Local Business Owner Among 12 National Finalists for 2009 Contractor of the Year Award

Owner of Sewell, N.J.-based construction firm honored for business achievements and industry representation

LAS VEGAS, March 2009 … Harry D. Covely, Jr., owner of Pioneer Pipe Contractors based in Sewell, New Jersey, is among 12 national finalists for Contractor of the Year 2009, sponsored by construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. and leading national trade magazine Equipment World.  Covely, Jr. attended the awards banquet February 28, in Las Vegas where the top honor of Contractor of the Year was announced.

Each Contractor of the Year finalist is selected on the basis of company achievements, endorsements from customers and vendors and the contributions the company has made to the construction industry.

Pioneer Pipe Contractors specializes in utility work serving townships and water companies, and also providing service for emergency repairs. Equipment World editors heard a variety of accolades when considering Covely, Jr. for this honor, including “very ethical, honest and safe,” “the best we have …  by far” and “as a client, we couldn’t ask for anything more.”

All finalists received a four-day trip to Las Vegas and attended the NASCAR Sprint Cup race courtesy of Caterpillar, sponsor of No. 31, driven by Jeff Burton for Richard Childress Racing.

“Equipment World magazine is honored to recognize the integrity, hard work, and dedication of these exemplary men and women,” said Dan Tidwell, vice president, group publisher of Equipment World magazine. “This group of finalists represents the best of the construction industry. Their success is evidence of the perseverance, drive and strong values they embody.”

Local Caterpillar dealer Ransome Cat joins Caterpillar and Equipment World in congratulating Pioneer Pipe Contractors.

Now in its 10th year, the Contractor of the Year is sponsored by Caterpillar, the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment; Safety.Cat.com, which offers an extensive offering of free industry-specific safety resources, and Equipment World magazine, the construction industry’s leading trade publication.