Industry Honors the People Who Build Cleveland

On Aug 11, 2022 the Annual Building Excellence Awards took place at Windows on the River. With over 400 in attendance, the event honored the amazing people who construct our city’s skyline and other building projects across Greater Cleveland.  

Presenting sponsors are CEA, Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council, Mechanical and Plumbing Industry Council, National Electrical Contractors Association - Cleveland Chapter, Northern Ohio Painting & Taping Contractors Association, and Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning National Association - Cleveland Chapter.  

The awards ceremony recognizes the excellent work of local tradesmen and tradeswomen in addition to the contractors and companies who employ them.  

Award categories for projects include new construction over $25 million, new construction between $10 and $25 million, new construction under $10 million, renovation construction over $10 million and renovation construction under $10 million completed between Jan. 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2021. Apprentices of the Year and Craftsmanship Awards for every trade are also celebrated.  

Apprentice of the Year

• Joseph Chick - Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers
• Inmer "Gio" Colocho Cruz - UBC - Carpenters (IKORCC)
• Kaleb Abfall - Cement Masons Local 404
• Liam Harris - Building Laborers' Local 310
• James Culbreath - Drywall Finisher IUPAT Local 505
• Zach Slone - Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers
• Mark Sekerak - UBC - Floor Coverer (IKORCC)
• Dexter Moran Jr - Glaziers IUPAT Local 181
• Ricardo J. Martemus - Heat and Frost Insulators Local 3
• Eliot Standen - Iron Workers local 17
• Jaret Lilly - UBC - Millwright (IKORCC)
• Robert Moore III - International Union of Operating Engineers Local 18
• Tanya Jackson  - Commercial Painter and Decorator IUPAT Local 707
• Andrew Greenhill - OPCMIA Local 526
• Jennifer Reed - Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers
• Carlos Navarro - Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 33 
• Timothy Ebel - Pipefitters Local 120

Craftsmanship Award Winners

• Andy Drabish  - Sonny's Carwash Chemistry - Plumbers Local 55
• Daniel Mormile - The Lumen at Playhouse Square - Carpenters (IKORCC)
• Dennis Karaba - CRU Restaurant - Roofers Local 44
• John Connell - Flexjet - Iron Workers Local 17
• Paul Sopko - Aqua Ohio - Carpenters (IKORCC)
• Paul Cordell - Flats at East Bank Apartments
• Duke Rieth - Greater Cleveland Food Bank - Building Laborers' Local 310
• Jason Anderson - Hogrefe Cooke Building - Carpenters (IKORCC)
• Mike Collins - Cleveland Heights/University Heights School District - Bricklayers Local 5
• John Wedow - CRU Restaurant - Sheet Metal Workers Local 33
• Matthew Miksa - The Lumen at Playhouse Square - Tile Layers Local 36
• Rick Jones - Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center - Plumbers Local 55
• Mike LiPuma - Cleveland Metroparks Zoo - Operating Engineers Local 18
• Gabe Klemola - St. Paschal Church - Roofers Local 44
• Kyle Hofer - Wild Asia at the Akron Zoo - Carpenters (IKORCC)
• Josh Volek - Sawmill Creek Resort - Sheet Metal Workers Local 33

Building Excellence Award Winners

• The Great Lakes Construction Co. - Wendy Park Pedestrian Bridge - New Construction Under $10 Million
• Warren Roofing & Insulating Co. - CRU Restaurant - New Construction Under $10 Million
• Turner Construction Company - Playhouse Square Connor Palace - Renovation Construction Under $10 Million
• Turner Construction Company - Shaker Heights Public Library - Renovation Construction Under $10 Million
• Gilbane Building Company - Shaker Heights City School District - Fernway - Renovation Construction Over $10 Million
• The Albert M. Higley Co. - Great Lakes Cheese Company Headquarters - New Construction Between $10 and $25 Million
• Turner Construction Company - Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center - New Construction Over $25 Million
• Marous Brothers Construction - Ohio CAT Perrysburg - New Construction Over $25 Million
• Turner Construction Company - Case Western Reserve University Maltz Performing Center - New Construction Over $25 Million
  All of the great projects were showcased through video.  

For a full list of winners, visit www.clevelandcraftsmanship.com