Courtesy photo

Over 200 people met at the Island Resort and Casino in Harris on Saturday, March 9, for the eighth annual Upper Peninsula Apprentice of the Year recognition banquet. The winner of this year’s award was Dejian Dean, IBEW Local 906. Finalists were Joe Beaudry, IBEW Local 906 and Ethan Ledford, Carpenter/Millwright Local 1510. This event was organized and hosted by the Upper Peninsula Construction Council (UPCC) to recognize outstanding apprentices in the U.P. construction industry. The selection panel was made up of 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, WE Energies. There were 18 apprentices nominated by the construction trades that represent construction workers across the Upper Peninsula.