Stowe Carpenter Places In National Craft Competition

From Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.:

With hammer swinging, Gregory Patton of Stowe last month competed against carpenters from across the country and earned third place in residential/commercial carpentry in the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Craft Championship.

“I really appreciated the chance to participate in this year's craft competition and I am very grateful to my employer, Zebby Sulecki, for this opportunity,” said Patton. “It was a great experience and I credit the ABC Apprenticeship Trust and my on the job training for developing my skills.”

During the two-day event in San Antonio, competitors first took an intense, two-hour written exam and then competed in daylong hands-on practical performance tests in their craft. In addition to Patton’s category, competitions were held for residential/commercial electrical; commercial/industrial electrical; fire sprinkler; HVAC; insulation; millwright/industrial maintenance mechanic; pipe fitting; plumbing; sheet metal; pipe welding; and structural welding. Shane Mills representing Klover Contracting, of Quakertown, also competed in carpentry and Brian Menszak from Universal Electrical Service, of Souderton, competed in the electrical category.

Patton works full-time as a carpenter at Zebby Sulecki, Inc., a Newtown Square-based company that excels at painting, wall-covering, acoustics and drywall. He attended classes one day per week at ABC Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter’s Apprenticeship Trust Center in Harleysville. The Trust’s curriculum is a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on learning that prepares students to be journey-level craft workers.

“Greg is a talented craftsman and a valuable part of our team,” said Zebby Sulecki, president of Zebby Sulecki, Inc. “We are proud of his accomplishment.”

The National Craft Championships was developed in 1987 to help celebrate and recognize craft training in construction careers. Each year, the competition draws some of the nation’s most talented craftspeople and highlights the important role that craft skills training plays in the construction industry. The National Craft Championships Committee, which is composed of leading merit shop construction firms, plans all year for the two-day competition.

About the organization:

ABC Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter represents more than 15,000 Merit construction employees who work for its more than 500 member companies. It was founded on the shared belief that construction projects should be awarded on merit to the most qualified and responsible low bidders. Nationally Associated Builders and Contractors is comprised of 74 chapters representing more than 23,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms with nearly two million employees. Learn more about ABC Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter at abceastpa.org.