LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. — Klein Tools announced Eric Simmons as the winner of its annual Electrician of the Year award. Simmons will receive $2,500 a year in free Klein Tools products for 10 years, totaling $25,000 worth of premium-quality, professional-grade hand tools. Simmons has been an electrician for more than 20 years and is currently licensed as a master electrician, electrical contractor or electrical administrator in 15 states. Currently, he resides in Las Vegas, Nevada where he works for one of the largest electrical contractors in the nation as a senior project manager.
“It’s awesome to be selected as Klein Tools’ Electrician of the Year because of all they do highlighting professionals in the industry,” said Simmons. “When I found out I won the region I started thinking about ways to set up a tool scholarship to help apprentices in my area get a jump start on the initial investment needed to enter the field. I’m happy to be able to do that with this donation so they have the right tools to do the right job.”
Simmons was selected from more than 350 applicants and is recognized for his professional achievement, his dedication to safety and contributions to his local community. He dedicates a significant amount of time to learn and apply proper safety practices as well as teaches others about safety. He is certified by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) as both a Safety Trained Supervisor-Construction (STS-C) and as a Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST). He is also an authorized OSHA outreach trainer for construction, MSHA Surface Miner Safety Trainer and an American Heart Association First Aid/CPR/AED instructor.
In his free time, Simmons volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and the Associated Builders and Contractors apprenticeship program, where he is an instructor and guest speaker. And, he has led several collection drives for Street Teens, a nonprofit organization that helps homeless and at risk teens in the Las Vegas area.
“Klein Tools congratulates Eric for his commitment to learning his craft, focusing on safety and improving his community,” said Mark Klein, president of Klein Tools. “Each year we are amazed at the caliber of the applicants for this program and Eric is certainly no exception. He embodies everything we look for in the Electrician of the Year and we applaud his great work on and off the job site.”
The runner-up, Bill Budz of Schaumburg, Illinois, receives a one-time prize of $1,250 in Klein Tools products; John Ellington of Chatfield, Texas wins $1,000 for third place; John Levesque of Adams, Massachusetts, Randall Summers of Arthurdale, West Virginia, and Shelby Kytola of Arthurdale, West Virginia each receive $750. All regional winners will also receive the Klein Tools’ Ultimate Garage Package worth an estimated value of $1,500.
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