Instructors
We have 4 professional instructors to guide you through the certification process.
Greg Hand
Greg Hand started Backflow Training Services in 1998. He is a licensed Master Plumber and has served on the State of Utah Plumbing Code Advisory Board. He holds an AAS Degree from Salt Lake Community College, Professional Educators License for the State of Utah, American Backflow Prevention Association certified tester and ABPA Proctor, Previous Utah Chapter President of the American Backflow Prevention Association 1996-1998, and the Utah Chapter Meritorious Service Award in 2002.
He taught in the Apprenticeship Plumbing Program at Salt Lake Community College for 30 years, at nights, along with being a full-time plumber with over 50 years of experience in the plumbing field. He has plumbed everything from houses to large commercial and industrial jobs. He retired from Salt Lake Community College as a plumber/pipefitter/welder. He sold Backflow Training Services in 2024 to Utah Plumbing and Heating Contractors.
Greg has taught backflow certification classes since 1985, including courses at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Eielson Air Force Base, Fairbanks, Alaska, Wyoming Rural Water, Glenrock Wyoming, Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, Utah National Guard, various state, government, and engineering entities. Students have come from as far away as Texas, Alaska, Hawaii, New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, New Jersey, even England and Korea to take his classes.
Tyler Clark
Tyler holds a master plumber license with the state of Utah and is a lead plumber at Salt Lake Community College. At night, Tyler is an instructor for apprenticeship plumbing, also at Salt Lake Community College.
Tyler holds a class II backflow certification and instruct new and recertifying testers. He helps them learn the faults and test procedures to pass their practical exam with Backflow Training Services. Tyler enjoys teaching, probably more than plumbing!
Steve Starr
With over 24 years of experience in the water industry, Steve Starr has devoted his career to ensuring the safety, reliability, and quality of water systems. Starting in the wastewater sector in 2001, Steve quickly advanced to roles that expanded his expertise into water distribution, water quality, and cross-connection control.
Currently serving as Division Manager over Water Maintenance and Water Quality at Granger-Hunter Improvement District, Steve oversees the maintenance of valves, fire hydrants, and compliance with State and EPA drinking water standards. A certified Grade IV Water Distribution Operator and licensed Backflow Administrator and Tester, Steve is committed to upholding the highest standards of water safety and service.
In addition to his managerial responsibilities, Steve is passionate about education and training, he teaches backflow tester courses, equipping the next generation of professionals with the technical expertise and real-world insights needed to protect public health.
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Rob Allen
Rob brings more than four decades of experience in the plumbing and mechanical trades, spanning fieldwork, senior management, regulatory leadership, and education. He taught in the Plumbing Apprenticeship Program at Salt Lake Community College since January 1989 – 2023. He is now an advisor to the UPHCA Apprenticeship Academy and is registered with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) to teach Continuing Education courses for licensed plumbers.
He is a Utah State Master Plumber and the former Chair of the Utah State Plumbing Licensing Board (DOPL). His licensure background includes Journeyman licenses in Indiana, Wyoming, and Colorado, and a Colorado Master Plumber’s license.
Professionally, he served for many years in senior leadership roles with commercial plumbing and mechanical contractors, and before retirement he was the Production Manager for Shamrock Plumbing, overseeing commercial plumbing operations, safety, workforce management, training, and project coordination. I also held leadership positions with Comfort Systems USA Intermountain and ESCO Mechanical Contractors, managing large-scale commercial projects, estimating, design-build work, and field supervision.
His career began as an apprentice plumber and progressed through all levels of the trade. Prior to entering the industry, he served in the United States Navy as a Machinist’s Mate First Class (E-6), working with steam and condensate systems, pumps, turbines, and related equipment, and was honorably discharged.
