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Jessica Gillette

ABC-VA’s Sherrie Dickerson Honored as Registered Apprenticeship Ambassador at DOLI’s 85th Anniversary Celebration

by | Feb 13, 2023 | Apprenticeship, News

Sherrie Dickerson

Sherrie Dickerson, ABC-VA Education Coordinator

ABC-VA is proud to announce Education Coordinator, Sherrie Dickerson, has been honored as a Registered Apprenticeship Ambassador.

The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry celebrated 85 years of Registered Apprenticeship on Thursday, January 26, 2023. Included in the celebration were awards for Outstanding Apprentices, Apprenticeship Ambassadors, Service Awards, and High-Volume Sponsors.

ABC-VA’s own Apprenticeship Director, Sherrie Dickerson, was honored as a Registered Apprenticeship Ambassador. Sherrie was selected because of her passion and energies to help individuals, families, neighborhoods, towns, and the Commonwealth. Since her arrival with ABC-VA in March of 2020, Sherrie has been a pillar of strength and leadership of the programs in Richmond, managing related instruction for over 500 apprentices each year in Central Virginia. In a unique environment, Sherrie arrives before classes begin at 7 am each morning and does not stop until she knows that all of her students and instructors have been taken care of.

In 2022, Sherrie fielded two competitors in ABC National’s Craft Competition with the HVAC competitor bringing home the Silver Medal. In 2023, she will send five competitors to the NCC. Sherrie takes time each day to talk to students and instructors personally about their lives inside and outside of the classroom. She communicates with employers on a regular basis to keep them abreast of what is happening in the classroom to make sure their instruction there is reinforced on the job. She does it all with a smile because she is truly proud of them and wants everyone to succeed.

Several ABC-VA members were also recognized for their apprenticeship accomplishments and service awards. Honorees included were:

M.C. Dean, Inc., celebrating 71 years as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor and having the Largest Registered Apprenticeship Program in the Region (Loudoun County).  Additionally, Erin May was honored as a Registered Apprenticeship Ambassador
Carter Machinery, celebrating 57 years as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor and having the Largest Registered Apprenticeship Program in the Region (Hanover County)
Atlantic Constructors, Inc., celebrating 67 years as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor. On hand to receive this award were Terrence Kerner, Heather Tippett, and Bill Cooper
Bay Electric Company, celebrating 54 years as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor
BUHL Electric Co., celebrating 51 years as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor

We thank Sherrie and these special ABC-VA members for their dedication and commitment to our workforce.

As Commissioner Gary Pan stated, “Registered Apprenticeship was first established in Virginia with the signing of the Virginia Apprenticeship Act in 1938. It has been a training system that produces highly skilled workers to meet the demands of employers competing in a global economy, through a combination of on-the-job training and related technical instruction.  It is a ‘win-win’ approach to workforce development for employers and employees, while rebuilding the Virginia Economy. Registered Apprenticeship is an ideal model for employers to develop their current and future workforce by providing on-the-job training and selecting occupation specific Related Technical Instruction.”

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Terrence Kerner Awarded Member of the Year (2022)

by | Jan 30, 2023 | News

Member Of The Year Terrence Kerner, ACI Builds With Doug

Doug Peterson (left), 2022 ABC-VA Chairman with Terrence Kerner, 2022 ABC-VA Member of the Year

Associated Builders & Contractors – Virginia Chapter (ABC-VA), is pleased to announce our Member of the Year for 2022: Terrence Kerner, President of Atlantic Constructors, Inc. (ACI)!

This honor is bestowed upon a member each year that shows commitment to not only ABC-VA, but to the industry, throughout his/her career.

Terrence is the epitome of generosity when it comes to serving not only within his company but also the communities in and around where ACI builds. He has been actively involved with ABC for over 20 years, serving in a leadership role in Central Virginia committees and for the ABC-VA Board of Directors, where he currently serves on the Executive Committee as Second Vice Chair.

He has dedicated himself to developing future leaders in the industry, within his own company, and with other member companies – serving as a liaison and a recruiter in getting members engaged and involved.  He has been a champion for apprenticeship efforts in Richmond, never hesitating to make sure our classrooms are staffed with instructors and our lab stocked with special tools and supplies. He contributes to the ABC Political Action Committee (PAC) to help support the association’s merit-shop philosophy and pro-business endeavors. He has also dedicated countless resources to ABC networking and social events and encourages others within ACI to do the same.

He is supported in his efforts by his wife, Kelly, his children, and his friends, colleagues, and employees at ACI.

Outside of ABC, Terrence is equally as passionate about making the world a better place. He is heavily involved in many charitable and community ventures, including but certainly not limited to, Conexus for Children’s Vision and American Heart Association.

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Member Of The Year Terrence Kerner, ACI Builds

L to R: JT East, Terrence Kerner, Evan Shriver, Hal Hamner (ACI team)

ABC-VA Apprentice Brady Woodel Pens Op-Ed on Career in Construction

ABC-VA Apprentice Brady Woodel Pens Op-Ed on Career in Construction

by | Jan 26, 2023 | Apprenticeship, News

Brady FoxBrady Woodel is an inspirational craft professional that has spoken candidly many times about his choice to make a career in construction instead of attend a traditional four-year university. Our chapter is proud to say he is a fourth-year apprentice in our Richmond training program. Brady currently works for ColonialWebb Contractors in Richmond, VA.

In the op-ed, Brady talks about choosing construction over college: “By the time I become a licensed professional, I’ll have just as much in earnings as I would have in debt from a college degree.”

Brady also shares that the highlight of his career so far is medaling in ABC’s 2022 National Craft Championships. Brady’s perspective is one of the countless inspiring stories we hear from the competitors each year, and the 2023 competitors will be no exception.

Read Brady’s op-ed here!