Just over two months ago, we started out on a search for the most outstanding electrician in the country. We were searching for an electrician who exhibits pride in their craft, who takes job-site safety to the highest standards, and who gives back to their community, and we found that in Billy Teaford.
Billy is our 2013 Electrician of the Year.
Billy, who was nominated by his daughter, stood out right away from the hundreds of nominees we received. After talking to him and the people who know him, it was very clear Billy exceeded all of the qualities we were looking for in our first Electrician of the Year.
Billy has worked at Roanoke Cement in Fincastle, Virginia for the last 40 years, and in that time he’s never had a lost-time accident. In fact, he still has the same lock-out tag he started with 40 years ago. He serves as the lead man for the electrical department and trains all new electrical hires at the plant.
Although he has many professional accomplishments, Billy seems most passionate about his volunteer work in his community. In the nomination letter, Billy’s daughter wrote, “there is no one who likes Christmas more than my father.” And his big Christmas gift to the community every year is making sure every child in need who asks for a bicycle for Christmas, gets one under the tree. With the support of Toys for Tots and the United States Marine Corps, Billy organizes the fundraising and the building of nearly 800 bikes every year to give to the Salvation Army.
Billy also translates his passion for cars (He’s a Corvette guy) into his charity work by organizing several car shows and cruise nights, including his church’s annual car show to raise money for the youth group activities. Billy plans and organizes the car show, including getting donations for prizes, food and trophies. The event brings in about $5,000 a year! Billy also does extensive volunteer work with Relay for Life and several other local charities. We can continue to sing Billy’s praises, but his friends, family, and work colleagues do it best:
Congratulations to our Electrician of the Year, Billy Teaford, from all of us at Klein Tools!