By David Noss
Bill Curry, a carpenter from Lusby, is currently running in third place in Tradesperson of the Year competition. Candidates were nominated based on their community involvement and volunteerism. You can vote for Bill here. Thursday is the last day.
Hundreds of nominations were received from throughout the country, and Bill was selected as one of six finalists.
Bill was nominated by Jane Hall who noted that although she is not a close personal friend, she was inspired to nominate him because of his "extensive volunteerism."
"He (Bill) has spent countless hours promoting conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed," wrote Ms. Hall. "He has done this by volunteering his time, and donating materials, tools and expertise toward various non-profits, including serving as chairman of the Coastal Conservation Association, and restocking and monitoring yellow perch for the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative."
Winners will be selected in order of the most number of votes received online at www.rttradespersonoftheyear.com. Anyone can vote up to once per day. The last day to vote is Thursday, January 6.
The grand prize winner will receive a 2011 Super Bowl getaway for two including air travel, lodging, tickets and $500 in spending money. The winner will also receive $15,000 worth of tools and products from the Sears Blue Tool Crew, and a selection of WD-40® products.
Bill is currently in third place with 7,328 votes. Steve Gotschi from Virginia has 9,528 votes and Dan Brown fron New Jersey has 9,245 votes.
You can vote for Bill by visiting www.rttradespersonoftheyear.com/profile/bill-curry and clicking on "submit vote" button.
"Bill is a true hero, yet a very humble man, and I know he has hammered the nails needed to construct a better world for us all,” concluded Hall.
Complete Nomination Submitted by Jane Hall for Bill Curry
I don't know Bill Curry well, but his extensive volunteerism has inspired me to enter him in this contest. He has spent countless hours promoting conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. He has done this by volunteering his time, and donating materials, tools and expertise toward various non-profits, including serving as chairman of the Coastal Conservation Association, and restocking and monitoring yellow perch for the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative. He shares his experiences and knowledge in various industry associations to help individuals and companies. He uses his carpentry, construction and business knowledge to streamline costs for the non-profit groups he has been involved with. He has used diplomacy to bring together groups of very differing interests to negotiate sensitive policies and laws. He shares his knowledge with other groups in the region to maximize conservation efforts and dollars. As a self-employed small business owner he faces the struggles involved with such, yet maintains flexibility to be there for the needs of his community. His honesty and integrity are well known and respected among those who know him in the industry and his volunteer groups. His efforts benefit every living thing in the Bay and its watershed, including the many youth he has inspired. Please do not let my ignorance of all of his works be a factor in considering him for Tradesperson of the year. Bill is a true hero, yet a very humble man, and I know he has hammered the nails needed to construct a better world for us all.
I don't know Bill Curry well, but his extensive volunteerism has inspired me to enter him in this contest. He has spent countless hours promoting conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. He has done this by volunteering his time, and donating materials, tools and expertise toward various non-profits, including serving as chairman of the Coastal Conservation Association, and restocking and monitoring yellow perch for the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative. He shares his experiences and knowledge in various industry associations to help individuals and companies. He uses his carpentry, construction and business knowledge to streamline costs for the non-profit groups he has been involved with. He has used diplomacy to bring together groups of very differing interests to negotiate sensitive policies and laws. He shares his knowledge with other groups in the region to maximize conservation efforts and dollars. As a self-employed small business owner he faces the struggles involved with such, yet maintains flexibility to be there for the needs of his community. His honesty and integrity are well known and respected among those who know him in the industry and his volunteer groups. His efforts benefit every living thing in the Bay and its watershed, including the many youth he has inspired. Please do not let my ignorance of all of his works be a factor in considering him for Tradesperson of the year. Bill is a true hero, yet a very humble man, and I know he has hammered the nails needed to construct a better world for us all.