2009 Business Partners of the Year
Atlantic – Atlantic City Hotel Lodging Association
Since the first academy of the Atlantic County Institute of Technology opened in 2000, the Atlantic City Hotel Lodging Association has partnered with the school. The organization has provided scholarships to culinary and hospitality students each year since the partnership began. In addition, the Chief Executive, Howard Bacharach, has been a member of the advisory board for the past three years. Before him, two presidents of ACHLA have served as chairman and members of our advisory board. ACHLA has helped obtain student internships with several casinos and hotels in Atlantic City and still continues its support through participation in the school’s annual fundraiser, the Daffodil Dinner. Their involvement has contributed greatly to the success of the Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management.
Bergen – BMW of North America, LLC
The partnership between Bergen County Technical High School’s Automotive Engineering and Design Program and Corporate BMW of North America has been amazing. Each year BMW hosts an interactive tour at its Woodcliff Lake headquarters for students, emphasizing BMW’s commitment to green technologies such as hydrogen-fueled vehicles and water-based paint. BMW staff have visited the Teterboro campus and provided technical demonstrations on vehicles including the H7 Hydrogen Car and Mini-E Electric Mini, affording students hands-on instruction on vehicles currently in the experimental phase of development. Craig Czock, corporate BMW staff member, has attended several open houses, informing parents and prospective students about the partnership and changes made to automotive program to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century. Craig has served on the automotive advisory board helping ensure our program remains on the cutting edge. Currently, three 12th-grade students are interning at BMW’s headquarters.
Burlington – Radwell International
Brian Radwell is President and CEO of Radwell International which sells and repairs industrial electrical and electronic control devices. The company sells and repairs timers, counters, circuit breakers, motors, speed controls, and other devices used to make machinery run. Specifically, Radwell services auto makers, chemical plants, food processing facilities, government, power plants, amusement parks, steel plants and a long list of other business sectors. Radwell’s newest division, PlcCenter.com is the world’s largest provider of new and used surplus, industrial electrical and electronic equipment in the world. They buy back new and used controls from plant closings and auctions, re-manufacture the parts, then package them as new and sell them for half of the original value. Last year, Radwell grossed $40 million and continues to grow. Today, Radwell International employs over 300 people including 20 graduates and 1 cooperative education student from BCIT.
Camden – Rio Supply
Jonathan Boston from Rio Supply hires Camden County Technical Schools students as co-operative education students and has also promoted two of those students into full-time employees. Mr. Coston serves on the advisory board and is always available for assistance. His company is “green” and works throughout the state supplying digital, regular, and energy-saving meters to communities.
Cape May – Gentilini Ford and Chevrolet
Don Gentilini, owner of Gentilini Ford and Chevrolet in Woodbine, has been an active proponent of the Cape May County Technical School. He has served on the Automotive Technology advisory committee and for the past five years his dealership has provided a car for the district’s “behind the wheel” driver education course at no cost to the district. Gentilini Ford was started by Don’s parents more than 50 years ago. He is the second generation in the family business and his nephew is part of the third generation to work at the Woodbine-based business. Mr. Gentilini serves on the board of directors for Cape May County Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Woodbine Chamber of Commerce.
Cumberland – Cumberland County Workforce Investment Board
The Cumberland County One Stop Career Center’s commitment to the programs at Cumberland County Technical Education Center is a tribute to the educational community and students. The cooperative relationship between CCTEC and the One Stop Career Center has proven to be a valuable asset to students interested in acquiring skills necessary for 21st Century in-demand careers.
Essex – PSEG
PSEG does more than talk about partnership: It acts. The company’s active collaboration with Essex County Vocational Technical Schools is evident in PSEG’s advice, its access to facilities, its advocacy for program growth, the grants the company provides, the participation of its staff in NJCCVTS state-wide Career and Technical Education conferences, the involvement of ECVTS in PSEG-sponsored workforce development planning sessions and the overwhelming support the company provides for the Green Energy Academy at Bloomfield Tech. Moreover, PSEG’s active partnering in career development for young people is evident as the company continues to foster the dual enrollment of ECVT students from both Bloomfield and Newark Tech in Essex County College. This consistent effort over many years has had a continued impact on the lives of ECVTS students. Through the company’s liaison, Rosa Schmidt, PSEG is improving Career and Technical Education and is making a positive difference for students and teachers through its consistent commitment.
Gloucester – Ritz Theatre Company
The Ritz Theatre Company and Producing/Artistic Director Bruce Curless have given the Gloucester County Institute of Technology Drama Department a great deal of support. Mr. Curless has been a member the department’s Advisory Committee for four years and served as chairperson for two of those four years. His expertise in both theater and business has been very helpful to the department and the students. The Ritz Theatre Company has loaned costumes and props for student productions, and an internship is offered to GCIT students.
Hudson – Cosi Restaurant
Cosi, a local food establishment in the Hudson County community, has partnered with Hudson County Schools of Technology and County Prep High School for several years. Cosi representatives play an active role on the Advisory Board of the CPHS Culinary Arts Department and act as proctors for the Culinary Arts Technical Skills Assessment Tests of Completion. Recently, Cosi participated in the revamping of Hudson County Schools of Technology’s district mission statement. More than just a community business, Cosi has become a friend to HCST, opening its doors to students in various programs. More than 50 students have been given the opportunity to work in Cosi’s three restaurants. Cosi has mentored and worked closely with our staff to structure a personal learning plan to meet the needs of all students.
Hunterdon – Flemington Rotary
Flemington Rotary has been an outstanding partner in providing Hunterdon County Polytech students with opportunities to participate in community service events using their career and technical skills and raising scholarship funds for students to continue their studies. Students have been able to showcase their talents, skills and community spirit by volunteering in events, such as the Ride for Rotary, the Annual Pancake Breakfast, the T-Shirt Art Work competition, the Soup Cook Off, and others. These opportunities allow students from specific programs to apply what they have learned and help in different areas. For example, for the Ride for Rotary event, culinary arts students served and made chili, corn-on-the-cob, salads, clams and desserts. Law enforcement students assisted with parking while commercial art and graphic art students competed in the t-shirt design competition where every rider received a t-shirt.
Mercer – Workforce Investment Board
The collaboration between Mercer County Technical Schools and the Mercer County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) has been an essential element for student success. The Healthcare Committee of the WIB, represented by acute care hospitals, long term care centers, schools, colleges, etc., has established concentrated support of the following initiatives: campaigning for the full-time four year high school program which opened in September, 2010; apprenticeship career opportunities as pharmacy technicians through CVS and Caremark; customized training for the practical nursing program for adults. Beverly Mills is the Director of the Workforce Investment Board and has offered tremendous support for a variety of educational initiatives.
Middlesex – JFK Medical Center
The 2009 recipient of the Middlesex County Business Partnership award is JFK Medical Center. Sara Lazarus BSN, RN-BC, clinical educator for the facility, supports and coordinates all clinical site activities for the students in the Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences program. JFK Medical Center partners with the Academy to provide students with the opportunity to extend their educational instruction into an actual clinical observational experience. The relationship between JFK Medical Center and the Middlesex County Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences is extremely beneficial as it further assists in satisfying the clinical hours and career shadowing requirements of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey for college credit. The relationship with JFK Medical Center has grown over the past two years. Ms. Lazarus has been instrumental in creating a program that is valuable to students seeking a career in medicine. She has practiced as a registered nurse in several clinical areas throughout the United States. As an educator within the Solaris Health Care System she was eager to share her knowledge with the students and identified the importance of the clinical partnership between facilities. She is a dedicated member of the Business Advisory Committee.
Monmouth – Birdsall Engineering
Birdsall Engineering has been actively involved with Monmouth County’s High Technology High School since its inception, with representatives sitting on the HTHS Advisory Board. Each semester at least one senior has the opportunity to work side-by-side with a Birdsall engineer as part of the school’s Senior Mentorship Program. A number of HTHS graduates have been employed as summer interns at Birdsall, and others have become full time employees. Additionally, Birdsall has provided financial support by contributing to the PFA scholarship program and covering the expense of the alumni website.
Morris – Intex Commercial Door Systems
The Morris County Vocational School District is proud of its partnership with Intex Commercial Door Systems, a door and architectural hardware distributor located in Randolph. The district began its affiliation with Intex over three years ago. The company has been actively involved with the internship program, placing students in internship positions within the company. For example, students in the welding program have worked in the production area for the construction of commercial grade steel doors and frames. Additionally, students from the Academy of Finance and International Business program have worked in the areas of bookkeeping, accounting and payroll.
Ocean – Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 9
Training Coordinator Timothy Fox and Instructor John Bennett have worked extensively with the Ocean County Vocational School District during the past year in preparation for the school’s new plumbing program. They have met with district staff and advised them on how to set up the shop, helped to order supplies, materials and equipment. All of this was needed to start the plumbing program. They were experts who were gracious and generous in offering their time and expertise.
Passaic – Sax Macy Fromm
Founded in 1956, Sax Macy Fromm & Co., PC services small and medium size businesses in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. It is one of the largest single-office accounting and business consulting firms in the area. Sax Macy Fromm has partnered with Passaic County Technical Institute consistently since 2000. This partnership has provided students with work-based learning opportunities in the form of internships and cooperative education in accounting and business. Sax Macy Fromm (Allan Wolf – Chairman of the Board of the Academy of Finance) serves on the advisory board for the Academy of Finance. Sax Macy Fromm has assisted the district in obtaining established goals and developing skills for our students to sustain themselves as adults in the labor force and careers in finance.
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 – Victor Jinotti, Autosport Honda
Victor Jinotti, Service Manager of Autosport Honda of Bridgewater, has been an outstanding Business Partner. He was instrumental in employing four Automotive Cooperative Industrial Education (CIE) students and graduates of Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School in 2009. Mr. Jinotti oversees the continuing education and training of his service technicians. He shares his expertise with the new employees to help them become proficient in the latest technology. Working side by side with Joseph Maimone, CIE Coordinator at SCVTHS, Mr. Jinotti shares his evaluation of the SCVTHS technicians’ progress. Most importantly, Mr. Jinotti continues to offer employment opportunities to SCVTHS graduates and should be commended for assisting in furthering their career goals. Mr.Jinotti is a resident of Watchung. Prior to becoming a Service Manager at Autosport Honda of Bridgewater, he worked in Honda Sales for five years.
Sussex – Wayne VanHorn
Wayne VanHorn has worked with Sussex County Technical School in a advisory capacity and cooperative employer for the last 10 years. Well over 15 students have been employed during that time. Many of the students were from our special needs population and Mr. Van Horn took the special challenge and helped to make all the students successful in their work experience. He should be recognized as a great supporter of Sussex County Technical School.
Union – Honeywell International
Honeywell International has been a long-time supporter of all programs at Union County Vocational-Technical Schools. During the past year, Honeywell provided a $30,000 grant to the district to develop a green technology teacher training program. They supported the curriculum development process and provided the opportunity for middle school teachers to learn about energy efficiency, sustainability and other environmentally sensitive concepts. The hands-on program was an interactive experience to help educators learn the latest methods for teaching green and sustainable topics to middle school students, using the Vo-Tech campus as a laboratory for green technology, sustainable living and environmental consciousness. The curriculum was designed by UCVTS teachers and combined experienced school staff with Honeywell experience, tools and experts.
Warren – Hackettstown Regional Medical Center
Hackettstown Regional Medical Center has been providing clinical exposure for junior and senior health science students at Warren County Technical School for the past two years. This involvement has given students opportunities to shadow a health care professional in a variety of departments in the medical center. In addition, they are exposed to all aspects of the medical center. Kim Forman, Administrative Director of the center has been very helpful working with the district’s instructor, setting up the details to visit twice a week. The students all feel welcome by their staff and look forward to the next time they have clinic. Medical Center staff are also an active part of the school’s advisory board, and have been into the school several times to talk to the students.
