Retzlaff, Gumbert and Lynch (l-r)

The ConstructMyFuture.com program has named three winners of USD1,000 scholarships for construction-focused higher-education tuition or the purchase of tools to improve worker productivity.

The program is a workforce development initiative of the AED Foundation of Oak Brook, Illinois, an affiliate of Associated Equipment Distributors Inc; the Association of Equipment Manufacturers of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and the Associated General Contractors of America of Arlington, Virginia.

The 2008 winners are Andrew Retzlaff of Mankato, Minnesota; William Gumbert of Allenport, Pennsylvania; and John Lynch of Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Retzlaff plans to attend South Central College in Mankato for training as a heavy construction equipment technician with a focus on diesel mechanics and hydraulics.

Gumbert will attend the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pennsylvania for technology management and heavy equipment technician/operator training.

Lynch will attend Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina for construction management.

Scholarship applications are evaluated based on applicants' essays, school transcripts and personal references.

The program for 2009 will offer 10 scholarships, each with a value of USD1,000. To enlarge the program, Kobelco Cranes Ltd of Tokyo provided additional funding through subsidiary Kobelco Cranes North America Inc of Houston, Texas. The subsidiary was created in late 2003.