Northern Ohio Administration District Council Ex-Marine Tackles Trade

From left, Local 5 OH instructor David Wolf, Local 5 apprentice Steve Koontz, and Local 5 Apprentice Coordinator Anthony McCullough.

Local 5 Ohio apprentice Steve Koontz is gaining skills both on and off the job thanks to the BAC apprenticeship he began two years ago. His on-the-job training, attention to coursework, and winning performance at apprenticeship contests will all serve him well.

“Working outside with my hands initially attracted me to masonry, and, thanks to my Union apprenticeship program and my coworkers, my career is moving along well,” says Koontz. “The Union is providing my wife and me the benefits, including a pension, health and welfare coverage, and the better wages we need.”

Koontz began his apprenticeship with Cleveland, Ohio-based Crest Masonry after serving four years in the United States Marine Corps. So far, he has worked on a variety of jobs across the Northern Ohio ADC, gaining experience with brick, block, glazed tile, glass block, and stone along the way.

“Steve has a very positive attitude toward his apprentice program, job, and career. He focuses on his projects, and continually seeks to upgrade his level of knowledge of masonry specifications, standards, and definitions. It’s easy to understand why he’s excelled in the trade in only a brief amount of time,” says Local 5 JATC Apprentice Coordinator Anthony McCullough.

“Steve has a calm and patient personality that is reflected in his work. I attribute that to his Marine Corps background,” says Local 5 JATC Shop Instructor for Brick and former Army Corporal, David Wolf.
The ex-Marine is looking to the future for continued success, with hopes of becoming a foreman, and perhaps a contractor some day.