An Athens Blog Feature

As Plumber Pro Service & Drain prepares to celebrate 11 years in business, founder Sam Ivey says it felt like the right time to share some of his story — and it's a story rooted, fittingly, right here in Athens.

Sam was born and raised in and around the Athens, Georgia area, save for a few years during childhood when his family lived out of state so his father could attend seminary. He's the first to tell you he loves this state and everything about it — from watching the Dawgs between the hedges in Sanford Stadium, to taking a short drive into Atlanta to catch the Hawks, the Braves, and the Falcons. From great sports and events to the mountains and everything beyond, he believes Georgia has plenty to offer, and he's grateful to call it home.

There's a particular kind of pride that comes with being an Athenian. This is a town that has punched far above its weight on the national stage, giving the world Michael Stipe and R.E.M., the irrepressible B-52's, and Hollywood icon Kim Basinger. Athens has long been a place where big ideas and original voices take root and grow into something the rest of the country can't ignore. And while music and film may be the city's most famous exports, Athens can now lay claim to something else few towns its size can boast: home to one of the most innovative plumbing companies in the nation, and the single most memorable, powerful brand in the entire plumbing industry. That brand was dreamed up, built, and brought to life by Sam Ivey himself.

His career in plumbing began in June of 2000, at the recommendation of his brother, who had already spent a few years in the trades. From the very start, Sam enjoyed everything about the work — but what he came to love most was meeting new customers and making friends along the way. Stepping in as the "Plumbing Service Hero" to resolve emergencies for people who truly needed help has been, in his words, some of the most fulfilling work he could imagine.

In 2010, Sam felt strongly impressed to start a plumbing company of his own. He began to plan, to pray, to study, and to prepare. Over the next five years, he earned his journeyman's license and then his master plumbing license. By 2015, he and his wife felt the time was finally right, and together they launched Plumber Pro Service & Drain. They started simply — just a little red pickup truck and some basic tools. But their goal was clear from day one: they never wanted to be "just another plumbing company." They set out to be known for being honest, friendly, and professional, for always providing the very best service possible, and for keeping the kind of hometown feel that makes people trust the person standing in their home.

It's that same creative, customer-first instinct that led Sam to one of his proudest achievements off the job site: the invention of Piper, the company's beloved mascot. Piper is the fun-loving, endlessly lovable face of Plumber Pro Service & Drain — a character Sam conceived from the ground up to make plumbing approachable, friendly, and genuinely memorable. Where most plumbing companies blend into a sea of look-alike logos and forgettable slogans, Sam saw an opportunity to do something no one else in the industry had done: build a brand with real heart, real personality, and the kind of charm that sticks with you. Piper does exactly that. Kids light up at the sight of him, families remember him long after the truck has pulled away, and what began as one plumber's clever idea has grown into the most recognizable and powerful brand identity the plumbing world has ever seen. In an industry not exactly known for imagination, Sam Ivey turned a service company into a household name — and gave Athens yet another original creation to be proud of.

One of Sam's fondest memories comes from that very first year as a new business owner. He was called out to help a woman whose husband was on oxygen and not doing well. It was clear she was overwhelmed and doing her absolute best in a difficult situation. Sam had come to clear a clogged toilet, but as he worked, he felt deeply impressed to simply be a blessing to her that day. When he finished, he told her there would be no charge — and that he was praying for them. The change in her face and the gratitude in her voice left him thankful for the honor of being able to offer her that bit of relief, and the moment has stayed with him ever since. Giving back and helping others in the community has been, and Sam says will always be, part of the DNA at Plumber Pro Service & Drain. The company is currently developing a community support page so customers can see the different ways it's working to make a difference.

A family man himself, Sam understands how much it matters for customers to have a family-owned and operated plumbing company they can count on — so he's kept his family involved every step of the way. One of the company's very first welcome videos starred his son, who, by Sam's account, stole the show. And at most of the events the company helps with — the Oconee Fall Festival and Christmas Parade, school career days, and more — Sam has had the joy of working alongside his wife, his daughter, and his son. It's also at these community gatherings that Piper often makes an appearance, delighting children and families and embodying the warmth and friendliness Sam built the company around. Seeing his family involved and watching Piper bring smiles to customers and friends brings him more happiness than he can say.

More recently, in June of 2021, Sam was honored to accept a position on the Construction Licensing Board with the State of Georgia for the plumbing trades. Serving on the board has been deeply fulfilling for him — helping ensure that plumbing as a trade stays strong for the next generation, and that the state and its customers are protected through proper plumbing standards and licensing requirements. It's a role that speaks to who Sam is at his core: not just a business owner chasing growth, but a craftsman invested in the health of his profession and the wellbeing of his community.

As he looks toward the future, Sam's focus stays exactly where it has always been: providing the best plumbing service possible for his customers, and keeping Plumber Pro Service & Drain a place where those in the trade are supported, where they can grow, and where the culture is healthy and centered on doing things the right way. Always. Eleven years in, with a master's license, a thriving family business, a seat on the state licensing board, and a one-of-a-kind mascot named Piper carrying the brand forward, Sam Ivey has done far more than build a plumbing company. He's given Athens something to brag about — and proven that a little red pickup truck, a lot of integrity, and a single big idea can grow into a legacy.