Mark Shimp

The story of how I got started in business….. Well I would have to give all the credit to my Parents! We are a very deep rooted Blue collar family. From my Grandfathers both being WW2 Veterans and later one being a Dairy Farmer and the other a Welder to my Dad and Uncles all being in the Trades.

From as far back as  I can remember, a work ethic was instilled in us. At 12 years old I was cutting 8 of my neighbors lawns every week. By the time I was 16 years old I had 52 accounts that myself and a friend cut every week.  After I got my driver’s license I started to work at my Uncle John’s construction/plumbing company Shanahan and Luff in Newtown, PA. I started sweeping the floors and washing trucks. Then as time went on I would go on jobs and cut and carry pipe. I LOVED BEING PART OF THE CREW!!! 

Eventually, I would go on the Co-Op student work program for Pennsbury High School which meant I would go to school until 11:00 then I had to be at work everyday by 12:00.  This is when I realized even more the value of working hard and getting a paycheck every week! It was a great feeling being a Senior in High School and always having money in my pocket!!  

As High school was ending and wanting to follow in my family’s tradition of Military service, I joined the United States Marine Corps. I went in on the QEP (Quality Enlistment Program) where I could pick my field of job. (Not your specific job). My field of choice was Utilities. I wound up getting orders to the Marine Corps Engineer School at Court House Bay on Camp LeJeune NC, and became an 1161 Basic Refrigeration Mechanic. I received orders to: 

Engineer Platoon

Service Company

8th Communication Battalion 

2nd Surveillance Reconnaissance Intelligence Group (SRIG)

2nd Marine Division Camp LeJeune, NC

Where I spent the next 2 1/2 years before getting orders to Iwakuni Japan. After the Marine Corps I moved back home and immediately starting working for my Uncle John again at Shanahan and Luff. I enrolled in the Plumbing Apprenticeship Program. After 3 years working for S&L I made a move to K.E Seifert Plumbing in Langhorne, PA were I became a Utility Forman. I finished my Apprenticeship and passed my Journeyman test in 2001. In 2004 I applied for and passed my Masters test.  

In 2005 after my oldest daughter was born and much conversation with my wife, we decided it was time for me to give my dream of being a business owner a shot! Well…. that was 18 years ago and we are still Honored Guests in clients homes everyday!

Mark J. Shimp

Owner

M.J. Shimp Mechanical