Jose Hernandez, an insulation professional in Elkridge, Md., was awarded the title of America’s Best Installer at the EXDO Events Center in Denver, for the third time. Hernandez competed against 35 other professionals from across the country for the title and $10,000 first-place prize in the competition that highlights the importance of energy efficiency. Hernandez won the competition back-to-back years in 2014 and 2015, becoming the first competitor to win the competition more than once. He is employed with Cameron Group LCC.
The competition was created in 2003 by Johns Manville (JM), a Denver-based building products manufacturer, and Insulate America, an independent insulation contractor organization. The competition recognizes local competitors and highlights the impact that properly-installed insulation can have on heating and cooling bills, home energy efficiency and indoor comfort.
The competition consists of three stages structured to test the installer’s workmanship and the final outcome of their installation. Competitors were assigned with the task of installing JM formaldehyde-free insulation batts into the mock home structure and were then judged upon quality and speed. Hernandez outperformed the other competitors during the final stage, which involved two identical wooden mock home structures, complete with construction challenges including electrical outlets, pipes and a vaulted ceiling.
“We’re pleased to honor Jose for the third time for his superior performance this year and we applaud our talented group of competitors for another solid year of competition,” says Bob Wamboldt, president of insulation systems at Johns Manville. “We’re proud of our continued partnership with Insulate America, and we look forward to celebrating and recognizing insulation installers for their dedication to the industry for years to come.”
The competition also awarded second, third and fourth place. Pete Middleton of Turner Insulation in Sterling Heights, Minn., placed second and was awarded a $5,000 prize; Stan Tatara of Henges Interiors in Earth City, Mo., was recognized as third place and won a $3,500 prize; and due to a tie in the preliminary rounds, Jesus Cruz of Millers Insulation in Albuquerque, N.M., and Luis Perez of Arkansas Insulation (A G5 Co.) in Bethel Heights, Ark., both placed fourth and were each awarded a $2,500 prize.
Additionally, the following competitors received cash prizes for their performance during the preliminary rounds of competition:
- Jose Lopez of American Fork, Utah, Premier Building Supply; $1,000
- Victor Lozano of Shawnee, Kan., Insulation Specialties Contractors Inc.; $1,000
- Efrain Magana of Fresno, Calif., California Building Products Inc.; $1,000
- Jorge Tinoco of Pleasant View, Utah, J&K Insulation; $1,000
- Eden Longoria of Englewood, Colo., Rocky Mountain Insulation Corp.; $500
- Michael Stephenson of Orchard Park, N.Y., Northwind Insulation; $500
- Robert Williams of Chattanooga, Tenn., Therm-Con LLC; $500