Full House for a Great Cause: NUCA EWNI Poker Tournament Raises Funds for the Next Generation

The cards were dealt, the chips were stacked, and the competition was fierce as more than 30 players gathered at Nashville North for the annual NUCA Eastern Washington & North Idaho Poker Tournament benefiting the Next Generation Scholarship & Workforce Development Fund.

While everyone came hoping to leave with the winning hand, the real winners are the students, apprentices, and future industry leaders who will benefit from the funds raised through this event.

As always, the tournament delivered a winning combination of friendly competition, industry networking, and plenty of laughs. Contractors, suppliers, and industry partners put their poker faces on and battled it out for bragging rights and top prize gift cards.

When the final cards were revealed, the leaderboard looked like this:

🥇 1st Place: Chris Matone

🥈 2nd Place: Chris Allison, Owner of Allison Grading

🥉 3rd Place: Patrick Morris' (Pape Machinery) wife, proudly representing the ladies at the final table

Congratulations to our top finishers and to everyone who participated in making the evening such a success!

Beyond the competition, one of the best parts of the tournament is the opportunity to connect with fellow industry professionals in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Whether discussing upcoming projects, sharing stories from the field, or trying to bluff your way through a tough hand, the event continues to be one of NUCA EWNI's favorite networking traditions.

Most importantly, proceeds from the tournament support the Next Generation Scholarship & Workforce Development Fund, helping invest in the future of the utility construction and excavation industry through educational opportunities, workforce training, and career advancement programs.

We absolutely must raise the stakes and give a royal flush of appreciation to our incredible Premier Sponsors: ACI Northwest, Aldrich CPAs + Advisors, Marsh McLennan, and Western States. A special shout-out goes to our event sponsor, IQ Construct NW, who played a crucial hand in making this event a success. Finally, a massive thank you to everyone who anteed up, sponsored, and supported this year's event!

We're already looking forward to next year's tournament, so start practicing your poker face and mark your calendars—we'll see everyone back at Nashville North in January 2027 for another night of cards, camaraderie, and giving back to our industry's future.

Until then, may your projects run smoothly and your pocket aces hold up.

♠️ ♥️ ♣️ ♦️