Congratulations, 2024 Finalists!

The ACI Construction Career Awards celebrate the pinnacle of excellence in Cincinnati’s commercial construction industry. These awards honor the dedication and acumen of individuals in the skilled trades, organizations, and individuals for their dedication to workforce development.

Winners will be announced here on November 1, 2024, at noon, eastern. Finalists and winners will be celebrated at the:

ACI Construction Career Awards
November 13, 2024
Kenwood Country Club
3:30-5:30 pm

NOTE: Awards in the safety category will be honored at the 2025 ACI Safety Day and Conference on February 19, 2025

Organizational Excellence

Workforce Development

Awarded to an organization dedicated to developing new talent and upskilling the workforce. This company is committed to strategic onboarding, training, and career development that results in growth and improved workforce quality.

2024 finalists:

People Working Cooperatively
Messer Construction Co.
ESI, Inc.
ARCO National Construction – Ohio Valley

Organizational Excellence

Workforce Education

Awarded to an educational institution that is dedicated to attracting and developing the commercial construction workforce in the Cincinnati Region. This organization is committed to promoting and advocating for careers in construction and/or is actively developing talent and skills.

2024 Finalists:

Turner School of Construction Management
Greater Cincinnati Business Advisory Council
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Workforce Development Champion

Awarded to an individual who makes a significant contribution to construction-based outreach, culture, education, and/or training. This individual demonstrates a commitment to increasing the number of individuals entering or being upskilled in the construction industry.

2024 finalists:

Olivia Smitherman – Jostin Construction, Inc.
Kim Garn – Messer Construction Co.
Scott Henman – Ohio Valley Electrical Services, LLC
Jeremy Johnson – ESI, Inc.
Jenny Roose – Triversity

ACI Skilled Trade Awards

Awarded to outstanding craft persons (individuals) in the first five years of their careers who have demonstrated a talent, passion, and skill set to achieve excellence in craftsmanship and have positively contributed to their organization. Nominations should cite examples of technical skills, soft skills, and personal attributes that show early signs of success in their career.

2024 finalists:

Noah Allering – ESI, Inc.
Mason Cloud – ESI, Inc.
Jenny Delgado – Messer Construction Co.
Christian Rivers Glover – ESI, Inc.
Kenneth Heard – ESI, Inc.
Kyle Manwaring – Messer Construction Co.
Emily Novick – Messer Construction Co.
Jordon Parsons – cHc Fabricating Corp.
Grant Todd – Messer Construction Co.
Brian Whitlock – IBEW
Deondre (DJ) Williams – R.J. Beischel Building Company

Workforce Inclusion Champion

Recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to expanding the commercial construction industry workforce to include women, veterans, minorities, and other underrepresented groups. This award celebrates those who have demonstrated a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the industry and have successfully implemented initiatives or programs that have resulted in increased representation and opportunities for these groups.

2024 finalists:

Tony Brunsman, Spirit of Construction Foundation
Emily Crawford, Easterseals Redwood
Tonya First, ESI, Inc.
Tonya Key, Princeton City Schools
Jesse Simmons, Supply Chain OKI

Early Impact Champion

Recognizes an outstanding individual in the first ten years of their career who has demonstrated leadership in attracting, retaining, and championing talent in the Cincinnati region’s commercial construction industry. The recipient of this award is an emerging talent who embodies the qualities of a future leader and serves as an inspiration to others in the industry as well as being a positive representative of commercial construction within the community.

2024 finalists:

Nick Bartholomew – O’Rourke Wrecking
Dylan Davis – Sehlhorst
Michael Lauer – Messer Construction Co.
Maya Middlebrook – Turner Construction Company
Vinay Balasubramaniam Rathinakannan – Skanska USA Building, Inc.
John Westerkamp – Pioneer Cladding & Glazing Systems

Industry Icon

Awarded to an outstanding, experienced individual in the commercial construction trades who possesses not only technical expertise but personal qualities that make them highly effective. By embodying these qualities, they have earned the respect and admiration of colleagues, clients, and supervisors. The nomination should cite examples of their technical expertise, problem-solving and communication skills, attention to detail and commitment to safety, adaptability, mentorship, time management, and work ethic. The ACI Industry Icon, above all, is an exemplary stellar industry citizen who produces stellar work and inspires others to do the same.

2024 finalists FOR THIS AWARD WILL BE aNNOUNCED NOVEMBER 1