The Arizona Builders Alliance (ABA) Associated General Contractors (AGC) Education Fund held its annual graduation ceremony Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at the Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West. This annual celebration finalizes the journey for individuals in programs that support workforce development and employment in numerous trades including Electrical, Heavy Equipment Operation, and Diesel Mechanics.
The event had a total of 289 in attendance and was sponsored by Procore, DP Electric, Sundt, Switch Electric, ABA, AGC, 3M and the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Apprentices started out with dinner as they and their families mingled with their peers. ABA members and companies that had graduating apprentices included: AME Electrical, Corbins Electric, Delta Diversified Enterprises, DP Electric, Granite Construction, Hunter Contracting Co., Jenco Inc., Kortman Electric Inc., Ludvik Electric, Markham Contracting Co., Inc., Rummel Construction Inc., Rural Electric, Sunland Asphalt, Sunstate Energy, Sundt, Switch Electric, Team Fishel, The Ashton Company Inc., Thomas Electrical Contractors, Urban Energy Solutions, and Wilson Electric.
During the ceremony, outstanding apprentice awards were given to two individuals who demonstrated hard work and dedication not only to their studies but in their willingness and the citizenship to learn and grow within their trades, were recognized. Willey Williams from Sundt’s Heavy Equipment Program received the Lloyd Hutchison award, presented by Josh Phillips, civil division manager at Sunland Asphalt and David Mullaney, director of sales at Empire Southwest. Jason Brown from Delta Diversified Enterprises’ electrical program received the Ernie Bonham award, presented by Scot Rager, education manager at D.P. Electric Inc. and Dan “The Tool Man” Steindam, area sales manager at IDEAL Industries Inc. Jason Brown of Delta Diversified was also the ABA AGC Education Fund’s Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Silver winner in the National Craft Championship (NCC) held in Long Beach California earlier this year.
Of the 48 total graduating apprentices, 30 were from the Electrical program, 12 were from the Heavy Equipment Operators program, 6 were from the Heavy Diesel Mechanics program.
Before concluding the ceremony, the Vice President of Training and Development Fred Ingersoll asked Jeff Meador of Switch Electric, Chris Cramer of D.P. Electric, Jason Brown of Delta Diversified Electric, and Lawrence Thompson of D.P. Electric, to stand, announcing that these graduates are showing their true passion for the craft as they will be coming back in the Fall as instructors.
About Arizona Builders Alliance
The Arizona Builders Alliance (ABA) is an alliance of the Arizona Chapters of the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), and the Associated General Contractors of America – Building Chapter (AGC). The ABA has offices in Phoenix and Tucson that represent over 300-member companies, including contractors and professional service firms that serve the needs of the commercial and industrial construction industry. The ABA’s purpose is to lead members and the construction industry to greater productivity and profitability through education, networking and business development opportunities and legislative advocacy.