Los Angeles business leader calls for greater community investment in trades education and youth athletic programs

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / December 9, 2025 / Ignacio Duron, CEO of Most Valuable Plumber and the subject of a newly released feature article spotlighting his career, is using the moment to advocate for two causes he says shaped his life: skilled-trade career pathways and youth sports programs.

Duron, who grew up in North Hollywood and co-founded a fast-growing plumbing company with his family, says both areas are undervalued despite their proven impact on communities, local economies, and young people.

“Trades changed my life. Sports changed my life. If we give more kids access to both, we change whole neighborhoods,” Duron said in a statement accompanying today’s announcement.

Duron Raises Awareness About Skilled Trades Shortage

Duron points to national data showing a growing crisis:

• The U.S. will face over 500,000 unfilled plumbing and pipefitting roles by 2027, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• More than 40% of current plumbers are over age 45, meaning retirements will outpace new workers entering the field.

• Skilled trades salaries continue to rise, with many workers earning $60,000-$100,000 annually without a four-year degree.

“There are young people who think their only path to success is college,” Duron explained. “But trades offer real careers, real benefits, and real stability. We need to show them this path is not second choice – it’s a strong choice.“

Duron says hands-on problem solving, teamwork, and resilience are at the heart of the trades, and they are the same qualities that shaped him as a leader.

“I learned by doing. I learned by showing up. That’s the kind of opportunity the trades give you,” he said.

Championing Youth Sports as a Tool for Confidence and Leadership

Beyond business, Duron is known in Los Angeles County as a dedicated coach of youth football, flag football, and basketball – including the teams his sons play on. His advocacy for youth sports stems from lived experience.

“Kids need confidence more than anything,” he said. “Sports give them structure, toughness, and real-life lessons you can’t teach in a classroom.“

Research supports his stance:

• Kids who play organized sports are 15% more likely to have higher self-esteem, according to the Aspen Institute.

• Students who participate in team sports are 40% less likely to drop out of school.

• Youth sports participation is linked to better mental health, stronger social skills, and higher lifetime earning potential.

Duron says he’s seen the impact firsthand:
“Years later, players come back and thank me for believing in them. That means everything.“

Community Members Can Make a Difference

Rather than asking for funding or organizational support, Duron is calling on individuals to take meaningful local action.

“You don’t have to run a business to make a difference,” he says. “You can volunteer. You can mentor. You can coach. You can teach a kid how to use a tool or how to play a position. Every small action matters.“

Duron encourages community members to consider:

• Volunteering with local youth sports leagues.

• Mentoring teens interested in trades.

• Introducing young people to hands-on skills at home.

• Supporting programs that offer trade-school scholarships or equipment donations.

• Talking openly about alternative post-high school career paths.

“If every adult helped just one kid gain a skill or build confidence, we’d see real change across Los Angeles,” he said.

To read the full interview, visit the website here.

About Ignacio Duron

Ignacio Duron is the CEO of Most Valuable Plumber and a lifelong resident of Los Angeles County. Raised in North Hollywood, he built his business alongside his siblings and brother-in-law, growing it into a trusted service provider across the region. Duron coaches youth sports, mentors young athletes, and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Law at Arizona State University. His recent profile feature highlights his leadership, work ethic, and commitment to community development.

Contact

Info@ignacioduron.com

SOURCE: Ignacio Duron

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

Kansas City, Missouri – The 2025 Thanksgiving Soccer Camp sponsored by Kevin McManus Law gave families a welcoming place to gather and kids a chance to play during the holiday week. 

The three-day event blended movement, teamwork, and excitement for children who wanted something active to do during their time off. Held November 24–26 at Kansas City Future Legends in Merriam, the camp welcomed participants ages five to 14 from throughout the community.

The Thanksgiving school break can leave parents searching for safe and affordable activities for their children. Support from the KML Charitable Foundation helped lower registration costs this year so more families could participate. 

Camp pricing was set at $25 for one day, $35 for two days, and $45 for all three. Parents said the reduced cost helped their households during a hectic holiday stretch and offered real peace of mind.

During the camp, the KML Abogados de Accidentes team met with Spanish-speaking families, shared helpful resources, and provided free water bottles and drawstring backpacks to all participants. 

Kids took part in indoor training sessions, skill-focused drills, and a variety of games led by Playmakers Academy coaches. The program focused on confidence, teamwork, and fun for athletes of every experience level, creating an energetic environment that kids enjoyed throughout the holiday week.

The KML Charitable Foundation remains committed to strengthening Kansas City through youth sports, education, and meaningful community partnerships. 

The success of this camp reflected the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to support programs that give local kids opportunities to grow, stay active, and feel connected to their community. The Foundation plans to continue expanding partnerships that help families access meaningful experiences like this one.

Stay tuned for future camps, scholarships, and community projects that uplift and support families across Kansas City.

BAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ORDER LIKE SCHWARBER. CONGRATULATIONS TO BOWDOIN ASSISTANT BASEBALL COACH MATT ROGERS, WHO HAS FULFILLED A LIFE LONG GOAL OF PENNING A BOOK ON YOUTH SPORTS COACHING CALLED “THE RECIPE FOR BEING A GREAT COACH, IT’S MORE THAN WINS AND LOSES.’ ROGERS, WHO COACHED HIS CHILDREN AMONG OTHER EXPERIENCES IN THE SPORT WORLD, WAS MOTIVATED BY THE GREAT AND NOT SO GREAT THINGS HE WITNESSED IN SPORTS. “ACTUALLY GOT A REALLY COOL COMPLIMENT FROM A WOMAN WHO ADMITTED SHE’S NOT A SPORTS FAN. SHE’S A BUSINESS OWNER. SHE READ IT AND SHE SAID SHE COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN. SHE READ IT IN TWO DAYS. IT’S NOT A LONG READ ANY WAY BY DESIGN, BUT SHE SAID SHE COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN. AND SHE’S FOUND A BUNCH OF THINGS SHE’S GOING TO IMPLEMENT INTO HER BUSINESS. SO IT’S YES, IT’S ABOUT COACHING AND SPORTS, BUT IT’S REALLY ABOUT THE LIFE LESSONS YOU LEARN THROUGH SPORTS I’LL BE NICE. YOU CAN GET IT THROUGH TOW

CORVALLIS — Rick Bennett’s dedication to Philomath youth earned him recognition as the Philomath Youth Activities Club’s Promise Builder of the Year at the organization’s annual fundraising dinner Friday night at the CH2M Hill Alumni Center on the Oregon State University campus.

PYAC Executive Director Eddie Van Vlack said the award honors “a person or business that best exemplifies an unwavering desire to make a positive difference in the lives of the youth in our community.”

The recognition caught Bennett by surprise — he’s not one for the spotlight.

“My wife snuck pictures to Eddie,” Bennett said, referring to photos from past years that were shown as part of a slide presentation. “It’s fun to see some of the pictures. I had hair back then.”

For Bennett, the commitment started when his twin sons, Koeby and Spencer, joined PYAC programs in second grade.

“I coached them every year in basketball starting at a really young age and have always tried to be a support financially of PYAC,” Bennett said.

His approach to service stems from his upbringing.

“I was raised in a family with not a lot of money but we always learned to help others,” he said. “I learned that from my parents at a young age.”

Bennett’s daily priorities reflect that philosophy.

“When I wake up in the morning, my first thoughts are how much time to I get to spend with my wife, how much time do I get to spend with my boys … and how much time do I get to spend with a youth to make a difference.”

That commitment shows up in practical ways. Bennett has spent months volunteering with basketball players, hosting early morning workouts at his house.

“I had five girls show up at 7:30 in the morning and work out at my house for two hours and then at 9:30, I had five guys show up and work out for two hours,” he said.

With 44 years of experience in the fitness business, Bennett said he wants to help “youth become more fit and change their lives in a positive way — not just as an athlete but maybe long-term health as they get older.”

He currently coaches middle school basketball with assistance from his son, Spencer, and Preston Kramer.

Bennett credits the community for making youth development possible.

“It’s a funny old saying but it takes a village and Philomath is an amazing village with amazing people that want to help out,” he said. “And it’s emotional for me to see all the help.”

He sees PYAC as foundational to the community’s success.

“There’s so much help in this community and I just love that — that’s part of the reason why Philomath is so successful with the school programs and kids graduating,” Bennett said. “A lot of it starts with kids that go at a young age to PYAC and see the value of making friendships and connecting.”

Van Vlack said the PYAC board selects the Promise Builder award recipient from an evolving list of candidates.

“It’s not scientific by any stretch but there are certain things and certain people that just have a tendency to rise to the top,” he said. “One of the policies we have in general is we try not to recognize people that are still involved, whether that be as a board member or active coach and kind of wait until they’ve done their time, if you will.”

Van Vlack emphasized that award recipients represent the broader spirit of PYAC volunteers.

“There’s not a person in this room that does what they do for our organization because they want to get an award or want to be recognized,” he said. “They all have the right thing in mind and a big heart. I think it’s fantastic.”

The honor obviously had a personal impact on Bennett. The emotion of the moment played out at the table where he sat with his wife, Danielle, and during the few minutes he spent on stage, his voice cracked a few times.

“He has his heart in the right place, he really does,” Van Vlack said. “He wants to do the right thing, he wants to help kids, he loves basketball. … That emotion you saw in his face wasn’t fake — he was super excited, super honored.”

Bennett’s contributions extend beyond coaching. Van Vlack noted his longtime support of the PYAC Carnival, one of the organization’s most successful fundraisers.

“Every year, he dedicates himself and his family to the PYAC Carnival fundraiser, filling the high school football field with S&K Inflatables, games and rides just to enjoy the kids and families across our community,” Van Vlack said. “While this event has been crucial for helping our organization raise much-needed resources for our programs for the past 18 years, Rick would be the first one to tell you we measure the success of the event not by the dollars but by the smiles on kids’ faces.”

The evening also featured Gerry Alston, pastor at The Refuge in Philomath, as the keynote speaker. Alston shared his personal story of overcoming childhood struggles and discussed how PYAC has benefited his family and the broader community.

“His story is not a common one to us but the organization made such a difference to his whole family — not just to him, but his whole family,” Van Vlack said.

Jeff Minter, PYAC board vice president, served as master of ceremonies, and Mike King gave the invocation.

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

This study examines the ongoing decline of lacrosse officials in the Midwest by exploring how stakeholder behavior, organizational support, and personal motivations affect officials’ decisions to continue or leave the profession. The goal is to identify key factors contributing to attrition and provide practical recommendations for improving retention.

Methods:

A mixed-methods survey design was used to collect data from 55 lacrosse officials who had officiated in the Midwest within the past five years. Participants responded to a series of closed-ended questions assessing demographics, officiating experience, and interactions with coaches, fans, and players. Open-ended responses were also collected to contextualize and support quantitative results. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and illustrative quotes were used to reinforce common trends.

Results:

Most participants were White males over the age of 40, with more than a decade of officiating experience. While abuse from players was reported less frequently, officials indicated that verbal abuse from coaches and fans occurred often and significantly impacted their officiating experience. Additionally, officials expressed mixed feelings about the support they receive from associations and assignors. Despite these challenges, most participants reported a strong personal connection to the game and cited their passion for lacrosse and desire to give back as primary reasons for continuing. A subset of respondents, however, acknowledged that negative experiences have made them consider leaving the profession.

Conclusions:

Findings highlight the important role personal passion plays in keeping officials engaged despite a lack of institutional support and ongoing negative stakeholder interactions. Without meaningful changes to reduce abuse and increase organizational support, the officiating pipeline will remain vulnerable. The study also raises concerns about the lack of demographic diversity in lacrosse officiating, warranting further exploration.

Applications in Sport:

The results have practical implications for lacrosse governing bodies, assignors, and administrators. Improving sideline behavior, increasing compensation, offering mentorship, and expanding recruitment efforts to underrepresented groups could significantly improve retention and build a more sustainable and inclusive officiating workforce.

Key Words: officiating, lacrosse, referee retention, stakeholder behavior, sport management

INTRODUCTION

The shortage of sports officials, particularly in youth and high school sports, is a pressing issue that threatens organized athletics’ operational integrity and sustainability. The National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) found that around 50,000 individuals have stopped serving as high school officials since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 (Niehoff, 2022). This decline can be attributed to several interrelated factors, including occupational stress, abuse from spectators, insufficient support systems, and inadequate training opportunities for officials.

Literature Review