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Craft Competitor Profiles
craft competitor profiles MEET THE ABC PELICAN CRAFT PROFESSIONALS WHO WOULD HAVE REPRESENTED US AT THE 2020 CRAFT CHAMPIONSHIPS APRIL 2020, LOUISIANA
Editor’s Note: Keeping safety and health at the forefront of all we do at ABC Pelican, shortly before this newsletter was published, contractors determined it was not appropriate to send competitors to the rescheduled competition in August because of COVID-19. We are saddened that this year’s competitors could not represent ABC Pelican in Nashville, but we look forward to future competitions.
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While we’ve all had to wait a little longer for the annual national convention, our craft competitors have taken advantage of those extra months to fine tune their skills in electrical, instrumentation, millwright, pipefitting and welding as they prepare for the postponed 2020 National Craft Championship in Nashville in August.
Lionel Beckett
These craft professionals qualified for the National Craft Championship by competing with about 40 others in ABC Pelican’s craft competition back in December 2019. These talented individuals exemplify the best of the best in the industry across our state.
ABC Pelican staff caught up with these craft professionals to learn more about who they are, how they are preparing for the competition and why they chose a career in construction. Get to know the stories behind who will be representing our chapter on the national stage next month.
Q: What do you look forward to about representing ABC Pelican in Nashville? A: I look forward to meeting new people and enjoying myself no matter the outcome. And, of course, I look forward to doing my best.
Q: What are you nervous about? A: Honestly, everything makes me nervous. But I know I can do it, so I’ll just get there and get the job done and do it safe.
Q: What would it mean to you if you placed? A: It would mean so much more than words can explain. Placing is something you work hard for each and every day. I hope to CONTINUED ON PAGE 42
Justin Blanchard
Trey Hebert
craft competitor profiles CONTinued make ABC Pelican and Turner proud. A: It would mean a lot to me to earn this for Turner Q: What do you think sets you apart? A: Honestly, no idea. I would say I try to remember the Q: What do you think sets you apart? small things. That seems to get you in the end. I also A: All of the hard work that I have put in to becoming a think I do well at prioritizing safety first. good welder and all of the people who are pushing me Justin Blanchard – Instrument Fitting – the root in at pipe welding.
ISC Constructors
Q: Why did you choose to pursue a career in Zeke Mahaffey – Instrument Fitting – construction and specifically instrument fitting? ISC Constructors A: I’ve always been good with my hands - my dad Q: Why did you choose to pursue a career in was a mechanic and taught me how to fix the vehicles construction and specifically instrument fitting? around the house. I also took shop classes in high A: Construction was my first job. I had some school like wood working and welding, and I fell experience with the residential electrical field into electrical, first residential, then commercial and and family friends helped get a job in residential eventually industrial. The industrial field is where I construction. Working with my hands and learning found out about instrument techs and the work they several new things I always had a knack for. Eventually do, which is working with small but very important I became a stand-alone craft professional and I could electronics. I also learned the technical skills that goes have started my own company, but I wanted to learn with the trade, which really intrigued me to learn more more. I wanted to do something more challenging. and pursue it as a career. My father worked as an analyzer technician and Q: What advice would you give to others who are seemed complicated enough to keep my interest and I considering a craft as a career? had a network to get me there quickly. A: Considering a craft is a great idea and can lead to great opportunities. The field is lacking in good, Q: What advice would you give to others who are skilled craft professionals and there will always be an considering a craft as a career? opportunity to learn and improve in whatever craft you A: Go for it. If you enjoy working with your hands and decide to pick up. learning new things, then it’s absolutely for you. First, Q: What goals and dreams would you like to done with your own hands, you’ll love it. Second, it accomplish in your future in the workforce? pays fairly well and there are lots of other benefits. A: I would like to be hired by a local plant that helps out the community, and also hone my skills in the Q: What goals and dreams would you like to instrument trade to be the best tech I can be. accomplish in your future in the workforce? Trey Hebert – Welding – Turner Industries Group trade. I’d like to be able to answer any question that Q: What do you look forward to? could be asked. I just love to learn. A: I look forward to experiencing all that this because of everything this company has done for me. to do my best! I also know I am pretty good at putting recommended I try my hand at instrumentation. It if you like seeing the progress and the work you’ve A: I’d like just to know as much as I can about the great competition has to offer and seeing all of the Gavin Oldham – Millwright – Turner Industries companies coming together to compete. Group Q: What do you look forward to most? Is there Q: What are you nervous about? anything that makes you nervous? A: I’m nervous about how many people will be A: It is an honor to represent ABC Pelican in this competing in the competition. national competition, and I couldn’t be more thankful for this privilege that ABC Pelican and Turner Q: What would it mean to you if you placed? Industries have given me. I look forward to placing and
craft competitor profiles CONTinued meeting new faces. I am nervous about the possibility of because there is something out there for everyone. losing focus or encountering the unexpected. Networking is more important than many realize. And Q: What would it mean to you if you placed? A: If I place in the millwright competition, it would put Q: What goals and dreams would you like to accomplish unlimited opportunities in front of me. in your future in the workforce? Q: What do you think sets you apart from other experience and knowledge as I can. Enough experience competitors? Anything you consider yourself and knowledge to be in a position of training and exceptionally good at? preparing the next generation of Millwrights in the latter A: The thing that separates me from other competitors years of my career. But before that, I’d like to work is my personality and my ability to work good under outside the country. Travel some, see what it’s like in pressure. I tune out the noise and focus on what I need to different parts of the world. do.
Seth Oubre – Electrical – EP Breaux Electrical
Q: Why did you choose to pursue a career in construction and specifically electrical? A: I’m a third-generation electrical worker; I work with my dad and my grandfather for the same company. Actually, I left college for this line of work.
Q: What advice would you give to others who are considering a craft as a career? A: My advice is that trades will never be out of demand. Someone will always need to turn on the lights and make sure the sink is running, and something will always need to be built or fixed.
Q: What goals and dreams would you like to accomplish in your future in the workforce? A: In the future, I’d like to be able to say I was one of the best to do this job. I take pride in most of my work.
Q: Why did you choose to pursue a career in construction and specifically millwright? A: I chose to become a millwright because I enjoy working with my hands. This came from my history of auto mechanics as both a hobby and career. I was in search for a mechanical-based career that would fulfill my passion while separating my hobbies.
Q: What advice would you give to others who are considering a craft as a career? A: My advice would be this: do your research on multiple crafts, not just one. Finding something you enjoy doing in this industry will not be a problem finally, you’ll never regret the experience. A: Honestly, I’d just like to accomplish gaining as much
Gavin Oldham
Seth Oubre
