UP Construction Council recognizes top apprentices

MARQUETTE -- A Felch man was among the finalists for the seventh annual Upper Peninsula Apprentice of the Year award from the Upper Peninsula Construction Council.

Approximately 180 people met March 10 at the Don H. Bottum University Center of Northern Michigan University for the UPCC recognition banquet.

The winner of this year's award was Joseph Prusi of Negaunee, an apprentice member of Operating Engineers Local 324.

The other two finalists were Kyle Schoen of Felch Township, a member of Iron Workers Local 8, and John Soper III of Escanaba, with Carpenter/Millwright Local 1510.

They were chosen from among 16 nominees and then five top scorers interviewed to determine the three finalists, said Tony Retaskie, executive director of the UPCC.

"All of the scoring was very, very close," Retaskie said of the final three.

Schoen, he added, is building his own home.

This event was organized and hosted by the Upper Peninsula Construction Council to recognize outstanding apprentices in the U.P. construction industry.

The finalists were selected by a panel that included James Ebli, president, Gundlach Champion, Inc.; Deborah Veiht, superintendent, Marquette Alger RESA; Roxanne Daust, president and COO, Range Bank; Don Maki, commissioner, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; and Mike Fornetti, retired from Verso Corp.

The UPCC also has established a new scholarship in honor of 23-year-old Zach Johnson, a carpenter apprentice from Carpenters and Millwrights Local 1510 who died in a Marquette house fire Jan. 8 along with 22-year-old Krista Urbanc of Norway.

The money will be used to help any apprentice who might be struggling with the expenses of starting out in a trade, such as acquiring tools or other needed gear, or perhaps dealing with an injury, Retaskie said.

To honor him, the Upper Peninsula Construction Council has begun a scholarship in Zach's name.

The UPCC already has donated $500 for the first two $250 scholarships, and anticipate other contributions to the fund. They hope to award the first scholarship within the year.