Mark Kerkaert from Local 647 (Minneapolis) took home the top honor at the U.S. 2024 Apprentice of the Year Competition held at Local 26 (Savannah, Georgia) Aug. 5 to 8. Coming in as this year’s runner-up was Galin Favors from Local 108 (Birmingham, Alabama). Team honors went to the Great Lakes duo of Christopher Lund and Kerkaert. Winners were announced at a dinner in Kansas City on Sept. 19.— Nov 1
The Maritime Administration and Philly Shipyard have christened the Patriot State, the second National Security Multi-Mission Vessel and the new training ship for Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Local 19 Boilermakers helped build the 160-meter multipurpose vessel, which can carry up to 8,500 tons of cargo. The ship was designed for both maritime training and disaster relief missions and features a hospital, helipad and roll-on/roll-off capability for up to 1,000 people. — Oct 24
In partnership with the Boilermakers union, the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance raised more than $120,000 in the annual USA Boilermakers Kansas City Sporting Clays Shoot and hosted more than 60 youths at a Boilermakers Get Youth Outdoors Day in separate events this past September.— Oct 24
Southeast Area recruiter Lee Aurand-Hosey and a Lincoln Electric representative worked together to secure a significant donation for the welding program at Fannin County High School in Blue Ridge, Georgia. After Aurand-Hosey brought the issue to the attention of Lincoln Electric, the company donated a state-of-the-art, multi-process welding machine to the high school’s welding program.— Oct 22
Earl Pote, a Local 1 Boilermaker from Chicago, discovered a fascination for pogo sticks at age 12, after seeing one at a local carnival. Decades later, his passion and dedication have secured him the 2024 Tech Pogo Stick World Championship, earned at the Pogo World Championships in Pittsburgh last summer. He previously won gold in Tech in 2009 and 2010 and claimed silver in 2011, despite competing with a broken foot. — Oct 16
