By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

Keith Welch of the Clanton Housing Authority won the 2016 AAHRA Outstanding Maintenance Employee Award. He received the award on Aug. 24 at the association’s annual conference in Destin, Florida.

The Alabama Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (AAHRA) is an association made up of 150 housing authorities across the state of Alabama. This year they honored Welch at their annual conference with the award for Outstanding Maintenance Employee of the year.

“We really appreciate his service,” said Ron Jones, Executive Director of the Clanton Housing Authority. “He is a truly valuable long term employee.”

Welch began his work with the Authority as Maintenance Supervisor on Oct. 31, 1994.

Since then, Welch’s service has earned the respect and admiration of many people in the community. In Jones’s letter of recommendation for Welch, he wrote that most residents under the housing authority request Welch personally to perform maintenance on their homes.

In addition to his popularity, Welch has a volume of qualifications that signify a career spent both learning and doing. According to Jones, Welch is a licensed electrician, plumber, HVAC repairman, auto mechanic, small engine mechanic, carpenter, fabricator and welder.

“It meant a lot to me. I appreciate the association for giving me the award, and Mr. Jones for nominating me,” said Welch. “It’s a great community and it’s been awesome to be a part of it.”

Welch said that during his 22 years at the Housing Authority, the City of Clanton has always been helpful to them. He said he is honored to receive an award for serving in this community.