Blake Gentry has always enjoyed building things. Now he’s building a career. 

Already an apprentice in the carpenters union, Blake was scrolling Facebook when he ran across an ad for the BY Roads class in Evansville. Although he had worked as a carpenter for a while, he was eager to expand his skillset. The class looked like a chance to see what more he could learn. 

The opportunity to earn an OSHA-30 certification was especially appealing to Blake. He knew how important health and safety training, regulations and compliance are on a construction site, and how the certification could help him in his efforts to move up to be a supervisor. 

Born and raised in Madisonville, KY, Blake moved around a bit and worked a few different jobs before he got his first contracting job, building awnings. In addition to gaining construction skills, he learned that he liked moving around and being at different job sites.  

“It took a while, but I figured out what I like to do, and leaned into that,” he said.  

And that means he continues working on his career building: While working full time in Evansville, he’s studying to get an associates degree in construction trades. 

Stories like Blake’s wouldn’t be possible without support from Lilly Endowment – Thank you!