Jose Hernandez of Elkridge, Md.-based AC&R Insulation was named “America’s Best Insulation Installer” at the 2015 America’s Best Installer competition in Denver, Colo. Hernandez earned the top title and grand prize of $10,000 competing against 38 insulation professionals from across the country, the most competitors in the history of the competition. Hernandez also took top honors at the 2014 competition and is the first ever back-to-back winner.
The Best Installer competition was created in 2003 by Denver-based building products manufacturer Johns Manville and Insulate America to highlight the importance of a quality insulation installation. As temperatures begin to dip and homeowners start to consider home heating costs, the competition serves as a timely reminder of the role properly-installed insulation plays in home energy efficiency and indoor comfort.
Each competitor was given the task to install insulation products into one of four identical wooden mock home structures complete with construction obstacles, including electrical outlets, pipes and a vaulted ceiling. Performance was judged using several real job-site criteria, including quality of workmanship and installation, adherence to safety rules, speed/productivity and the amount of scrap material created.
“Each year we look forward to bringing competitors at the top of their profession together to compete and showcase the industry’s best practices,” says Danelle DeGroodt, marketing leader for the Building Insulation Division for Johns Manville. “America’s Best Installer has provided recognition to the skilled installers who play a significant role in creating more energy-efficient homes; we’re grateful for the opportunity to work with Insulate America to recognize Jose Hernandez and all of this year’s competitors.”
The competition also recognized a first runner-up, Javier Gonzalez of Ringwood, Ill.-based Astro Insulation, with a $5,000 cash prize. Two-time America’s Best Installer winner Ray Blackwater of Durango, Colo.-based San Juan Insulation was recognized as second runner-up with a $3,500 cash prize. Stan Tatara of Orchard Park, N.Y.-based Northwind Insulation took third runner-up with a $2,500 cash prize.
Additional cash prizes were awarded to runners-up from the preliminary rounds of competition:
- Ben Fuller of Sky Insulation, Charleston, W.Va. ($1,000)
- Brian Kissner of McPherson Products LLC, St. Cloud, Minn. ($1,000)
- Jose Mascorro-Aranda of Hill Country Insulation, Pflugerville, Texas ($1,000)
- Travis Nelson of Brian’s Insulation, Isanti, Minn. ($1,000)
- Ian Brogan of MaGrann Insulation, Voorhees, N.J. ($500)
- Salvador Herrera of Insulating Inc., Raleigh, N.C. ($500)
- Jose Martinez of Viking Insulation, Burbank, Calif. ($500)
- Manual Torres of Henges Insulation, Olathe, Kan. ($500)
“Insulate America is thrilled to recognize Jose as the best insulation installer of 2015,” says David Beam, president and CEO of Insulate America. “We’re proud to recognize the competitors’ commitment to industry standards and the highest levels of professionalism, while we continue to grow the nationally recognized program through our partnership with Johns Manville.”