Bradford Barringer Receives First Ever NCUCADitch Digger of the Year Award at Spring Conference
Barringer Honored as NCUCA’s First Ditch Digger of the Year
Bradford Barringer of B.R.S., Inc., Richfield, North Carolina, was honored on Saturday, April 20th by the members of the North Carolina Utility Contractors Association as the organization’s first “Ditch Digger of the Year” during the Association’s Spring Conference held in Charleston, South Carolina.
Presenting the award were Justus Everett of A.B. E. Utilities and Lonnie Chandler, retired Safety Director with B.R.S., Inc. Everett drew a comparison between the award recipient and Spartan King Leonidas who courageously led the defense of Greece against the Persians at Thermopylae in 480 B.C.
Everrett noted that King Leonidas used cunning, strategy and incredible tenacity in defending Greece, allowing the Greek City-States time to unite and ulimately triumph against their would-be oppressors. Like the Greek City-States, contractors Everett noted, often exist in their own state of mind. Our first-ever, NCUCA Ditch Digger of the Year has fought bravely for our interests, often at his own great expense in time and effort, and has brought this industry together as no one else has. Chandler followed with an impressive list of awards and accolades bestowed upon the award recipient and his company, adding a note on Brad’s skills as a prolific letter writer on all issues affecting the industry.
Bradford Barringer on receiving the NCUCA Ditch Digger of the
Year Award.
Barringer, joined by his wife Ruby, was presented the silver Ditch Digger of the Year presentation shovel to a standing ovation and warm embraces. In accepting the award and thanking NCUCA for the recognition, Barringer noted the support that he had received from his family, especially his two sons Matt and John Barringer who were in attendance. He added that the struggle was not over.
In introducing the presenters, NCUCA President David Gaines mentioned his predecessor, Ken Malonson of Park Construction that led the initiative to establish the NCUCA Ditch Digger of the Year Award, assisted in establishing the criteria for the award, and who sponsored the presentation shovels for the next ten recipients.
NCUCA Executive Director, Jim Lowry commented that the presentation was such as special treat for him, for Justus Everett had taught him so much about the technical nature of the industry, Lonnie Chandler had long been a valued advisor on safety and risk management, and Brad Barringer remains an inspiration and mentor on advocacy and regulatory affairs. Lowry added his congratulations for a richly deserved recognition.
The North Carolina Utility Contractors Association is a Chapter of the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) with members in the Carolinas and Virginia and serves the industry with a comprehensive program of networking opportunities, representation before regulatory bodies, business improvement initiatives and educational opportunities. For more information on the NCUCA or the NCUCA Ditch Digger of the Year Award, please contact Jim Lowry at 919-845-7733. |
