Mike Stark Honored with Mentorship Award
Superior Industrial Insulation is proud to announce that Aaron Dowell, a member of our firestop team, was named Insulators Local 3 Apprentice of the Year at the 2026 Cleveland Building Excellence and Craftsmanship Awards. The same evening, Aaron’s longtime mentor and Superior Firestop Field Superintendent Mike Stark received the Providing Mentorship Award, an honor Aaron chose to present to the journeyman who guided him throughout his apprenticeship.
Northern Ohio’s Premier Union Construction Awards
On Aug. 20, the region’s top journeymen, apprentices, and contractors gathered at Cleveland Browns Stadium for the annual Building Excellence and Craftsmanship Awards. Presented by the Construction Employers Association of Cleveland (CEA) in partnership with the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council (CBCTC), the event celebrates the skill, dedication, and achievements of Northeast Ohio’s union tradesmen, tradeswomen and the contractors who employ them.
After an opening networking reception, CBCTC Executive Secretary/Business Manager Dave Wondolowski presented the Apprentice of the Year awards, recognizing the most accomplished apprentices across the region’s building trades. Craftsmanship Awards and contractor Building Excellence Awards followed, rounding out a night dedicated to the best work in the Northern Ohio union construction industry.
Aaron Dowell: A Standout in the Firestop Craft
Dowell’s recognition as the Heat and Frost Insulators Local 3 Apprentice of the Year reflects the consistency and precision he has brought to Superior’s firestop division. Firestop work demands meticulous attention to detail, since every penetration and joint must be sealed to meet the system requirements tested to protect building occupants and first responders. It is a craft where accuracy is non-negotiable, and Dowell has built a reputation for exactly that.
“Aaron has always been a standout employee on my crew since day one,” said Stark. “His dedication and accuracy on projects have been unmatched. He is always willing to go the extra mile to complete a project, including staying late and working weekends.”
Besides his skill, Stark also recognized Dowell for the respect and concern he shows to his fellow co-workers.
“He is also a great team player and looks out for the interests of the crew, not just his own,” Stark added.
Mike Stark Honored With the Providing Mentorship Award
The Providing Mentorship Award is unique in that it is selected by the apprentice. In choosing Stark, Dowell recognized the lasting impact the journeyman had as an on-the-job teacher throughout his training.
Stark’s career at Superior is a strong example of the growth the company fosters. He joined Superior in October 2009 in the Commercial Insulation division, and moved to the Firestop division around 2011. Today, with nearly 17 years at the company, he serves as Field Superintendent of the Firestop division, where he leads crews and trains the next generation of craftworkers.
Stark credits two things for his long tenure with Superior: the way the company treats its people, which has made the team remarkably close over the years, and the high standards Superior maintains across the industry. Those same standards are what he passes along to apprentices like Dowell in the field.
A Reflection of the Superior Team
For Superior leadership, recognitions like these speak to the strength of the company’s workforce and its commitment to developing skilled tradespeople through the union apprenticeship system.
“One of the most rewarding parts of what we do is seeing our people succeed,” said Superior Industrial Insulation President/CEO Tom Dake II. “We’re fortunate to have employees who take tremendous pride in their work, and it’s especially rewarding to see their hard work and dedication recognized by others. They’ve earned this recognition, and we’re incredibly proud to have them as part of the Superior Team.”
“Our employees are the ones who represent Superior every day, and their dedication, craftsmanship, and commitment are what continue to build our reputation,” said Superior COO Kevin Delaney. “It’s great to see that effort recognized outside of our company. We’re extremely proud of what they’ve accomplished and fortunate to have them representing Superior.”
Congratulations to Aaron and Mike
Together, Dowell’s selection as Insulators Local 3 Apprentice of the Year and Stark’s Providing Mentorship Award tell the story of what makes the building trades work: skilled journeymen investing in apprentices, and apprentices rising to meet the standard set before them.
Congratulations to both on these well-deserved honors.