- kmccomb
Branden Dormire of Local 169 Wins the 2017 Apprentice of the Year Competition

Ryan Schroeder of Local 85 takes second, Great Lakes wins the Team Award
The 30th Annual Apprentice of the Year Competition was held at Boilermakers Local 101 in Denver, CO from August 21-22, 2017. Branden Dormire of Local 169 took first place, with Ryan Schroeder of Local 85 coming in second. Dormire and Schroeder took home the Team Award for the Great Lakes Region.
The rigorous, two-day competition covers both written and practical skills, including tests four years of related studies materials, OSHA/Safety, blueprints, rigging, welding, general knowledge, Boilermaker skills, and blocks. Two contestants from each region represented their areas after placing first or second in their regional competitions. This year’s competitors were:
Great Lakes Area: Branden Dormire, Local 169 & Ryan Schoeder, Local 85
Northeast: James Hynes, Local 154 & Michael Mansbart, Local 5, Zone 5
Southern States: Chance Ellison, Local 108 & Charles Kouns, Local 40
Western States: Alfredo Leyva, Local 92 & Craig Rose, Local 101
Winners were announced at an Awards Ceremony held on Thursday, August 24, 2017. The ceremony was hosted by International Vice President Larry McManamon Sr. and BNAP National Coordinator Mark Wertz.
Two judges (one representing the Union, and one representing the Employers)from every area and the NTD committed their time and talents to this event, and this competition would not be possible without their efforts. This year’s judges included:
Lead Judge:
Mike Stanton, Boilermakers Local 154
Judges:
Shon Almond, National Transient Division
Tim Atencio, Boilermakers Local 101
John Cammuso, Babcock Power
Monte Causey, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
Brian Dowden, Sterling Boiler & Mechanical
Chuck Harvey, Babcock & Wilcox
Ron Mayor, AP Com/GE
James Paglia, Boilermakers Local 28
Jimmy R. Tatom, CB&I;
Nick Tokarz, Boilermakers Local 374
Special thanks to the following for all their help leading up to the competition:
Tim Ruth, Business Manager, Boilermakers Local 101
Jim Wanser, Instructor, Boilermakers Local 101
Justin Beals, Boilermakers Local 101
John Cammuso, Babcock Power
Collin Keisling, Western States Apprenticeship Coordinator
Jason Dupuis, Northeast Apprenticeship Administrator
Stephen Murphy, Northeast Apprenticeship Coordinator
Eric Olson, Southern States Apprentice Director
Larry McManamon Jr., Great Lakes Area Apprenticeship Coordinator
Charles Jones, Boilermakers Historical Preservation Department
Dave Stewart, Boilermakers Historical Preservation Department
Mallory Smith, Boilermakers Historical Preservation Department
Mary Echols, Boilermaker Reporter