As we celebrate 50 years, we’re shining a light on the people who’ve helped get us here. First up is Dillon Call, Frame Carpenter Foreman and Conco’s very first It’s Cool To Be Blue (C2BB) scholarship recipient.

Back in 2014, Dillon knew college wasn’t the right fit. Fast food wasn’t for him, and a desk job didn’t spark his interest. So, like every C2BB participant, he joined Conco as a laborer. After three months of hands-on training, he was paired with a mentor to help him pursue his chosen trade: carpentry.

That mentor was Paul Cumblidge, a trusted leader at Conco who now serves as a Senior Superintendent and brings more than 25 years of experience to the job site. With Paul’s guidance, Dillon transitioned from a laborer into frame carpentry. Not only did Dillon enjoy it, he was also really good at it.

Soon after, Dillon became the first C2BB scholarship recipient and enrolled in the WSU Tech Carpentry Program, combining technical education with his real-world experience.

Dillon is proud of what he builds, and even prouder of what it represents. He values the camaraderie on the job and the relationships that have turned coworkers into close friends. As he puts it: “If you’re not having fun at work, well, then what are you doing?”

He still gets a sense of pride every time a project goes from bare ground to finished product. When asked what success looks like 50 years from now, his answer is simple: “If someone in fifty years says, ‘That wall hasn’t gone anywhere,’ then I did my job right.”

And while the learning curve was steep early on, his advice to newcomers is straightforward: “Don’t take things personally, and don’t be afraid to look dumb. You don’t know what you don’t know—and that’s okay.”

The It’s Cool To Be Blue program was created to give young people a chance to start strong, learn a craft and grow with confidence. Stories like Dillon’s remind us why we started this journey half a century ago, and where it can lead in the years to come.