George Hogan (R) accepts the USA's 2018 IBEW Conservation Steward of the Year Award from USA Executive Director & CEO Scott Vance (L) at the 2018 IBEW Construction Maintenance Conference.

Franklin, Tenn. — The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) has honored George Hogan, business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 26, with the 2018 IBEW Conservation Steward of the Year Award for his tireless efforts to rally fellow union members for conservation.

The award recognizes volunteers from each of the USA’s charter unions who have made exceptional contributions to the USA’s efforts to organize union volunteers to donate their time and unique trade skills in the preservation of North America’s outdoor heritage.

Hogan’s accomplishments include spearheading the USA’s 100th Work Boots on the Ground project, which restored a popular community fishing pier on the Potomac River at historic Jones Point Park in Alexandria, Virginia. Valued at more than $100,000 in materials and labor, the project drew widespread donor support and enlisted over 100 union and student volunteers to donate 864 hours to complete critical repairs and bring the pier into ADA compliance.

In addition, Hogan chaired the USA’s Capital Area Conservation Dinner for the last two years, helping it become one of the organization’s most successful fundraisers for conservation, access and mentoring projects. He is also a key committee member of the USA’s Capital Area Sporting Clays Shoot, which likewise raises vital funds to support the USA’s mission.

USA CEO and Executive Director Scott Vance presented Hogan with the award on Saturday, April 14, 2018, at the 2018 IBEW Construction Maintenance Conference.

In Hogan’s award acceptance speech, he recalled the feeling of helping children catch their first fish at the Jones Point Park dedication and outreach event. “It was unbelievable,” he said. “Some of these kids had never held a rod or caught a fish. We taught them a little about fishing and they were super elated. If you’re not involved with the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, get involved because it’s the greatest thing we have ever gotten involved with.”

Hogan is a fourth-generation IBEW member now enjoying his 44th year with the union. During his career, Hogan has worked on many well-known sites in Washington, D.C., including the Metro System, the U.S. Capitol, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.

“George Hogan exemplifies the spirit, hard work and solidarity that makes us stronger together and helps us change lives through our mission,” said Vance.

The Conservation Steward of the Year selection process begins with the nomination of potential recipients by peers or union leadership. From this pool of nominees, USA staff select individuals who have had the greatest impact on the USA’s mission, represented their unions in the most exemplary fashion, and made the biggest difference in their local community.

Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA): The USA is a union-dedicated, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community through conservation to preserve North America’s outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org or connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Work Boots on the Ground (WBG): WBG is the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s flagship conservation program that brings together union members willing to volunteer their time and expertise to conservation projects that improve and enhance public access to the outdoors, conserve wildlife habitat, restore America’s parks and mentor youth in the outdoors. The USA’s WBG program works closely with federal, state and local agencies and other conservation groups to provide manpower needed to complete critical projects that may otherwise go undone.