Shining a Light on Jason Russell: A Journeyman Plumber's Inspiring Journey

Background & Role: Jason is a reliable and hardworking team member at Columbia River Plumbing & Construction, where he has been a dedicated part of our team for the past 8 years. Though quiet by nature, Jason has consistently proven himself as someone who shows up, gets the job done, and takes pride in teaching apprentice team members along the way. His path to the trades wasn’t traditional before plumbing, Jason worked multiple jobs, including concrete work and bartending at restaurants- but was always grinding.  It was his strong work ethic, instilled by his mother who worked multiple jobs to support him, that pushed Jason to keep striving for more.Originally considering a career as an electrician, Jason faced early setbacks due to a lack of experience. But that didn’t stop him. With determination and grit, he found his way into the plumbing trade, where he quickly discovered his love for problem-solving and the satisfaction of building something that lasts.

Work-Life: A typical day for Jason revolves around keeping projects moving forward, teaching the apprentices and ensuring that quality work gets done the first time. One of his proudest moments was working on the Ridgeview project, where management gave him the freedom to take ownership and find solutions. That project marked a turning point in his career and solidified his confidence in his skills.

Jason enjoys seeing the vision of a project come to life and thrives in the team atmosphere. He admits that, like many, he once believed the common misconception that plumbing was just fixing drain lines but now appreciates the technical skill and puzzle-solving that comes with the job.

Personal Interests: Outside of work, Jason is happiest in the mountains and going off the grid. He loves spending time with his girlfriend at Lake Roosevelt, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, and unplugging from daily life.

Fun & Lighthearted: While Jason may not be the first one to grab the microphone for karaoke, he jokes that if he did, it would be an Alice In Chains song. A fun fact about Jason? As a kid he had a love for baseball, having played from Little League through high school as a pitcher and left fielder.If given the chance to have dinner with any historical figure, Jason would choose Donald Trump, citing his knowledge and authenticity as a leader.

Looking Ahead: Jason has clear goals for the future. Personally, he plans to upgrade from his current home and buy a new home with more space for him & his girlfriend and their 2 dogs. Professionally, he’s focused on continuing to grow, learn, and perfect his craft. His advice for anyone starting in the trades is simple but true: 'Don’t get frustrated. You’re going to make mistakes. Keep an open mind and keep pushing forward.'

In five years, Jason still sees himself proudly working at CRP&C. Though the work can be stressful at times, the pride he feels in doing his best every day keeps him motivated and committed.

His love for firearms and the outdoors is a big part of his life, and he finds peace in shooting and exploring nature and that will continue as well!

Note from the Owners: Jason has been an incredible part of the Columbia River Plumbing & Construction family. His reliability, strong work ethic, and quiet leadership do not go unnoticed. He may not be the loudest in the room, but his actions speak volumes. Jason perfectly represents our core value of reliability; throughout his 8 years Jason has never been late to work or missed a scheduled workday. We’re proud to have him on our team and look forward to seeing him continue to grow and contribute to his PPF Goals and CRP&C’s success.