Winner Announced in Tradesperson of the Year Contest

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Jan 18, 2011, 03:30 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rebuilding Together, the nation's leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership, announced Dan Brown as the winner of its national contest: Rebuilding Together Tradesperson of the Year™ - presented by WD-40. Rebuilding Together partnered with WD-40, On the House with the Carey Brothers, Sears Blue Tool Crew, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay by Choice Hotels, HGTVPro.com, and eLocal, to find skilled tradespersons that give back to their community and add value to their industry.

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The Grand Prize winner was chosen after a committee review of nomination essays, a personal interview, and more than 12,000 public votes identified eligible skilled tradespersons making an impact in their communities through their work and trades. Dan Brown, a general contractor, is a community leader who uses his knowledge of and passion for trades to help people in need. He has served on the board of trustees of the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, a nonprofit homeless shelter, and consistently provided free labor to the shelter. His most recent project is working with a cooperative of several nonprofit agencies instituting a new training program to teach construction trades to homeless inner-city youth.

"Dan is the epitome of a skilled tradesman who utilizes his talents to represent his industry and give back in incredible ways," said Garry Ridge, president & CEO of WD-40 Company. "Helping the less fortunate so they can become employable, independent citizens embodies our corporate values of making it better than it is today and creating positive lasting memories."

As the Grand Prize winner, Brown will receive a trip for 2 to the Super Bowl, including a six-day, five-night stay at a Suburban Extended Stay by Choice Hotels, and $15,000 worth of tools and products courtesy of Sears Blue Tool Crew and WD-40. Runners-up and nominators will receive a variety of tool and product packages with a minimum value of $1,000 courtesy of Sears Blue Tool Crew and WD-40.

"We are thrilled to not only announce the winner of this contest, but also congratulate all six of these contestants on their outstanding professional and philanthropic contributions, each representing their trade in an exemplary way," said Gary A. Officer, president and CEO of Rebuilding Together. "Rebuilding Together, WD-40 and the rest of the Tradesperson of the Year partners congratulate Mr. Brown on his amazing accomplishments."

The five runners-up are: Angelo, painter for Joseph Tavone Painting Co.; Bill, carpenter for Curry Construction; Steve, roofer for DryHome Roofing and Siding; David, HVAC/plumber for Liszeski Plumbing; and William, electrician for Electricians Local 164.

To learn more about the nationwide contest and view the winner and finalists, visit: www.rttradespersonoftheyear.com.

About Rebuilding Together Tradesperson of the Year™- Presented by WD-40

Rebuilding Together Tradesperson of the Year™ - Presented by WD-40® is a partnership between Rebuilding Together and WD-40®, with support from our national radio partner, "On the House with the Carey Brothers," Sears Blue Tool Crew, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay by Choice hotels, HGTVPro.com, and eLocal. Together, we are conducting a nationwide search to recognize an individual who gives back to the community and adds value to his or her skilled trade industry. Six finalists will be chosen from those nominated. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a Super Bowl getaway for two and $15,000 worth of tools and products courtesy of Sears Blue Tool Crew and WD-40. Find out more about Rebuilding Together Tradesperson of the Year™ at www.rttradespersonoftheyear.com. \

About Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together is the nation's leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing extensive rehabilitation and modification services to those in need at no cost to those served. With the help of everyday citizen volunteers, skilled trades people, the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding Together affiliates in America's largest cities and smallest towns make life considerably better for thousands of low-income homeowners and the communities in which they live by completing 10,000 projects per year. Rebuilding Together has programs dedicated to, energy efficiency, veteran's housing, aging in place and gulf coast reconstruction. For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org. You can follow Rebuilding Together on Twitter @rebldgtogthr or become a fan on Facebook at Facebook.com/RebuildingTogether.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together