MILFORD, Conn. - Gennaro Romeo Jr., 24, an HVAC worker, was named a state winner in the 15th Annual Dickies American Worker of the Year® Awards.

The 2006 Connecticut Worker of the Year said in his winning entry that he nominated himself "... because of the hard work I put in for my trade. I attended school, workshops, and also took a six-month course servicing A/C and heading for the U.S. Air Force. I put in 50 to 60 hours of hard work.