The ABC-VA Hampton Roads region held its annual craft competitions for the Electrical, HVAC and Plumbing apprenticeship training programs on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at their training facility in Norfolk, VA. This year was the first time holding an in-house plumbing competition in Hampton Roads! ABC-VA stands with immense pride, applauding the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts exhibited by each competitor. Their relentless commitment and hard work paved the way for a competition year that will be remembered for its exceptional standards and remarkable achievements.
Four skilled competitors in Electrical and Plumbing, and three in HVAC showcased their expertise, competing for the chance to represent their craft at the ABC National Craft Championships in Kissimmee, Florida, in March 2024. The apprentices competed in a compilation of an assigned, hands-on project, as well as a written exam.
Top Performers: Congratulations to the outstanding winners:
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- Electrical Competition: 🏅 Brent Coulter, Tri-Star Electric, Inc.
• Electrical Second Place: Anthony Rexach, J.C. Driskill, Inc.
• Electrical Third Place: Christian Stewart, REW Corporation
• Electrical Fourth Place: Noah Dulaney, Power Electric - HVAC Competition: 🏅 Nicholas Rodriguez, ColonialWebb Contractors
• HVAC Second Place: Benjamin Stogsdill, CST Mechanical, Inc.
• HVAC Third Place: Hunter Corbitt, Thermo-Trol Systems - Plumbing Competition: 🏅 Garrett Wallace, Southeastern Mechanical, Inc.
• Plumbing Second Place: Tyler Haskett, Southeastern Mechanical, Inc,
• Plumbing Third Place: Benjamin Stewart, ColonialWebb Contractors
• Plumbing Fourth Place: Trent Mayes, DAVCON, Inc.
- Electrical Competition: 🏅 Brent Coulter, Tri-Star Electric, Inc.
Gratitude to Instructors and Judges: The entire competition is made possible by our dedicated instructors and judges. We extend a heartfelt thank you to the following:
- Instructors: [Electrical] Tim Cruise, Bill Johnson; [HVAC] Brian Gesick, Mike Gesick, Tom Gesick; [Plumbing] Bill Carley and Brandon Carley
- Judges: Zach Leitner, REW Corporation; Tim Cruise, Power Electric; Art Shauchuk, HVAC Graduate; Tom Gesick, MTS Refrigeration; Mike Gesick, MTS Refrigeration; Brandon Carley, Southeastern Mechanical, Inc.; Brian Ryder, Southeastern Mechanical, Inc.; Marshal Brown, Southeastern Mechanical, Inc.
Sponsors Make It Happen: A big shout-out to our generous sponsors: Ferguson, MTS Refrigeration, and Southeastern Mechanical, Inc., for contributing the materials that made these competitions possible. Your support fuels the future of craftsmanship!
Here’s to a future shaped by the skilled hands and innovative minds of these remarkable apprentices! Please reach out to Jamie Carrow, Member Services & Education Director, with any questions about our apprenticeship training programs.