FORT WORTH, TEXAS -- Dickies, the leading global work wear brand, today announced the 2011 Dickies American Worker of the Year®. This year, Dickies' Facebook fans were asked to select who they believed resembled the hardest working American. After nearly 4,000 votes were tallied, Jeremy Lower, a concrete pourer and volunteer fireman from Darlington, Wis., was named the winner.
Nominated by his loving girlfriend, who spoke of his unrelenting spirit and devotion to helping others and his strong work ethic, Lower spends his days pouring concrete for 12 to 13 hours, often working overtime to provide for his family. As a child, his hard-working grandfather served as his role model, and he began working at age 13 by helping raise cattle and driving semi trucks. In his spare time, Lower volunteers as a firefighter and builds demolition derby cars. In honor of his commitment to his family and community, Lower will be awarded $50,000 from Dickies.
"The public's votes speak to what a great role model Jeremy Lower is for all Americans. It is truly humbling to see a fellow American working hard and steadfastly even when times are tough," said Mike Binnie, president of Williamson-Dickie USA. "His dedication to helping his community members and providing for his family are inspiring, and we are honored to name him as Dickies' American Worker of the Year."
For Lower, a self-proclaimed 'plain Jane country boy,' his greatest reward comes through the gratitude of those he helps. "It means so much to me when someone tells me they appreciate what I do, and I know that I've made a difference," said Lower.
For the first time in the contest's history, contestants were able to enter the contest by submitting a video, a series of photos or a short essay via Dickies' Facebook page (www.facebook.com/dickies) between May 2 and May 30. From June 13 to June 27, Facebook fans were able to vote for their favorite submission. The other four finalists will each receive a brand new Dickies wardrobe. The remaining finalists included: Jay Praytor, a landscaping business owner from Texas; Dano Pressley, an auto repair shop owner from North Carolina; Michael Mack, a U.S. soldier and factory worker from Ohio; and Travis Dawson, a pressure cleaning service business owner from Georgia.
Now in its 19th year, Dickies American Worker of the Year contest continues to support and honor hard-working men and women. Past honorees have included an oil field roughneck, farmers, builders, teachers, an electrical lineman and soldiers. In 2010, Theresa Voss, a neuro-intensive care nurse from Rockford, Ill., was selected as the Dickies American Worker of the Year. Previously, a panel of judges reviewed nominations and selected the honoree each year.
