Terrazzo Winners
Issue 6 - 2007
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| From left, third place winner Lewis Radmomile of Local 9 PA, second place winner Benjamin Panaro of Local 7 NY/NJ, and first place winner Gregery Lasley of Local 4 IN/KY. |
Terrazzo contestants faced a multi-day challenge that required skill in setting strips, applying material and grinding. On day one, contestants put together strips, laid down a concrete pad and put the strips in for the epoxy, which was applied and left to set for a full day. On the second day, contestants put strips down for a sand-based application, then used a grinder to give the epoxy application a finished look.
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| First place winner Gregery Lasley of Local 4 IN/KY. |
For first place winner and Local 4 Indiana/Kentucky member Gregery Lasley, masonry is in his blood. With a great-grandfather who was a mason and a grandfather who is a BAC Gold Card member, it was only a matter of time before Lasley entered the trade. Heeding his grandfather’s advice who said, “It’s a trade that will always be there,” Lasley began his career right after high school. He switched to terrazzo when a boss asked him to give it a try and has stuck with it ever since. “Terrazzo is what I love to do,” he said. “Every job is a different pattern, and no job is like another.” Lasley described winning the award as a “great accomplishment.” He encourages other apprentices to “just do your best. Go out there and do what you do every day.”
Second place winner and Local 7 New York/New Jersey member Benjamin Panaro graduated from the IMI pre-job tile program in Bordentown, New Jersey and began working with terrazzo when a contractor offered him the opportunity. He was honored to represent his Local and one day hopes to run work as a foreman.
Third place winner Lewis Radomile of Local 9 Pennsylvania always thought he would be a bricklayer since that was the path his uncles had chosen. But when he learned about terrazzo, he knew where his career path would lead. “I wanted to do something different,” he recalls, “and it’s a specialty that not everyone can do.” He really enjoys the artistic side of his craft and was even more inspired after speaking with the judges after the Contest, who advised him “to love what he does.” One thing he always knew was that he would be a union member, just like his father who is a member of the Mineworkers. |
