November 12, 2010
Crane Hot Line, published by Maximum Capacity Media LLC, Fort Dodge, Iowa, named the industry’s Top Trainers in its third annual recognition of corporate and professional trainers. The winners are featured in the November 2010 issue. Nominees represented a range of businesses—from crane rental companies and contractors to companies working in nuclear, space, petrochemical, and manufacturing industries. The finalists were frequently described by their nominators as passionate, caring mentors with years of hands-on experience.
Nominations were made by individuals who had received training from the candidate, by the trainer’s supervisor, or by an industry colleague. Nominations were accompanied by an essay describing why the nominee should be considered.
Nominees were evaluated by the Crane Hot Line staff and by the 2009 Top Trainers for their use of innovative or hands-on instruction; encouragement of peer or corporate accountability on the job; if their training demonstrated evidence of success; and their overall positive impact on the industry.
Kirk Ward, corporate safety director for ALL Erection & Crane Rental, Cleveland, Ohio, has been named the 2010 Corporate Top Trainer. Ward was nominated by Michael Liptak, president of ALL Erection, for positively affecting the entire corporate culture of the company.
In the Professional category, Crane Hot Line recognizes John Augustine, owner, inspector, and instructor for Sylvan Enterprises, Kingston, Tenn. This is the second year Augustine made it into the finalists cut. He was nominated by multiple former students and managers of operators, who described him as dedicated, caring, and his ability to teach individuals with all levels of prior experience.
Each of the Top Trainers will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Scholarships may be used by recipients to further their own industry knowledge or may be awarded in their name to a student of their choice. Scholarships are made possible by the 2010 Top Trainer sponsors, which included Platinum Sponsor Manitex.
Those earning Honorable Mention in their respective categories are:
Corporate
• Paul Fabish, AREVA NP Inc., Lynchburg, Va.
• John Chamberlin and Jason Pogar, United Space Alliance, Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
• Roy Bolton II, Cianbro Corp., Pittsfield, Maine
Professional
• Bill Schofield, Crane Institute of America, Sanford, Fla.
• Timm Archer, Professional Crane Inspections, Liberty Lake, Wash.
Look for a full review of the Top Trainers and Honorable Mention finalists in the November 2010 issue of Crane Hot Line.