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

2nd: Tyler Hack, Local 04 IN/KY – North Central Region

3rd: Max Berry, Local 07 CO – West Region

PCC

1st: Matt Botts, Local 01 OR – West Region

2nd: Artur Wilk, Local 21 IL – North Central Region

3rd: Melissa Manni, Local 01 PA – Northeast Region

Tile

1st: David Perez, Local 03 CA – West Region

2nd: Christopher Ellis, Local 02 WA/ID/MT – West Region

3rd: Neftali Vargas, Local 04 CA – West Region

Marble

1st place: John Zorbas, Local 07 NY/NJ – Northeast Region

2nd place: Thomas McAllister, III, Local 07 NY/NJ – Northeast Region

3rd place: Roberto Estrada, Local 13 NV – West Region

Terrazzo

1st: Randy Marcum, Local 04 IN/KY – North Central

2nd: Blake Price, Local 07 NY/NJ – Northeast Region

3rd: Manuel Lopez-Pineda, Local 03 CA – West Region

Stone

1st: Matt Ferguson, Local 01 PA – Northeast Region

2nd: Alex Cole, Local 01 MO – North Central Region

3rd: Leonardo Bravo-Reyes, Local 01 MD/VA/DC – North Region

Plaster

1st: Josue Ayala, Local 01 NY – Northeast Region

2nd: Freddy Martinez, Local 56 IL – North Central Region

3rd: Casey Williams, Local 01 NY – Northeast Region

Cement

1st place: Andrew Gifford, Local 19 WI – North Central Region

2nd place: Anthony Loria, Local 03 NY – Northeast Region

3rd place: Trevor Harbin, Local 02 MI – North Central Region

 All photos courtesy of Dave Naprstek.