Florida Regional Operators Finish in Top 3 at Championship Competition
March 18, 2014 (Sanford, Fla.)—Both of the crane operators who were finalists in the Orlando-area Regional Qualifier held last fall earned two of the top three spots in the MCM & CIC Crane Operator Skills Championship, held March 6-7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nev.
Kenneth Bowyer of All Crane Rental of Florida and Thomas Cunningham of Sims Crane were sponsored at the Championship event by Florida Crane Owners Council, Crane Institute of America, and M&P Specialty Insurance. Bowyer and Cunningham competed against 17 other operators from the U.S. and Canada, who had previously qualified to compete in the finals.
Bowyer and Cunningham originally qualified for the Championship at a Central Florida regional event hosted by Crane Institute of America November 9, 2013, and sponsored by M&P Specialty Insurance and Florida Crane Owners’ Council.
“As Florida’s construction market recovers, demand for skilled workers is projected to outpace supply. Highly skilled operators like Kenneth Bowyer and Thomas Cunningham are truly an asset to their companies and the Florida construction economy. I’m proud to know Florida turns out such exceptional crane professionals,” said Jim Headley, Director of Crane Institute of America.
Bowyer, who was named Champion, exhibited superior load control and ability to smoothly and efficiently complete the load handling tasks while under pressure. His score of 545.45 is a composite of his crane operation performance, successful completion of a crane simulator task, and demonstration of basic rigging knowledge. Bowyer received $2000, a custom belt buckle and leather jacket.
The title of Second Runner Up and $500 went to Cunningham, who specializes in taxi crane rental. He operates different types of cranes on a daily basis. He came in third with a score of 595.63.
Kenneth Bowyer of All Crane Rental of Florida and Thomas Cunningham of Sims Crane were sponsored at the Championship event by Florida Crane Owners Council, Crane Institute of America, and M&P Specialty Insurance. Bowyer and Cunningham competed against 17 other operators from the U.S. and Canada, who had previously qualified to compete in the finals.
Bowyer and Cunningham originally qualified for the Championship at a Central Florida regional event hosted by Crane Institute of America November 9, 2013, and sponsored by M&P Specialty Insurance and Florida Crane Owners’ Council.
“As Florida’s construction market recovers, demand for skilled workers is projected to outpace supply. Highly skilled operators like Kenneth Bowyer and Thomas Cunningham are truly an asset to their companies and the Florida construction economy. I’m proud to know Florida turns out such exceptional crane professionals,” said Jim Headley, Director of Crane Institute of America.
Bowyer, who was named Champion, exhibited superior load control and ability to smoothly and efficiently complete the load handling tasks while under pressure. His score of 545.45 is a composite of his crane operation performance, successful completion of a crane simulator task, and demonstration of basic rigging knowledge. Bowyer received $2000, a custom belt buckle and leather jacket.
The title of Second Runner Up and $500 went to Cunningham, who specializes in taxi crane rental. He operates different types of cranes on a daily basis. He came in third with a score of 595.63.