CLEARWATER, FL., March 29th, 2019 – Tyler Patch of Piper Fire Protection won the silver medal in the fire sprinkler category at Associated Builders and Contractors’ 32nd annual National Craft Championships. Patch was presented with the award at ABC’s Careers in Construction Awards ceremony March 28 at the conclusion of ABC Convention 2019 in Long Beach, California.
The NCC featured a field of 168 craft professionals competing for top honors in 14 competitions representing 12 crafts, from electrical and plumbing to carpentry and welding, as well as a team competition with journey-level competitors from four different crafts working to complete a joint project. The competition includes a two-hour written exam and a daylong, hands-on practical performance test.
“Tyler did a fantastic job representing us at the ABC Craft Championship this year. He finished his project ahead of the other competitors and did remarkable on the practical as well. I am so proud to have so many work class craftsmen working at our company,” says Piper Fire Protection’s president and CEO, Chris Johnson.
Tyler Patch has been an employee for five years, since he was only 18 years old. He started in the sprinkler construction department as an apprentice, even enrolling in the journeyman program but found his way to the suppression department permanently where he has been for the past three years. He stayed in school for fire sprinklers due to his high test scores and while on that path, the opportunity for him to take the qualification exam for another competition fell in his lap. He won the bronze medal in that competition which he used as a training opportunity before competing in the ABC National Craft Championship.
When he isn’t working, Tyler spends his time with his fiancé Baylie and they are currently planning their 2020 wedding in their newly purchased home.