Insulation installer David de la Fuente of Star Companies, Inc. in Raytown, Missouri was awarded the title of “America’s Best Installer”, along with a $10,000 grand prize, at Johns Manville and Insulate Ameri ca’s 15th annual America’s Best Installer competition in Denver, Colorado.
De la Fuente competed against 26 other insulation installers from across the country in the skill-based event, which involved installing JM formaldehyde-free insulation batts into mock home structures. Judges evaluated each installation based on workmanship, install quality, speed, material use, and reaction to obstacles.
The America’s Best Installer competition was created in 2003 by building products manufacturer Johns Manville and Insulate America to recognize the skill of insulation installers and demonstrate the impact of a quality insulation installation in building structures.
“David de la Fuente is a very deserving winner of this year’s ‘America’s Best Installer’ competition,” said David Beam, president and chief executive officer of Insulate America. “We are proud to recognize all of the competitors who participated in the 15th annual competition for their hard work and dedication to quality and professional workmanship. We also thank our partner Johns Manville for 15 years of unwavering support for the contest and the opportunity to recognize and reward the nation’s best.”
The competition also recognized Noe Castillo of Denver-based Rocky Mountain Insulation with a $5,000 cash prize, as well as a $3,500 third-place prize for Shawn Elliot of Charlotte, N.C.-based Standard Insulating Companies and a fourth-place $2,500 prize for Jose Varela-Garcia of Olathe, Kan.-based Henges Insulation.
