Michael Arledge, a journeyman electrician for Greiner Electric, Littleton, has won the Associated Builders and Contractors’ 2013 Craft Professional of the Year. The award was presented May 3 during ABC’s 21st Century Workforce Development Conference in Birmingham, Ala.

Photo courtesy of ABC
From left: Ed Rojeck, Tradesmen International; Greiner Electrics Michael Arledge, winner of ABCs Craft Professional of the Year Award; and 2013 ABC National Chairman Greg Hoberock.

Each year ABC presents the Craft Professional of the Year award to a construction craft professional who excels in his or her field, maintains a lifelong commitment to training and upholds the merit-shop philosophy.

Arledge has been in the construction industry since 1996 and once owned a framing company in Denver. Nine years later, he changed crafts and became an electrician, working as an apprentice for several electrical contractors. Today, Arledge is a lead journeyman with Greiner Electric. He is a member of the company’s safety committee and teaches first-year NCCER electrical apprentices and core-curriculum classes at the Construction Industry Training Council in Denver.

“Mike has an unrivaled passion for his job and for passing along what he has learned to the next generation by mentoring new trainees and workers,” said 2013 ABC National Chairman Greg Hoberock, CEO of hth cos. inc., Union, Mo. “His humble attitude and dedication to safety, quality and innovation make him the perfect choice as the 2013 Craft Professional of the Year.”

As part of his award, Arledge received a fill-sized pickup truck from Tradesmen International.

The criteria upon which candidates were judged included: the candidate’s mastery of job-related skills, jobsite and safety performance record, leadership, professionalism, community and industry service, personal motivation, credentials, commitment to the merit-shop construction philosophy and recognition by others for the candidate’s excellence in craft skills and teamwork to complete projects successfully.