International Apprentice Contest

Patrick was initiated into Local 353 in Peoria, IL, in 1978. He began coming to Ann Arbor in 1993 and taught coordinator classes, as well as valves and rigging, at ITP. He graduated twice: once as an instructor and once from the first-ever coordinator class. He became a certified welding instructor in 2006 and taught welding for 12 years. Brother Faley served as training coordinator at Local 353 from 2003 to 2017 and was the chair of the Illinois State and District 4 Apprentice Contest. He became chairman of the International Apprentice Contest Committee in 2018.

Clancy apprenticed as a plumber for Local 130 in Chicago, IL, from 1969 to 1974. He competed in the 1973 National Apprentice Contest held at Purdue University, attaining first place. Kelly left Chicago in 1975 to relocate to Washington state, where he worked out of Local 695. He was hired by JH Kelly (no relation) in 1977 and worked there for 38 years. Local 695 merged with Local 26, where Kelly retired in 2014. Two of Kelly’s many jobs as project manager included the 2006 Cascade Grain ethanol plant in Clatskanie, OR, and the 2010 clean diesel upgrades at the Cenex refinery in Laurel, MT. JH Kelly’s teams have managed millions of UA manhours, mentoring hundreds of young UA members in the crafts. As the son of a UA plumber, and the father of a UA pipefitter, Clancy is proud to bring his legacy to the INAC Committee.

Kelly began his apprenticeship in 1968 and was initiated into Local 552 in 1969. He competed in the INAC competition at Perdue University in 1973 and gained Journeyman status the same year. Kelly began teaching trade school the following year and started his teacher training through the UA. He graduated as a certified instructor in 1984. He co-taught the ITP 419 Rigging Program at WCC for the UA for several years before joining the International Apprentice Contest Committee in 2018 as the representative from District 6.

Joe was initiated into Local 690 Metal Trades Division, Philadelphia, PA in 1973 and transferred into the Apprentice Program at Local 692, Philadelphia, PA in 1974. Brother Mathews attended classes at IPT starting in 2000, and after graduating from the program in 2003 taught classes for Star Sprinkler Fitter and First Aid and Basic Life Support. He became a training instructor in 2000 and in 2002 the training coordinator at Local 692. Brother Mathews served on many committees for A.S.S.E., NFPA and the U.A. Bookstore Committee until his retirement in 2016. In 2017 he was appointed to the International Apprentice Contest Committee by the General President.

Kevin Wyngaard was initiated into Local 458 (now Local 400) in Appleton, WI, in 1982, turning out in 1986. He started in the Instructor Training Program in 1991, graduating in 1995. He continued taking classes in Ann Arbor and taught two different courses there: Pneumatic Controls and Ammonia Refrigeration. Kevin taught night classes at Local 400, starting as soon as he turned out to journeyworker status. In the year 2000, he became a full-time day instructor and continued in that role for 22 years, continuing to do part-time instruction after retirement. Kevin received a Bachelor of Science degree in Career Technical Education and Training in 2004. He has been on numerous committees at Local 400, as well as serving as their recording secretary for 18 years. He became the International Apprentice Contest HVAC Committee chairman in 2022.

Paul is a 27 year member of Plumbers Local 98 in Detroit, MI and served as Program Director/Training Coordinator for the apprenticeship program from 2016 until his retirement in July of 2021. Paul graduated The International Training Program in 2004 and co-taught Plumbing Service, Maintenance and Repair at ITP from 2006 until 2019. He joined the International Apprentice Contest Committee in 2021. Brother Baker holds a State of Michigan Master Plumber license and an Associate in Applied Science from Washtenaw Community College. He is a 23 year member of the Michigan Chapter of the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) and ASSE International where he served on the Board of Directors and has earned recognition for his work as an ASSE International Fellow.