The winners of the 2006 IAM Photo Contest have been announced, and Local 41 member Ben Castic has won first-place for the second year in a row. This year’s entry, entitled, “Tunnel Vision” shows IAM member Gus Patakas as he deburrs a furnace section cylinder at South Side Machine Works in St. Louis, MO. Local 498 member Mike Kowalsky took second-place honors, and Ed Griffith of Local 2061 won third.
Winning photographs will be included in the 2007 IAM calendar. A portion from the sales of the calendar is donated to Guide Dogs of America. The IAM raised more than $23,000 for the GDA from last year’s calendar sales.
Honorable Mention winners are: Thomas Pinski, LL 837-B; Dave McWaters, LL 1788; David Cummins, LL 2003; Ronald Oliver, LL 837-A; Nicole Callahan, LL 1713; Philippe Deschênes, LL 869; Steve Albrecht, LL 1259; Andrea Gray, LL 1245; Frank Kammerer, LL 912; Joseph Fortunato, LL 1947; and Thomas Ringgold, LL 325.
“We had more members enter the Photo Contest this year than ever before,” said Director of Communications Rick Sloan. “And the quality of the photos submitted certainly raised the bar for future contests. Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to all who participated.”
The winning photos will be posted for on-line viewing as soon as the 2007 IAM calendar comes off the press… stay tuned!