--- title: 2018 BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest Winners description: Twenty-four apprentices have emerged victorious in the 2018 BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest, representing the best in their trade, and proving their skill through advanced hands-on challenges and written tests. image: https://info.imiweb.org/hubfs/DX2_4374.jpg --- [![IMI_logo_primary_forweb_ret_400](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/IMI_logo_primary_forweb_ret_400.png?width=174&height=34&name=IMI_logo_primary_forweb_ret_400.png)](https://www.imiweb.org/) - BUILDING SOLUTIONS - SOLUTIONS - [New Construction](https://www.imiweb.org/new-construction/) - [Restoration](https://www.imiweb.org/restoration/) - NEW CONSTRUCTION ASSEMBLIES - [Brick](https://www.imiweb.org/new-brick-construction/) - [Concrete](https://www.imiweb.org/new-concrete-construction/) - [Concrete Masonry Units](https://www.imiweb.org/new-concrete-masonry-construction/) - [Plaster, Stucco, & EIFS](https://www.imiweb.org/new-plaster-stucco-eifs-construction/) - 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PROGRAMS & AWARDS - [BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest](https://imtef.org/iac/) - [JBC Masonry Innovation Competition](https://www.imiweb.org/jbcaward/) - [Masonry Camp](https://www.imiweb.org/imi-masonry-camp/) - [CONTACT](https://www.imiweb.org/imicontact/) - ![](https://imiweb.org/wp-content/uploads/icn-search-nav.png) ![HEADER_Contact1.jpg](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/mosaicprint_img/HEADER_Contact1.jpg?width=2000&name=HEADER_Contact1.jpg "HEADER_Contact1.jpg") # International Masonry Institute News ![HEADER_Contact1.jpg](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/mosaicprint_img/HEADER_Contact1.jpg?width=2000&name=HEADER_Contact1.jpg "HEADER_Contact1.jpg") # International Masonry Institute News [October 07, 2018](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/2018-bac/imi-international-apprentice-contest-winners) [Leave a comment](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/2018-bac/imi-international-apprentice-contest-winners#comments-listing) [Top Apprentices to Face Off In International Skills Contest](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/top-apprentices-to-face-off-in-international-skills-contest) [BAC Contractors, Members Help Save Chicago Building on National Register of Historic Places](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/bac-contractors-members-help-save-chicago-building-on-national-register-of-historic-places) # 2018 BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest Winners ![20181007-DX2_4390](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/20181007-DX2_4390.jpg?width=600&name=20181007-DX2_4390.jpg)Twenty-four apprentices have emerged victorious in the 2018 BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest, representing not only the best in their trade, but a bright future for the union.  The winners -- honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC on October 7th -- demonstrated mastery of their craft through advanced hands-on challenges and written tests.  "We like to say that we're the best hands in the business," remarked Jim Boland, President, IUBAC, to a crowd of apprentices and BAC leaders at the ceremony. "And we say that because it's true...Our dedication to high standards is what separates us from the rest, and we maintain that with our training." Bob Arnold, National Director, Apprenticeship and Training, IMTEF, recognized the apprentices' hard work: "I would like to thank the apprentices here tonight for their dedication to our craft,  union, and signatory contractors. You are the future of our union." Congratulations to the 2018 BAC/IMI International Champions!   Brick **1st: Alan Baggett, Local 09 WV – North Central Region** ![alan-bagget-brick-1-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/alan-bagget-brick-1-IAC.jpg?width=4464&name=alan-bagget-brick-1-IAC.jpg) **2nd: Tyler Hack, Local 04 IN/KY – North Central Region** ![tyler-hack-brick-2-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/tyler-hack-brick-2-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=tyler-hack-brick-2-IAC.jpg) **3rd: Max Berry, Local 07 CO – West Region** ![max-berry-brick-3-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/max-berry-brick-3-IAC.jpg?width=4464&name=max-berry-brick-3-IAC.jpg) # PCC **1st: Matt Botts, Local 01 OR – West Region** **![matt-botts-pcc-1-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/matt-botts-pcc-1-IAC.jpg?width=3500&name=matt-botts-pcc-1-IAC.jpg)** **2nd: Artur Wilk, Local 21 IL – North Central Region** **![artur-wilk-pcc-2-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/artur-wilk-pcc-2-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=artur-wilk-pcc-2-IAC.jpg)** **3rd: Melissa Manni, Local 01 PA – Northeast Region** **![melissa-manni-pcc-3-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/melissa-manni-pcc-3-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=melissa-manni-pcc-3-IAC.jpg)** # Tile **1st: David Perez, Local 03 CA – West Region** **![david-perez-tile-1-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/david-perez-tile-1-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=david-perez-tile-1-IAC.jpg)** **2nd: Christopher Ellis, Local 02 WA/ID/MT – West Region** **![christopher-ellis-tile-2-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/christopher-ellis-tile-2-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=christopher-ellis-tile-2-IAC.jpg)** **3rd: Neftali Vargas, Local 04 CA – West Region** **![neftali-vargas-tile-3-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/neftali-vargas-tile-3-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=neftali-vargas-tile-3-IAC.jpg)** # Marble **1st place: John Zorbas, Local 07 NY/NJ – Northeast Region** ![john-zorbas-marble-1-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/john-zorbas-marble-1-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=john-zorbas-marble-1-IAC.jpg) **2nd place: Thomas McAllister, III, Local 07 NY/NJ – Northeast Region** **![thomas-mcallister-III-marble-2-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/thomas-mcallister-III-marble-2-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=thomas-mcallister-III-marble-2-IAC.jpg)** **3rd place: Roberto Estrada, Local 13 NV – West Region** **![roberto-estrada-marble-3-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/roberto-estrada-marble-3-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=roberto-estrada-marble-3-IAC.jpg)** # Terrazzo **1st: Randy Marcum, Local 04 IN/KY – North Central** **![randy-marcum-terrazzo-1-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/randy-marcum-terrazzo-1-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=randy-marcum-terrazzo-1-IAC.jpg)** **2nd: Blake Price, Local 07 NY/NJ – Northeast Region** **![blake-price-terrazzo-2-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/blake-price-terrazzo-2-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=blake-price-terrazzo-2-IAC.jpg)** **3rd: Manuel Lopez-Pineda, Local 03 CA – West Region** **![manual-lopez-pineda-terrazo-3-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/manual-lopez-pineda-terrazo-3-IAC.jpg?width=2912&name=manual-lopez-pineda-terrazo-3-IAC.jpg)** # Stone **1st: Matt Ferguson, Local 01 PA – Northeast Region** **![matt-ferguson-stone-1-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/matt-ferguson-stone-1-IAC.jpg?width=2976&name=matt-ferguson-stone-1-IAC.jpg)** **2nd: Alex Cole, Local 01 MO – North Central Region** **![alex-cole-stone-2-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/alex-cole-stone-2-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=alex-cole-stone-2-IAC.jpg)** **3rd: Leonardo Bravo-Reyes, Local 01 MD/VA/DC – North Region** **![leonardo-bravo-reyes-stone-3-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/leonardo-bravo-reyes-stone-3-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=leonardo-bravo-reyes-stone-3-IAC.jpg)** # Plaster **1st: Josue Ayala, Local 01 NY – Northeast Region** **![josue-ayala-plaster-1-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/josue-ayala-plaster-1-IAC.jpg?width=2912&name=josue-ayala-plaster-1-IAC.jpg)** **2nd: Freddy Martinez, Local 56 IL – North Central Region** **![freddy-martinez-plaster-2-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/freddy-martinez-plaster-2-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=freddy-martinez-plaster-2-IAC.jpg)** **3rd: Casey Williams, Local 01 NY – Northeast Region** **![casey-williams-plaster-3-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/casey-williams-plaster-3-IAC.jpg?width=4368&name=casey-williams-plaster-3-IAC.jpg)** # Cement **1st place: Andrew Gifford, Local 19 WI – North Central Region** ![andrew-gifford-cement-1-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/andrew-gifford-cement-1-IAC.jpg?width=4464&name=andrew-gifford-cement-1-IAC.jpg) **2nd place: Anthony Loria, Local 03 NY – Northeast Region** **![anthony-loria-cement-2-IAC](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/anthony-loria-cement-2-IAC.jpg?width=4464&name=anthony-loria-cement-2-IAC.jpg)** **3rd place: Trevor Harbin, Local 02 MI – North Central Region** # ![5D4_7197](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/5D4_7197.jpg?width=4464&name=5D4_7197.jpg)  All photos courtesy of Dave Naprstek. 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