Contact: Gerry Fritz (703) 812-2062               [email protected]

For Immediate Release May 7, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today announced Michael Arledge, a journeyman electrician for Greiner Electric, Littleton, Colo., as its 2013 Craft Professional of the Year. The award was presented May 3 during ABC’s 21st Century Workforce Development Conference in Birmingham, Ala. 

Each year, ABC presents the Craft Professional of the Year award to a construction craft professional who excels in his or her field, maintains a lifelong commitment to training and upholds the merit shop philosophy. 

“Mike has an unrivaled passion for his job and for passing along what he has learned to the next generation by mentoring new trainees and workers,” said 2013 ABC National Chairman Greg Hoberock, CEO of hth companies, inc., Union, Mo. “His humble attitude and dedication to safety, quality and innovation make him the perfect choice as the 2013 Craft Professional of the Year.”

Arledge has been in the construction industry since 1996, and once owned a framing company in Denver. Nine years later, he changed crafts and become an electrician, working as an apprentice for several electrical contractors. Today, Arledge is a lead journeyman with ABC member Greiner Electric in Colorado. He is a member of the company’s safety committee and teaches 1st year NCCER electrical apprentice and core curriculum at the Construction Industry Training Council in Denver.

Arledge received a fill-sized pickup truck from Tradesmen International.

All nominees were evaluated on several criteria, with the top candidates being chosen as finalists. The ABC Craft Professional of the Year winner was selected from those finalists. The other finalists were: 

Leo Aragon
Enterprise Builders Corporation, Albuquerque, N.M.
New Mexico Chapter

James Keyser
Gorski Engineering, Inc., Collegeville, Pa.
Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter 

William Lastinger
Benchmark Construction Company, Inc., Ephrata, Pa.
Keystone Chapter

Dereck Reigada
Lake Mechanical Contractors, Inc., Eustis, Fla.
Central Florida Chapter

The criteria upon which candidates were judged included: the candidate’s mastery of job-related skills, jobsite and safety performance record, leadership, professionalism, community and industry service, personal motivation, credentials, commitment to the merit shop construction philosophy and recognition by others for the candidate’s excellence in craft skills and teamwork to complete projects successfully. 

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Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national trade association representing 22,000 members from more than 19,000 construction and industry-related firms. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 72 chapters help members win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. Visit us at www.abc.org.