Standing (L to R): Tim Butler, Joel Hewitt, Tom Brace, Craig Bistodeau, and Trinidad Uribe
Seated (L to R): John Hamann, Brad Hopping, Joel Slaney, Stefany Slaney,

Sprinkler Fitters Local 417 apprentice, John Hamann, of Nasseff Mechanical Contractors, has won the Minnesota State Apprentice Contest (sprinkler fitter division) held in Saint Paul on March 20th and 21st. The annual competition highlights the apprenticeship programs and the talents of apprentices in the pipe trade industries. This year’s competition for sprinkler fitters consisted of an arduous 230+ question written exam and four practical projects.

John’s competition this year was friend and classmate, Stefany Slaney, who is also a fifth-year Local 417 apprentice. Stefany is employed by Summit Companies. Stefany was recently named the Local 417 Apprentice of the Month. The competition was close and friendly, and both participants were happy to have entered the contest this year. These talented individuals are looking forward to graduating from the apprentice program in June.

The two competitors were joined at the contest this year by the leaders of Sprinkler Fitter Local 417: Trinidad Uribe, Local 417 Business Manager; Craig Bistodeau, Business Agent; and Brad Hopping, Training Coordinator. Brad coordinates the sprinkler fitter contests at both the state and Division 4 levels. NFSA officials participating in the contest activities were Minnesota Chapter President, Sean Flaherty, Viking Automatic Sprinkler; NFSA State Coordinators Tom Brace and Joel Hewitt; and North Central Regional Manager Tim Butler.

This is the first year that NFSA has helped sponsor the Apprentice Contest, and it was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the apprenticeship process and meet these young and talented members of our profession! John now advances to the District 4 competition, which will be held in Saint Paul in June. Congratulations, Stefany and John, and good luck in your future endeavors!