Barton Malow Carpenter Foreman Aurelia Yazzie has been named the 2020 Carpenter Apprentice of the Year by the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. The honor is annually presented to an individual who demonstrates attendance and punctuality on the job, craft mastery and productivity, leadership skills and teamwork, safety awareness, the spirit of competitiveness, and commitment to their craft, employer, and the construction industry.
Aurelia accepted the honor during the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Michigan’s annual meeting, which was held virtually this year on Friday, February 26.
“It’s a great honor to receive this award, and I’m grateful for all of those who have helped to guide and prepare me for a career in the skilled trades,” she says.
Aurelia joined Barton Malow as a LEAPS intern in 2012 and spent three summers working on projects that included the Karn Weadock Power Plant (Bay City, Michigan), Eastland Middle School (Roseville, Michigan), and the Oakland University Bell Tower (Rochester, Michigan). In her third LEAPS internship with Barton Malow, she worked on the Interiors team as a Project Manager.
She was offered a full-time position at Barton Malow following her internships, but turned down the offer at the time to further expand her education and skills. In 2016, Aurelia took part in the Detroit Carpenters Apprenticeship Program and later that year graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Construction Management.
“She has the passion to keep learning and pursuing different avenues in the construction field so one day, when she feels ready, she can take on a project of her own,” says General Superintendent Dave DeFauw. “She is really an inspiration to the construction industry. Not only is she a great builder, but she is an amazing person.”
Adds Matt Tritt, Barton Malow General Carpenter Foreman: “Aurelia is and will continue to be a great leader, she is a valuable member to any team, and a very valuable asset to Barton Malow.”
