2008 Business Partners of the Year
Bergen – Donald Shatinsky, NJ Economic Development Authority
For the past two years, Don Shatinsky has served as a liaison between the Bergen County Technical Schools, the bioscience industry, and leading university researchers around the state. Due to Mr. Shatinsky’s foresight and deep understanding of the district’s vision, the district has been able to provide opportunities for students to interact with some of the most cutting-edge research and development currently underway in the state and overseas. His efforts have resulted in guest lectures, international collaborations, joint curriculum development, and post secondary support of student research in biotechnology.
Burlington – Sea Box Inc.
Sea Box employs several graduates of Burlington County Institute of Technology, as well as current students in the areas of welding, engineering and drafting. Sea Box sells and leases new and used ISO shipping containers, cargo containers, mobile storage containers, and refrigerated containers for scores of applications and a diverse customer base which stretches world-wide. In addition to shipping and mobile storage containers, they have also built telecommunication shelters, generator stations and water purification stations for their customers.
Camden – TD Bank
Bruce McKelvy of TD Bank, N.A., formerly Commerce Bank, has been volunteering and assisting at Camden County Technical Schools for several years. He has served as a keynote speaker at an Academic Business Connections Luncheon, speaking on “Ethics in the Workplace” to many educators and business representatives. In addition, Mr. McKelvy currently serves as an advisory board member on the business advisory council. He has also helped the school district obtain sponsorship of various events, including the golf tournament and ABC Luncheon Lectures.
Cape May – Diane Wieland, Director of Tourism, Cape May County
Diane Wieland, Director of Tourism for Cape May County, joined the National Academy Foundation advisory board at Cape May Technical School when the school launched the academy concept for the school’s travel and tourism program. One of the key components of the National Academy Foundation is an active advisory board of industry professionals to help improve education and career preparation, and for the past six years Ms. Wieland has contributed to the success of the program and students. She has included students as her guests at several tourism conferences sponsored by the county, providing them with the opportunity to meet government officials and hear professionals address the issues facing the travel and tourism industry locally, regionally and beyond.
Essex – Symphony Printing
Symphony Printing, a family-owned, award-winning printer, developed a partnership with the Essex County Vocational Technical Schools five years ago. Symphony Printing has employed students in work-study jobs, giving the students experience in rush-project assignments. Symphony Printing has afforded students the opportunity to work as receptionists, office assistants, junior press operators and assembly/bindery operators. Describing the students as “technically top-notch and great learners,” Symphony Printing has retained several ECVTS students for full time employment in many areas of the printing field.
Gloucester – Linda Trimbach, Nova Care
Linda Trimbach has supported the Academy of Allied Health and Medical Science program since its inception. Students participate in a field experience each year by visiting Nova Care in Woodbury, where Ms. Trimbach and her staff explain various physical and occupational therapy modalities. The staff demonstrates the use of various equipment and students get a chance to try various treatments. Students learn about the many opportunities in physical and occupational therapy fields, as well as the educational requirements and criteria necessary to be successful in these fields.
Hudson – Laurence Parisi
Architect Laurence Parisi serves Hudson County Schools of Technology as a member of the advisory committee for computer assisted drafting and design, providing valuable feedback on the latest trends in the architectural industry, as well as advice on curriculum and equipment upgrades. He also serves as a guest lecturer on careers in architecture. Mr. Parisi also serves as a valuable partner to the school’s internship program, providing a number of students the opportunity to experience a true architectural internship.
Hudson – Mayo, Lynch & Associates Inc.
Grace Lynch and John Curry from the architectural firm Mayo, Lynch & Associates have been an invaluable asset to students of Hudson County Schools of Technology. For the last ten years, they have hired a number of students and continuously hired two interns from the computer assisted drafting class. While serving as interns, students are able to interact with professional engineers and architects, learning critical work and life skills that are beyond their traditional classroom instruction.
Hunterdon – Markirk Salon
Markirk Salon owners Marlena and Kirk Smith have volunteered every year to make presentations to Hunterdon County Polytech cosmetology students on hair cutting and coloring. The salon owners also instruct the students about professionalism and what can be expected when working in the field. Since this relationship has grown, the salon has employed several Polytech graduates.
Mercer – Lawrence Lexus
For more than 15 years, Lawrence Lexus has played a major role in hiring apprentice level technicians from Mercer County Technical Schools’ Sypek Center. Currently, eight Sypek Center graduates are employed at the company. During the past two years, the school has received a level of support unmatched by any other service department in the area, thanks to the contributions of Service Director Matt Torretta. The dealership became involved with supporting the Skills USA contest by providing three master level technicians to judge school events. Matt also mentors students.
Mercer – Taylor Wiseman & Taylor
Bob Boer and the staff from Taylor Wiseman & Taylor have provided support to the architectural and engineering design program at the Mercer County Technical Schools’ Assunpink Center. In addition to attending advisory committee meetings twice a year, Taylor Wiseman & Taylor have delivered specialized training to students, judged local SkillsUSA competitions and hired cooperative education students, with many students being hired upon completion of the program.
Middlesex – Galaxy II
Earl Creighton is a 1967 machine shop graduate of Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School who has employed students from his alma mater every year for the past 20 years. Mr. Creighton, an active supporter and life-long advocate of vocational education, owns a successful machine shop business, Galaxy II. The New Brunswick shop provides services to both small and large companies including those from the pharmaceutical, electronics and fiber-optic industry sectors. Mr. Creighton is also an active member of the school’s Business Advisory Committee.
Morris – Serene, Serene Salon
Randy Chavarria, owner of Serene, Serene Salon in Denville, has been active on the Advisory Council of the Morris County Schools of Technology for several years. He has served as a guest speaker on numerous occasions for the School of Cosmetology, serving as a valuable resource to students.
Ocean – Tuckerton Seaport
The Ocean County Vocational Technical School partnership with the Tuckerton Seaport allows students from the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) to gain extensive learning experiences about the natural resources of the Barnegat Bay. The Seaport has also employed several students as interns during the summer, providing students with valuable lessons in skills and seamanship that will last a lifetime. The Tuckerton Seaport, once known as the Barnegat Bay Decoy and Baymen’s Museum, has evolved into a 40-acre historic maritime village located along historic Tuckerton Creek.
Passaic – Metal Components
Metal Components of Paterson has partnered with Passaic County Technical Institute consistently since 1998. This partnership provides students with work-based learning opportunities in the form of job shadowing, internships and cooperative education. Metal Components provides technical assistance to the school’s manufacturing technology instructors. Metal Components serves on the school’s advisory committee, helping to update the curriculum and equipment.
Salem – South Jersey Gas
South Jersey Gas Company has had a measurable impact on the Salem County Vocational Technical School district as well as the entire community. Because of their interest and concern for the future of the workforce in the energy field, the company was instrumental in helping create the district’s Academy for Energy Applications. Company representatives helped formulate curriculum and build the academy program.
Somerset – Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano
Somerset County Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano was selected as Somerset County Vocational & Technical Schools Business Partner of the Year for his assistance in developing the school’s Law & Public Safety Program. Sheriff Provenzano serves on the advisory board for the two-year-old program, while two officers from his department serve as teachers. Staff from the Sheriff’s Department Canine United Special Response Team have conducted workshops that provide hands-on learning for the students.
Union – New Jersey Youth Corps
New Jersey Youth Corps has been an active supporter of the Union County Vocational-Technical School District for many years. New Jersey Youth Corps sponsored a division of Youth Corps in the city of Plainfield, meeting many of the needs of out-of-school youth in the community through a program of community service. The initial program has since been expanded to include a return to high school through the district’s Adult High School program. The success of the Plainfield program spawned a similar program in the city of Elizabeth.
Warren – Deborah Gregorakis, Outlooks For Hair salon in Phillipsburg
Deborah Gregorakis of the Outlooks For Hair salon in Phillipsburg has presented demonstrations at the Warren County Technical School several times, giving cosmetology students techniques used in her salon. Ms. Gregorakis has been a big supporter of the school’s cosmetology program, hiring many of students.
