2025 Craft Employee of the Year
APS Solutions is honored to announce Noe Vazquez as our 2025 Craft Employee of the Year. This award is the highest recognition for our field professionals who demonstrate extraordinary skill, leadership, and a commitment to the APS core value: Investing in People. Which was embodied through dedication for construction safety leadership.
In the demanding world of industrial construction, many see “safety” and “production” as opposing forces. Noe Vazquez has spent his career proving they are one and the same. By combining twelve years of “boots-on-the-ground” experience with an academic hunger for safety mastery, Noe has become a primary architect of secure work environments.
A Career Forged in the Foundation
Noe’s journey is a masterclass in progressive leadership. His career began in the physical, foundational trades that keep the energy and power industries standing: carpentry, rod busting, and concrete finishing. He didn’t just perform these tasks; he mastered them across major projects for industry leaders.
As a Journeyman, Noe was responsible for the structural integrity of foundations, columns, and pedestals. As a Carpenter Journeyman, he managed complex layouts and hazardous material handling. This deep, practical knowledge is the bedrock of his current leadership. He doesn’t manage from a distance; he manages from a place of deep, personal understanding of what the crew faces every hour of every shift.
Construction Safety Leadership: Through Personal Sacrifice
The APS slogan, “Investing in People,” is often viewed as what the company does for the employee. However, Noe Vazquez has flipped that script, showing how an employee can invest in his colleagues through his own personal growth.
What truly sets Noe apart is his tireless dedication to advancing his safety career. While working grueling 10-12 hour shifts in the field, Noe refused to let his education end when the sun went down. He spent his nights taking classes to earn vital credentials that would allow him to better protect his team. His list of certifications is a testament to this grit:
- NCCER CSST (Construction Site Safety Technician)
- NCCER CSSS (Construction Site Safety Supervisor)
- NCCER CSSO (Construction Site Safety Officer)
- OSHA 30 and Safety Technology certifications
By earning these designations on his own time, Noe demonstrated a profound personal commitment to acquiring the most current knowledge to protect his colleagues.
Technical Safety: From Blueprint to Execution
Noe’s background means he doesn’t just manage safety paperwork; he proactively hunts for hazards. He is a master of technical safety, possessing a rare ability to bridge the gap between complex blueprints and real-world execution.
1. Documentation and Planning
Noe regularly interprets blueprints alongside critical safety documents like Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) and pre-task planning. This dual-focus ensures that APS never has to choose between meeting a project deadline and keeping a worker safe.
2. Controlling High-Hazard Environments
His experience allows him to safely lead crews through the most dangerous tasks in the industry. Examples include:
- Confined Spaces & Excavations: Where he implements safe practices based on soil classification—from lime rock to sand.
- Hot Work & Rigging: Ensuring that hoisting operations and maximum structural capacities are always respected.
- Fall Protection: Managing the use of harnesses, guardrails, and proper ladder safety on stairs and walls.
The Leadership Philosophy: Construction Safety Leadership
Noe’s leadership style is rooted in building competence and trust. He does not merely dictate orders; he coaches his crews on proper safety and operation procedures. This mentorship transforms safety from a list of rules into a shared culture.
