Volunteerism and community involvement are the backbone of every strong community, which is why WD-40 Company, in partnership with Rebuilding Together and others, is recognizing contractor Dan Brown from Egg Harbor Township, N.J., as the 2010 Rebuilding Together Tradesperson of the YearÔ for the value he adds to his trade profession and exemplary service to his community.

Brown is a leader who has combined his knowledge of the contracting trade with helping people in need. For more than 30 years, Brown has mentored and employed homeless workers and assisted them in finding skilled employment. His most recent project is the YouthBuild program, a pilot program to teach inner-city youth the art and science of construction. Brown is a long-time board member of the Atlantic City Rescue Mission.

“This has been a humbling experience, but the contest for me is not about winning – all the nominees are winners because of those we help,” Brown said. “The most precious thing people have is their time, and this program has helped promote the many worthy causes people can volunteer and participate in.”

Brown will receive a Super Bowl getaway for two, including air travel, lodging, game tickets and $500 in cash, $15,000 worth of products and tools courtesy of WD-40 Company and Sears Blue Tool Crew. He will also appear as a guest co-host on a live national radio broadcast of “On the House with the Carey Brothers,” which is the Tradesperson of the Year national radio partner.

“Community involvement is important to us at WD-40 Company, and we’ve partnered with Rebuilding Together to honor the service of men and women who work hard on the job and in their communities,” said Garry Ridge, president and CEO of WD-40 Company.  “Dan reflects the values of the WD-40â brand and Rebuilding Together, which include honesty, integrity, versatility, flexibility, problem solving and getting the job done.”

Brown was selected as one of six finalists from hundreds of nominations that came in throughout the country, and he was awarded the grand prize title based on a combination of his nomination, a phone interview and an online public voting component. The five other finalists, who represent specific skilled trade categories, include: Bill Curry, carpenter, MD; William Watts, electrician, NJ; David Liszeski, HVAC/plumber, OK; Angelo Balassone, painter, RI; and Steve Gotschi, roofer, VA. All five runner-up finalists and their nominators will also receive products and tools courtesy of Sears Blue Tool Crew and WD-40 Company.

“We congratulate Dan and are grateful to bring recognition to the spirit of service through the stories of all our finalists,” said Gary A. Officer, president and CEO at Rebuilding Together. "It is through the generous dedication of individuals and professional organizations in the skilled trades that allows Rebuilding Together to improve the lives and communities of homeowners throughout the country.”

Other sponsors of the program include MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay by Choice Hotels, HGTVPro.com and eLocal.  For more information about the Tradesperson of the Year program, judging criteria or to learn more about this year’s finalists, please visit RTTradespersonOfTheYear.com.

About Rebuilding Together Tradesperson of the Year_TM - Presented by WD-40

Rebuilding Together Tradesperson of the Year_TM – Presented by WD-40_® is a partnership between Rebuilding Together_® and WD-40, with support from our national radio partner, “On the House with the Carey Brothers,” Sears Blue Tool Crew, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay by Choice Hotels, HGTVPro.com, and eLocal.   Together, we are conducting a nationwide search to recognize an individual who gives back to the community and adds value to his or her skilled trade industry.  Six finalists will be chosen from those nominated.  The Grand Prize winner will receive a Super Bowl getaway for two and $15,000 worth of tools and products courtesy of Sears Blue Tool Crew and WD-40.  Find out more and nominate your Rebuilding Together Tradesperson of the Year_TM candidate at www.rttradespersonoftheyear.com.

About WD-40 Company

WD-40 Company, with headquarters in San Diego, is a global consumer product company dedicated to delivering unique, high-value and easy-to-use solutions for a wide variety of maintenance needs of "doer" and "on-the-job" users by leveraging and building the brand fortress of the company.  The company markets three multi-purpose maintenance product brands – WD-40_®, 3-IN-ONE_® and BLUE WORKSä – and eight homecare and cleaning product brands: X-14_® hard surface cleaners and automatic toilet bowl cleaners, 2000 Flushes_® automatic toilet bowl cleaners, Carpet Fresh_® and No Vac_® rug and room deodorizers, Spot Shot_® aerosol and liquid carpet stain removers, 1001_® carpet, household cleaners and rug and room deodorizers, and Lava_® and Solvol_® heavy-duty hand cleaners. 

WD-40 Company markets its products in more than 160 countries worldwide and recorded sales of $322 million in fiscal year 2010.

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