Steve Vesseli, owner of Universal Wrecking based in Brick, New Jersey, is among 12 national finalists for Contractor of the Year 2011, sponsored by construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar and leading construction trade magazine Equipment World. Mr. Vesseli attended the awards banquet March 5, in Las Vegas, where the top honor of Contractor of the Year was announced.

Each Contractor of the Year finalist is selected on the basis of company achievements, endorsements from customers and vendors and the contributions the company has made to the construction industry.

Universal Wrecking specializes in demolition projects. Equipment World editors heard a variety of accolades when considering the company, including