The winner of the 2015 Junior Tradesmen of the Year award was announced at the May General Membership Luncheon meeting. This year’s award went to Lamar Brooks with MHI Ship Repair & Services.
This year’s awardee is mature beyond his years, and in his 4 ½ years, has risen through the ranks by testing and demonstrating the necessary proficiency to go from Welder Helper to become a Welder First Class. Lamar has one of the lowest reject rates in the shop. He volunteers for every extra job available, and has the highest work attendance of anyone in the shop, all while putting himself through college taking night courses at TCC. Lamar has a completely unblemished safety record. He is eager to share his knowledge with those less experienced. Because of his enthusiasm and constant coaching and mentoring, he has influenced other tradesmen from other shops to join the Weld Shop. Larmar's supervisors all agree that he exhibits quiet leadership by example and is extremely hard-working and talented.
VSRF also recognized the following nominees for Junior Tradesman of the Year:
- Emmanuel Ramos Montalvo, Advanced Integrated Technologies, LLC
- Jose Orta-Torres, AMSEC LLC
- Steven Yewcic, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair
- Michael Gerdes, Coastal Services
- Joe Hardner, Epsilon Systems Solutions, Inc.
- Derek Grimshaw, Marine Specialty Painting
- Shallah Allah, NSC Technologies, Inc.
- Mathew Epperson, Oceaneering LLC
- Bernard Burnham, Standard Calibrations, Inc.
- Mark Oakley, Jr., Tecnico Corporation
All of the nominees received a certificate recognizing their significant contribution to their trade, $25 gift certificates and two NASCAR Langley Speedway free admission tickets.
Lamar was recognized at the Propeller Club, Port of Norfolk's National Maritime Day reception on May 21 at the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center in downtown Norfolk.
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