water heaters and repairing furnaces. Fortunately, John has always been good with his hands and a mechanical thinker, his grandfather on his mother’s side, Charles Roland Upham was the kind of man that could build and/or fix anything, John enjoyed building projects with him in his garage in Gardena. He also gained valuable experience working with his father, John C. Phillips, rebuilding engines, and building furniture. Eventually, John wanted to gain experience in new construction plumbing, so his father introduced him to a friend who was in that field. He learned fast and after two years working part time while attending El Camino, he had an opportunity to start on his own. Those first few years were difficult, but the more jobs he got under his belt, the more comfortable he felt. John is grateful to all his employees for their hard work and commitment over the years, and to his great customers for their loyalty and trust.

Carmen has lived in the South Bay her whole life. Daughter of Swiss and Nicaraguan immigrants, she is bilingual and appreciates the value of hard work. She holds a Degree from Cal State Long Beach, where she majored in communications. After college, she entered the corporate world working for a large manufacturer in the automotive industry in a sales capacity. Carmen began helping John full time in the business in 1996. She is the mother of two boys, but still finds time to devote to her clients, whom she enjoys helping selecting their plumbing fixtures. She is adept at matching the right fixture selections for her client’s individual needs.

Chip was born in 1959, married in 1982, with two children, 19 and 15 years of age. Chip started his long life as a plumber in the south bay at the age of 18. Since then he has worked with many companies on a wide spectrum of jobs ranging from light residential to heavy commercial. Chip became a part of DDS in 1999 starting as a foreman and eventually field superintendent. Chip oversees and manages all of the company’s ground and rough plumbing job sites and is in charge of all plumbing crews. Chip’s extensive knowledge of the construction industry and attention to detail has enabled him provide excellent quality control for DDS. In his spare time Chip enjoys camping, and dirt bike riding with his family.

Ed has been in the plumbing field for 22 years, the last 5 of which he has spent at DDS. He was born and raised in Torrance, a graduate of West Torrance High. He is married with 4 children, and enjoys golf and surfing. He has worked as a service manager and in the field, which in valuable when helping customers with their plumbing needs. He is happy to work with a company which prides itself on its’ professionalism and service. Ed is always available to listen to and help you through any plumbing need.

Lalo has been with the company for six years, working mainly in the finish department, and currently heading the department. He has nearly 15 years of experience in the trade. Lalo was born in Mexico City in 1977. He enjoys interacting with our clients, his colleagues, and all the office staff. Lalo likes the challenge of working with all the new products that our clients choose. He feels the satisfaction of knowing that we are a solid company, committed to the needs of our clients. We as a company are glad to be able to rely on him to always give his best effort.

Bill has been in the plumbing industry for 22 years, and considers it to be an excellent trade. He is a very family and friend oriented person who loves the outdoors. Bill has given 5 years to the company, and is proud to be with an organization that provides the opportunity and training for young persons interested in the trade. He feels that we have the best staff and foremen in the South Bay.

Scot works hard and plays hard. He dedicates his spare time to riding his Harley Davidson, and to his membership with the Elks Lodge. He also enjoys volunteering for charitable causes. Scot has been plumbing for nearly 10 years and has worked with DDS for over half his plumbing career. He has learned many things during his employment with DDS and plans to continue to learn, excel and improve as the years pass.

A California native, Lou has been in the plumbing field since 1972, and attended the PHCC trade school. He ran his own company for 12 years, and has worked with several other plumbing companies, in the areas of service and repair, new construction, heating. Lou enjoys working with DDS for many reasons including good supply of material and equipment, and the fact that the company is constantly striving to improve, he also enjoys the DDS family functions that are regularly held. Lou feels strongly about taking care and pride in his workmanship.