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

Owner of Jackson, Minn.-based excavating firm honored for business achievements and industry representation

LAS VEGAS, March 2009 … Walter Svoboda, owner of Svoboda Excavating, based in Jackson, Minnesota, 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. Svoboda 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.

Svoboda Excavating offers services to agricultural customers in addition to utility work for local municipalities. Equipment World editors heard a variety of accolades when considering Svoboda for this honor, including “willing to do the extra step,” “nobody does a better job than they do, ” “A-plus,” and “an honest, upfront company.”

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 Ziegler Cat joins Caterpillar and Equipment World in congratulating Svoboda Excavating.

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.