Under the Hood newsletter | February 2022




The official newsletter of TECHFORCE FOUNDATION®

February 15, 2022

STEM Career Center’s new truck brings activities to Gen Z nationwide

2022-01_TechForce Foundation STEM Center Penske Truck Unveil-102-1TechForce unveiled its new 26’ specially equipped box truck donated by Penske Truck Leasing to support our mobile STEM Career Center! The truck features a custom wrap done by Roush, awnings, TVs and the storage to move our 2,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits specifically designed to engage Gen Z and help them discover rewarding careers as professional technicians. Thank you to Penske Truck Leasing and all other donors, including Shell Lubricants, Ford Motor Company, Snap-on and Sunstate Equipment who support the STEM Career Center>>

 

Last chance – Join the RevUp Campaign before it ends

Screen Shot 2022-02-02 at 11.29.09 PMThere is only one day left to claim your discount with TechForce’s first-ever cause marketing campaign! Join WD-40® Brand, Advance Auto Parts and The Humble Mechanic to support a new generation of trade professionals. Act now – the RevUp Campaign ends Wednesday, Feb. 16! Learn more at TechForce.org/RevUp>>

 

#WomenTechsRock Meet aviation technician Elena Gonzalez

2022-01_WTR Elena GonzalezMeet Elena Gonzalez, an aviation technician and founder of the FixFlyTravel Project. Elena began her technician training when she was 14 years old. She believed she could succeed as a technician thanks to the example set by her teacher, a woman tech who also served as Elena’s mentor. Hear Elena’s story>>

Help us inspire more technicians like Elena. Tell TechForce about a woman technician who rocks>>

 

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TechForce elects its 2022 Board Officers

Angie Babin, VP of Supply Chain with Caliber Collision, has been elected President/Chair of TechForce’s 2022 Board of Directors. Additionally, Kim McCullough and John Heenan have been named Vice Chairs, David Ellis named Treasurer, and Chris Blanchette the Immediate Past President. Read the full announcement along with the complete list of board members here>>

 

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Donate your car, RV or boat to TechForce (It’s tax-deductible and easy!)

Donate your car, RV or boat to TechForce. Our partner, CarDonationWizard, handles all steps, makes it easy for you, and turns your tax-deductible donation into dollars that support our mission. Learn more and donate your vehicle today>>

 

TechForce gives students unique experiences during Arizona Auto Week

2022-01_TechForce Foundation 2022 STEM Career Center Penske Truck Unveil-139-1-1TechForce and its partner Shell Oil Company provided more than 100 students with tickets to Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, and a behind the scenes tour which included lunch, the ability to stand on the auction stage, get up close with some of the 1800+ auction cars, and learn about a technician’s role in making the auction happen.

2022-01_Weinberger Experience Arizona Auto Week-1

Additionally, TechForce teamed up with the John F. Weinberger Driven to Care program to offer select students an intimate VIP tour of British Automotive Repair, Vintage Iron and Restoration, and RM Sotheby’s Auction at the Arizona Biltmore. To attend upcoming free events, join TechForce’s social network>>

 

Thank you to TechForce Foundation’s top-tier corporate partners!

 

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TechForce elects first female Board Chair, announces 2022 Board of Directors

Angie Babin of Caliber Collision elected Chair
of TechForce Foundation Board of Directors

New Officers & Board Members named

February 8, 2022 – SCOTTSDALE, AZ – TechForce Foundation announces Angie Babin, VP of Supply Chain with Caliber Collision has been elected President/Chair of its Board of Directors. TechForce also announces its 2022 officers and board members, including high-level executives, experts and educators from throughout the transportation industry.

“Since joining the Board in 2018, Angie Babin has made significant contributions to the organization’s success, including her leadership as Vice Chair and her work on TechForce’s Resource Development Committee,” said Chris Blanchette of Advance Auto Parts, Immediate Past President/Chair of the TechForce Board. “Angie is the first woman to serve as Chair of TechForce Foundation’s Board. We look forward to her continued leadership and great things to come.”

TechForce also welcomes Michelle Johnson, Senior Manager, Aftersales Training for Nissan North America, Inc. as the newest Director to join the Board. She brings expertise earned over more than 20 years in the industry, working with brands including Nissan North America, Infiniti Motor Company and Ford Motor Company.

“We are proud to welcome Michelle Johnson to the Board,” says Jennifer Maher, TechForce Foundation CEO. “Serving on the TechForce Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Council since 2021, Michelle is well acquainted with TechForce Foundation’s mission. We look forward to her continued contributions in her new role on our Board of Directors.”

The composition of TechForce Foundation’s 12-member Board of Directors includes:

Officers:

   – Angie Babin, Chair/President, Vice President of Supply Chain, Caliber Collision (Texas)
   – Chris Blanchette, Immediate Past President, VP Strategic Store Operations, Advance Auto Parts (North Carolina)
   – Kim McCullough, Vice Chair, Formerly Jaguar/Land Rover (New Jersey)
   – John Heenan, Vice Chair, Owner/CEO, Ten November Management (Pennsylvania)
   – David Ellis, Treasurer, Owner, Ellis Automotive (Illinois)
   – Jennifer Maher, Secretary, CEO, TechForce Foundation (Arizona)

Directors:

   – Barrett Crane, National Sales Manager – Education Sales, Snap-on Industrial (Wisconsin)
   – Mark Ferner, Senior Manager, Technical Operations, Bridgestone Retail Operations (Tennessee)
   – Mike Hoffman, Vice President, Facilities, Equipment & Maintenance, FedEx Freight (Tennessee)
   – Michelle Johnson, Senior Manager, Aftersales Training, Nissan North America, Inc. (Tennessee)
   – Denise Kingstrom, Supply Chain Director, Coatings Solutions, BASF Corporation (Texas)
   – Cody Metcalf, Instructor, EVIT – East Valley Institute of Technology (Arizona)

TechForce Foundation board member biographies, roles and photographs can be found on the organization’s website at www.techforce.org/about/#bod

About TechForce Foundation

TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion all students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $1.2 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and spearheads an industry-wide workforce development initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. This includes a network of students, working technicians, instructors, employers, industry professionals and enthusiasts committed to championing the technician workforce. For more information, visit www.techforce.org. Follow us on Facebook, InstagramTwitter and Linkedin.

Links

Photos & bios: https://techforce.org/about/#bod

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Please share your contact details and a TechForce team member will contact you.


"By connecting students, instructors, industry pros and working techs, the TechForce Foundation provides unilateral support to the transportation industry’s technician recruiting needs… The administration of our Scholarships by the TechForce team has been instrumental in delivering us with a successful method to gain interest from qualified candidates as well as provide our students with additional assistance to complete their education."
Tony Farr
Ford Technical Programs Manager