Honoring Excellence: 2025 AJAC Awards
Each year, AJAC honors outstanding individuals and organizations who embody the spirit of apprenticeship:
- Youth Apprentice of the Year: Joseph Williamson, USNR
- Adult Apprentice of the Year: Jacob Stein, RTC Aerospace
- Instructor of the Year: Eric McDonald, Spokane
- Employer of the Year: RTC Aerospace
A Speech to Remember: Executive Director Lynn Strickland
AJAC Executive Director Lynn Strickland, who served as Master of Ceremonies, reminded us how far this journey has come since AJAC’s first graduation in 2014—where just 24 apprentices graduated. “Tonight,” she said, “these 70 graduates are not just stepping into careers—they’re stepping into leadership.”
Her message struck at the heart of what apprenticeship means: discipline, mentorship, and community. “Apprenticeship is a mindset,” she said. “Be the next shop lead, the next mentor, the next instructor… be that ‘master’ in someone else’s journey.”
Class Speaker: Zacchary Fairbairn’s Path from Feed Mill to Leadership
Representing the Class of 2025, Zacchary Fairbairn—an Operations Specialist graduate from Scratch and Peck Feeds—shared a moving and humorous reflection on his journey. From playing “office” in a field as a child to earning a 4.0 GPA through AJAC’s 18-month program, Zac embodied what it means to grow through challenge.
He emphasized the importance of empathy and humility in leadership: “Getting dirty and doing the basic tasks showed me what my teammates experience every day. That’s one of the lessons of this apprenticeship—walk the shop floor.”
Fairbairn, who was recently promoted to Materials and Logistics Manager, closed with a call to action: “Listen to the whispers in the wind. Follow the breeze to the path of knowledge. When communication is mastered, there’s no limit to what your team can achieve.”
Keynote Speaker: Brendan Davis on Grit, Growth, and Giving Back
Keynote speaker and AJAC graduate Brendan Davis delivered a powerful speech on the winding road of trades careers—from deli buckets to CNC machines to journeyman status. Brendan’s story of resilience through setbacks like COVID-19 layoffs inspired the crowd.
“You don’t need to have all the answers,” he said. “But you do have a duty—to teach when the moment is right, to lead not by authority, but by example.”
Brendan reminded graduates that the role of a journeyman is as much about lifting others as it is about mastering skills. “Every setback made room for growth. Every job sharpened my perspective.”
Looking Ahead
As the ceremony ended, applause filled the Museum of Flight for the graduates, instructors, employers, families, and AJAC staff who made the night possible. For AJAC, this evening marked more than a celebration—it was a snapshot of Washington’s manufacturing future, forged through mentorship, community, and skilled hands.
To the Class of 2025—congratulations. Your journey is just beginning.
