Apprentice Spotlight

Apprentice Spotlight: Donovan Brown

Apprentice Spotlight, News

For Donovan Brown, a second-year carpentry apprentice, his profession is more than just a job—it’s a legacy. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a master carpenter he deeply admired, Donovan joined the carpenter’s Union] in September 2023. He quickly hit the ground running, securing a position with Grady and Associates, where he specializes in installing medical support systems in hospitals.

 In two years with the company, he’s transitioned from a groundsman to a team lead, running his own jobs with a small crew. “They know me and they trust me,” he explains.

The Union has been a cornerstone of Donovan’s success. “The Union allowed me to be stable and take care of my family,” Donovan reflects. It also opened doors to a wealth of knowledge, teaching him how to navigate the complexities of the construction workplace and collaborate effectively with peers. He believes the challenges he has overcome through the apprenticeship experience have made him a better person, a better worker, and a better coworker. 

Donovan is quick to credit the mentors at the Union hall who have guided him. “Those guys have really impacted what I’ve been doing,” he says. “I’m glad to be able to have those guys to keep pushing me and keep me on track.” He’s even had the opportunity to engage in the Union’s political efforts, like going to the state capitol to advocate for legislation.

Looking toward the future, Donovan hopes to connect and work with other carpenters and Union members around the world, and to be there for the next generation of apprentices just as he has been mentored. In the meantime, he will keep building his career in Atlanta and working toward journeying out. When he’s not on the job or doing side carpentry work, Donovan enjoys playing basketball, working out, and spending quality time with his wife, mother, and siblings.

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Member Spotlight: Crystal Moore

Apprentice Spotlight, Member spotlight, News

Crystal Moore joined the apprenticeship program in 2019 and recently journeyed out. She has been building her career in carpentry primarily in Georgia. Before joining the union, Crystal worked in an auto manufacturing plant. She knew a desk job wasn’t for her and was drawn to the trades because of her hands-on skills. Now, as a carpenter, she thrives on the diversity of her work, from drywall to ceilings to pouring concrete. This variety is what keeps her engaged and learning on the job.

“There’s always room to grow, to learn,” she says. “And that’s what I like. And it’s never the same job. You always learn something as you move on in the career.”

One of the biggest benefits of being a union member for Crystal is the consistency and job security. Instead of constantly filling out applications, she simply adds her name to the Ready to Work list and waits for a job. Sometimes the job has taken her to different parts of the region and country, including Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas. She loves the opportunity to see new places before returning home. Eventually, she hopes to work in Los Angeles, a place she’s always wanted to visit.

Recently, Crystal visited the training center in Chattanooga to get her forklift recertification. While she’s glad to be done with the classroom portion of her apprenticeship—juggling it with work could be a challenge—she appreciates the ongoing training opportunities the union provides.

As a woman in a male-dominated field, Crystal admits there have been challenges. She often feels like she must prove herself on every new job site, despite her years of experience. However, she believes it’s worth it.

“When they see a woman that’s succeeding as much as a man is, that’s impressive,” she says. “I’d totally recommend a woman to join the union.”

“Being part of the union has been a great experience for me,” she says. “A lot of people help me along the way and I appreciate it. I love the connections that I have, and I love the people that I meet.”

When she’s not at work, Crystal enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and tackling home improvement projects.

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Apprentice Spotlight: Justin Dorler

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Justin Dorler is a new face in the union, having joined in June 2025. Hailing from Decatur, Georgia, he’s a dedicated family man, married since 2020 with a three-year-old son. Justin’s journey into the trades is a story of following a long-held passion, even after initially taking a different career path. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering but has always felt a strong connection to construction, a field deeply rooted in his family’s history.

Justin’s decision to join the apprenticeship program was a way to get back to his roots. “I come from a family of construction workers,” he shared. “It’s always been something I was drawn to.” After a career path that wasn’t the right fit, he saw the union as an ideal entry point. He was particularly drawn to the union’s robust support system, including free classes and events designed to connect apprentices with contractors. This, he felt, was a “great chance to get involved at the ground floor and have a way to where I can learn skills and build my experience.”

Since joining, Justin has been proactive in his training, taking classes in scaffold familiarization and safety. He recently participated in the Atlanta Combine. He appreciated how instructors provided helpful tips and feedback during tasks, noting that it was a valuable way for employers to see not just skills, but also an apprentice’s willingness to learn and take direction. Reps from Anning-Johnson were impressed with Justin’s skills at the Combine and interviewed him after the event. He will soon start his first official job in carpentry with Anning-Johnson in the Atlanta area.

He’s been working part-time to make ends meet while he navigates the initial challenges of getting started in the industry. Last summer, he gained some valuable hands-on experience by working on material installations and setting up industrial racking.

Looking to the future, Justin is eager to remain a hands-on, active member of the union. He sees the apprenticeship program as the pathway to a solid career, and his ambitions extend beyond his own work. “I have a passion for labor rights,” he says, with a long-term goal of one day becoming an instructor or administrator within the union.

When he’s not pursuing his career goals, Justin enjoys spending his personal time skateboarding and, most importantly, being with his son.

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