The Malco Products, SBC, Trade-Pro of the Year Award celebrates outstanding HVAC professionals whose collective experience, achievements, on-the-job safety records and local involvement have made a difference in their communities. The five winners of this year’s third-annual contest were selected from nearly 300 nominations.

 “We’re proud to recognize the HVAC industry’s elite contractors and technicians who not only provide top-quality service to their customers, but also make a difference in their community and focus on safety on the job,” says Malco president and COO Mardon Quandt. “Each of the 2019 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.”

Congratulations to the following winners:

Gregory D Burg, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota

Burg is an HVAC installer for J-Berd Mechanical Contractors and loves installing ductwork. Burg’s supervisor Matthew Gregor says, “When installing, he sets a goal to give the customers the best product he can. It looks professionally installed every time from him. He’s a great teacher and he has great patience when teaching new guys how to install. I couldn’t ask for a better right-hand guy to have on my crew.”

Keith Palazzolo, Bay Shore, New York

Palazzolo is a self-employed HVAC contractor who has spent the last 35 years dedicated to the HVAC field. Palazzolo teaches for the Joint Apprenticeship Training Fund program, instilling the importance of working safely and effectively in future trade pros, and continues to support his community by temporarily fixing broken heating systems for neighbors who otherwise could not afford to make emergency service calls.

Fred Magers, Paxton, Illinois

Magers is the owner of Magers Repair and has been working in the residential and commercial HVAC business for more than 20 years. A longstanding community man, Magers is passionate about getting youth involved in the outdoors and dedicates his time to local Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops, as well as a youth program through Pheasants Forever.

Nicholas Yuschak, Grand Blanc, Michigan

Nicholas Yuschak of Grand Blanc, Michigan, has been recognized by Malco Products, SBC, as a “Trade-Pro of the Year” for his achievements, on-the-job safety, excellent reputation and commitment to making a difference in his community. Behler-Young in Flint, MI will distribute a tool prize to Yuschak.

Yuschak owns and operates Complete Comfort Heating and Cooling. He’s been working in the HVAC trade for 20 years, first working for his father’s company and then starting his own from the ground up. Yuschak’s company donates time and money annually to a local pediatrics foundation to support local families.

John Wilcox, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Wilcox is the lead technician for John Wilcox Plumbing and Heating, doing mostly residential installation and service. He supports his community as a member of the local Rotary Club, and a sponsor of the Woodville Plantation, a National Historic Landmark. “I love the Pittsburgh South Hills region,” says Wilcox.

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. Nominations for the 2020 Trade Professional of the Year program will open in February 2020.

For more information about Malco’s Trade Pros of the Year contest, visit malcoproducts.com. This story originally appeared in the October 2019 issue of SNIPS magazine.