Edward G. Banks’ Memorial Contractor of the Year Award

Created in 1996, in memory of Ed Banks, owner of Meadows Mechanical in Gardena, Ed Banks exemplified the best characteristics of association membership. He was the consummate SMACNA member at every level, local, state and national. When the situation called for leadership, he was a leader. When the situation called for collective action, he was a team player.

Ed truly believed in the value of association membership and the benefits to be derived from it. He never said no when his participation was needed. His example stands as a model for present and future members and it is with this in mind that the Ed Banks Memorial Award was established by CAL SMACNA.

The Ed Banks Memorial Award will be presented each year to the CAL SMACNA member who, in the opinion of the committee, best epitomizes the characteristics of Ed Banks who was, above all, a truly gentle man.

Ed Banks Memorial Award for Contractor of the Year 2025 – Brad Young, Wittler-Young Company

Brad Young is a second-generation contractor, his family business was established in 1960 with the commitment of excellence as their foundation. He started his career in the HVAC industry in 1974, where he worked two years as a summer shop hand, and in 1976 began a three-year stint as a summer apprentice. After that, he moved into the office as an assistant to estimators and project engineers for the next two years.

He graduated college in 1983 with a degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering from the California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo. After graduation he worked for four years at an engineering firm before returning to the family business. He started as a project engineer and worked his way up to Vice President of Sales and Engineering. Today he owns the business his father and his partner started in 1960.

Brad has been dedicated and involved with SMACNA Southern California and CAL SMACNA. He has served on the SMACNA Southern California’s Executive Committee and Board since 1998. He also serves on SMACNA SoCal’s Financial and Scholarship Committee.

Brad has served on CAL SMACNA’s Board of Directors since 2003; serving on the CAL SMACNA Executive Committee from 2011-2015. He has contributed to numerous CAL SMACNA committees; notably; the convention, investment, and regulatory committees.

Brad has served on ASHRAE for multiple decades and also serves on the Engineering Advisory Board for Cal Poly University.

Past recipients of this award include:
2023 Bobby Bramlett, Aire Sheet Metal 
2022 Duane Davies, National Air Balance Company
2020 Kevin Michel, Xcel Mechanical Systems
2019 Mitch Hoppe, Melrose Metal Products
2018 Angie Simon, Western Allied Mechanical Inc. 
2017 Joe Isom, California Sheet Metal Works, Inc.
2016 David Lawson, Lawson Mechanical Contractors
2015 Randy Attaway, AGC, Inc.
2014 Lonnie Petty, Strategic Mechanical Contractors
2013 Mike Pence, Control Air North, Inc.
2012 Kent Cooper, Los Angeles Air Conditioning, Inc.
2011 Rick Von Gottberg, Lemon Grove Sheet Metal Works, Inc.
2010 Lonnie Michael, III, Ray L. Hellwig Mechanical Co., Inc.
2009 Bob Vlick, ACCO Engineered Systems
2008 Jim Boone, New England Sheet Metal Works
2007 Bob Tuck, Atlas Heating & Air Conditioning, Co.
2006 Tani Poe, Western Allied Corp.
2005 Gary Moore, Air-Ex Air Conditioning
2004 Matthew Smith, Smith Heating & Air Conditioning
2003 James Asbury, Bell Products
2002 Jordan Ehrenkranz, Ideal Heating & Air Conditioning
2001 Garland Self, Jr., Selco Heating & Air Conditioning
2001 Bill Prosser, Sr., CANFAB
2000 Ken Hammill, Capital Sheet Metal
1999 Daren Weckerly, San Diego Sheet Metal Works
1998 Kurt Smith, Smith Heating & Air Conditioning Co., Inc.
1997 John Couts, Couts Heating & Cooling
1996 Arden Hill, Cabrillo Mechanical and Sheet Metal, Inc. 
1995 Tom Guilfoy, Guilfoy Cornice Works
1994 Wally Von Gottberg, Lemon Grove Sheet Metal
1993 Harry Hoppe, Melrose Metal Products
1993 Lonnie G. “Jerry” Edwards, Meadows Mechanical