I can’t thank Local 26 enough for hosting these past two years. Johnathon Bates, Herman Gibbs and their team run a first-class training center that their members should be proud of.
2025 Apprentice of the Year Competition
Nathaniel Loyd from Local 108 (Birmingham, Alabama) captured the top honor at the 2025 Apprentice of the Year Competition held at Local 26 (Savannah, Georgia) Aug. 11 – 14. Team honors went to the Great Lakes duo of Cody Rasmussen from L-107 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and Michael Baer from L-374 (Hobart, Indiana).
In addition to Loyd, and the Great Lakes team of Rasmussen and Baer, other competitors included Kyle Brickey, Local 242 (Spokane, Washington); Andrew Bronson, Local 101 (Denver); Jacob Pappada, Local 154 (Pittsburgh); Harrison Johnson, Local 237 (Hartford, Connecticut) and Jeffery Rawson, Local 667 (Charleston, West Virginia).
National Apprenticeship Coordinator Mark Wertz thanked Local 26 and their entire staff for facilitating the competition. “I can’t thank Local 26 enough for hosting these past two years,” said Wertz. “Johnathon Bates, Herman Gibbs and their team run a first-class training center their members should be proud of.”
To reach the national competition, sponsored by the Boilermaker National Apprenticeship Program, contestants had to finish in the winner or runner-up spot in their respective area competitions.
In addition to the hands-on competition, candidates competed on a written exam covering their four years of related studies and on-the-job-training. The hands-on portion included a buddy rigging exercise, tube rolling, knot tying, hand signals, reeving and equipment use, buddy welding and cutting. Judges scored contestants on blueprint reading, safety, overall knowledge and demonstrated skills.
This year the contest included a team layout project—a simple box with a penetration they had to layout using GMAW and SMAW welding processes. Each team was given materials and a blueprint for the project. Once it was assembled and seal welded, judges hydro tested the boxes. Wertz said the teams worked well and all completed the project under the four-hour time limit.
“This group of apprentices we had this year not only demonstrated their high-level skill and Boilermaker knowledge but also their pride in representing the craft,” Wertz said.
Judges for the event included: Wertz; Stephen Murphy, NEEAC; Jason Hettel, GLABAP; Carey Kowalski, GLABAP; Eric Olsen, SAJAC; Collin Keisling, WSJAC; lead judge Michael Stanton, L-154 (Pittsburgh); assistant lead judge Jason Dupuis, NEAAC; Alfredo Leyva, L-92 (Los Angeles); James Jordan, L-13 (Philadelphia); Dylan Rangeloff, L-647 (Minneapolis); Mark Vandiver, IBB, retired; Myron Richardson, Chattanooga Boiler and Tank; Mike Nelson, Central Maintenance & Welding; James Paglia, Fluor Constructors and Mitch Von Bank, Burnn Boiler & Maintenance.
