Five HVAC contractors and technicians were awarded Trade-Pro of the Year by Malco Products, SBC, for their experience and achievements in on-the-job safety and community involvement. 

“We are pleased to recognize the HVAC industry’s elite contractors and technicians who are not only providing top-quality service to their customers, but also making a difference in their community and focused on safety on the job,” said Malco president and CEO Mardon Quandt in a release. “Each of the 2018 Trade-Pro of the Year winners are helping advance the industry’s reputation, safety and experience, and we commend them on their dedication to the trade.”

Award recipients are as follows:

  • Greg Chidester, union sheet metal worker #20, Schuster Sheet Metal, Elkhart, Indiana
  • Bob Hennen, self-employed HVAC technician, Eden Valley, Minnesota
  • Matt Schoner, HVAC/R service technician, Advanced Thermal Solutions, Casper, Wyoming
  • Emmanuel Williams, master HVAC contractor, EMX Heating & Air Conditioning, Baltimore, Maryland
  • Todd Yarrington, service technician/installer, Allied General Mechanical, Detroit, Michigan

Malco received nearly 400 nominations for the program, an increase of over 30 percent from 2017, with all qualifying trade professionals who submitted a nomination receiving a Malco cap and gloves. Nominations for the 2019 Trade Professional of the Year program will open in February 2019.

“Congratulations to this year’s Trade-Pro of the Year winners,” added Eric Peterson, Malco director of sales and marketing. “We are proud to support and recognize these individuals as some of the hardest-working and most dedicated tradesmen in the HVAC industry.”

As a strong supporter and advocate of careers in the trades, Malco donates significant quantities of in-kind products and apparel annually to a variety of skilled trade education programs, competitions and events across the country, including high school, post-secondary technical and apprenticeship programs, regional apprenticeship contests and SkillsUSA state and national conferences. Malco also coordinates the “Head of the Class” Student Recognition Program that partners with education programs across the country to recognize high-achieving students and entire graduating classes in the HVAC/sheet metal, building construction and autobody repair fields.