Born and bred in the sun-soaked streets of Escondido, California, Zack Smith is a true North County original—Escondido to Valley Center, now repping Rainbow like it’s his kingdom. At 19, Zack dove headfirst into the world of plumbing, thanks to a well-placed family plug from his uncle at Sherwood Mechanical. From ABC training classes to switching gears between non-union and union work, Zack eventually said, “Why not build my own empire?”—and boom, Zack Smith Plumbing & Contracting was born in 2005, and it’s still flowing strong.

Zack’s BIA (Building Industry Association) journey started with good intentions and zero event attendance on the books. So, for 4 years, he was a silent member until Brooke Velazquez from Bright Sky Recruiting flipped the switch. She gave him the insider’s tour, and Zack’s been all in ever since. Now, you can find him deep in the trenches of the SCC Committee, proud to be a 2025 Board Member and fully committed to the cause.

He’s all about building relationships and soaking up the wisdom from some of the sharpest minds in the biz. His BIA calendar is stacked with events like Taste of BIA, Trap Shoots, Meet the Builder, and the BIA Summer Golf Tournament—aka where business and fun collide.

When it comes to networking, Zack’s philosophy is simple: “Put out good vibes, meet everyone, and let the universe handle the rest.”

We encourage our BIA members to reach out to Zack if you see him at one of our events or committee meetings and let’s see how we can grow stronger and more successful together!

BIA Cares Backpack Committee Brings Smiles to Local Students

This August, the BIA Cares Backpack Committee proudly distributed backpacks filled with school supplies to eager students at Pro Kids Golf City Heights, Pro Kids Oceanside, and EJE Academies in El Cajon.

Committee members Jessica Nishiura, Austin Weinman, and Peggy Picano were honored to tour Pro Kids Golf with Jennifer Pillsbury, CEO, and Curtis Burkhead, Director of Golf. At the Oceanside location, Arnold Rios was thrilled to join in the backpack distribution, sharing in the excitement of students preparing for the new school year.

Pro Kids, First Tee’s mission is to challenge underserved youth to excel in life by promoting character development, life skills, and values through education and the game of golf. Curtis reminded us that in 2001, BIA Cares played a key role in building a two-story, 7,000-square-foot facility for Pro Kids. BIA members donated over $960,000 in materials and labor toward the $1.7 million project, a testament to the generosity and impact of our community.

On August 6, Peggy Picano visited EJE Academies to hand out backpacks during their Orientation Day. This dual-language charter school serves pre-K through 8th grade students, preparing them for success in higher education. Families were invited to share what matters most to them in their children’s education, posting heartfelt words like perseverance, creativity, kindness, mental health, engagement, and confidence.

EJE Academies recently unveiled a new building featuring a STEAM makerspace, an Alumni, College, and Career Center, and a music classroom, further enriching opportunities for its diverse student body.

Thanks to the support of our incredible members, BIA Cares is honored to help students and families start the school year with excitement and a smile.