Meet The Team

Walla Walla Team

Jeff Knowles

Started thinking about plumbing and called all the plumbers in town to see if they were hiring at age 16. At age 18 began purchasing A-1 Plumbing (then known as Gary Aichele Plumbing) with his two brothers and father. Worked as a plumbing apprentice for four years and then tested out as a journeyman plumber.

Loves playing football, volleyball, or anything active. Enjoys people and solving problems. Ready, willing, and able to help solve any plumbing problem you may have. Loves GOD and seeks to serve Him daily.

Dave Knowles

Dave purchased A-1 Plumbing (known then as Gary Aichele Plumbing) with his two brothers and father in May of 2003. Since that time he has played an active roll in the daily activities that make up the small family owned business. He thoroughly enjoys the varied challenges that come with working in the plumbing industry.

Dave has been blessed with a lovely wife and 6 amazing children. When not at work he is often with one or more of his family tackling some project on the farm, playing sports, or just having a relaxing evening together.

Dave is a born again Christian and seeks God’s grace to live out his faith in all of his daily activities, keeping in mind the scripture "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

Matt Harri

Matt grew up in Walla Walla, spent four years earning a Bachelors Degree in Biology, then spent the next eight years building his skills as a contractor in Kansas City.

Starting a family with his wife, Song, brought them back to the beautiful Walla Walla Valley and they have enjoyed establishing themselves here at the base of the Blue Mountains ever since. Matt enjoys all things outdoors, motorcycles, music, ceramics, football, and most of all, spending time with his wife and five children.

Jose Esparza

Born and raised in the Walla Walla Valley. I have had the pleasure of working with A1 plumbing for 5 years. I am looking forward to servicing the community.
I spent a few years in Portland, earning a bachelors degree in biology before resettling back in the Walla Walla Valley.

I enjoy exercising, spending time with family and friends, and the outdoors.

Colton Hodgson

I have been in the service plumbing industry for 7 years. Proud father of 2 beautiful little girls, Jubilee and Lucia. When I'm not plumbing I enjoy spending time with my wife, Sarah and our girls. I also enjoy doing yard work at home, BBQ with friends and family, doing puzzles, competing in strongman comps and praising Jesus. I enjoy serving the Walla Walla Valley where I grew up and look forward to serving you. Thank you!

Reyn Hodgson

My name is Reyn, the “Y” is silent. I love working with my hands no matter how dirty the job gets. When I’m not working I love to restore knives and smoke meats with my smoker. Happily married with 2 dogs, a Husky and a Golden Retriever. My motivation is to temper the chaos to forge the bliss. We all have an opportunity to do great things in our day, but it’s also our choice to take advantage of them.

Leo Martinez-Ruiz

Hi there, I am Leo and I am born and raised in Walla Walla. I am a caring, honest, and funny individual. I am always opened minded and love learning new things. I come from a family of 8, 6 being sisters. I have a background in construction and worked at Les Schwabs for many years before finding my way into plumbing! On my free time I enjoy spending time with family, along side hunting and fishing!

Mikhail Mironov

Mikhail Mironov also known as (Little Mike). My goal is to serve the community with efficiency and integrity. I like to work with my hands and optimize with my drain. I love the outdoors and traveling with my family. Snowboarding, fishing, camping, traveling, and precision shooting are some of my favorite things to do. A-1 Plumbing takes care of us and invests time in us for making us the best plumbers we can be for the community. I enjoy working for them and the love for my job trickles down to you. Thank you.

Jose Regalado

Hello, I'm Jose Regalado I am a Walla Walla local who loves animals and helping others. I am married and have a 2 year old daughter. On my free time you will almost always catch me outdoors possibly fishing or hiking. My goals for the future are to become a journeyman plumber and to purchase land to be able to raise cattle and breed horses.

Trever Knowles

Hi I’m Trevor, I was born and raised in the Walla Walla Valley. I'm the youngest Residential Journeyman Plumber on the team! On my days off, I enjoy playing guitar, playing pickleball or spike ball, and going to the shooting range.

Mario Batalla

Mario is a skilled journeyman plumber with over seven years of experience working for A1 Plumbing. He has extensive knowledge and expertise in the plumbing industry, and his electrical experience makes him an invaluable asset to the team. Mario also has a license for home inspection, which sets him apart from other plumbers. He was born and raised in Walla Walla, WA and currently resides here with his wife, two dogs, and kitty cat. He enjoys traveling, mountain bike and most outdoor activities. He takes pride in his profession and is committed to providing top-notch service to his clients.

James Whitfield

I enjoy being active in life and in my church. I hope to make it easy for others to feel comfortable and make people laugh. Laughter is a medicine for our souls. "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Ecclesiastes 3:1

Eric Farber

I am honored to be part of the A-1 team. I began plumbing in 2007 and consider it a hobby, not a job. I enjoy taking care of customers. God has truly blessed me with this company.

Rodney Minkel

Rodney is hard working and excited to experience new things when he isn't working he's out exploring the joys of fatherhood.

John Batalla

Coming Soon.

Tim Knowles

Coming Soon.

Pendleton Team

Stephen Butler

My name is Stephen Butler. I have lived in Walla Walla for 40 years. I graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in education. I love spending time with my family and I enjoy camping, riding motorcycles, movies, and time around the campfire. I've been plumbing for 3 years and really enjoy helping those in need.

Chris Straub

Chris enjoys the outdoors, fishing hunting, motorcycles and spending time with family. Chris has primarily worked construction mostly during his life and was a Carpenter before he became a plumber. Most of his family were tradesman so the construction trade has run in his family for generations.

Allison Mennealy

Hi! My name is Allison and I am one of the newest members of the A-1 Team but I have been plumbing since 2019. I recently married my husband who brought us to Pendleton. If you have me as your plumber, there is a good chance you will hear me singing while I work. When I'm not plumbing, I enjoy spending time with my husband outdoors. We do a lot of hiking and camping no matter the weather and we have a really energetic Labrador.

Warehouse Team

Kory Parke

Hi my name is Kory and I have lived in Walla Walla since 2014. I feel extremely privileged to be rooted in this community and to be working for A-1 plumbing. My church, family and friends have defined my life over the last decade of my life!

Office Team

The team behind the phones, A-1 Club Memberships, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, backflows, and all the things it takes to keep the day running smoothly.