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Author: Dev Admin

Bertoti Family announces memorial scholarship to continue in perpetuity

 

By Greg Settle, TechForce Foundation Director of National Initiatives

 

TechForce Foundation® Willy Bertoti Memorial Scholarship to Continue in Perpetuity

 

At Pottstown High School memorial gathering, Bertoti family
announces the Memorial Scholarship to continue in Willy’s memory

 

Pottstown, PA – October 5, 2019 – It has been five years since Willy Bertoti, an automotive instructor at Pottstown High School in Pottstown, PA passed away unexpectedly. Willy made an impact on everyone his life touched, and especially his students. To honor Willy, friends and co-workers set up the Willy Bertoti Memorial Scholarship Fund with TechForce Foundation, shortly after his passing. To date, there have been seven scholarship recipients receiving support to attend Universal Technical Institute in Exton, PA.

On Saturday, October 5th, a celebration was held at Pottstown High School in honor of Willy. The memorial was organized by the Federation of Pottstown Teachers, among which Willy counted many friends. A small grassy area next to the school’s football field was set aside and dedicated in his memory as a place for reflection and meditation. The special area now is home to a beautiful shade tree, surrounded by flowers. To complete the memorial setting, a very special bench was unveiled, hand-built over many hours by the current automotive class students, constructed mostly from truck parts.

The overarching theme throughout the celebration, as one person after another recalled their memories of Willy, was how much difference one caring person can make in the lives of others.

At the closing of the celebration, Willy’s widow Dolores, along with her son Christopher, announced that the Memorial Scholarship Fund is being set up as a perpetual fund to ensure Pottstown High School students will always benefit from the support of the fund, and to ensure Willy’s memory will live on.

Donations to the fund can be made to the Willy Bertoti Memorial Scholarship Fund at https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/TECHFORCE/team/WilliamLBertoti

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Las Vegas School Benefits from Transportation Industry Collaboration

NEWS RELEASE

Las Vegas School Benefits from Transportation Industry Collaboration

TechForce and Las Vegas Concours supporting SECTA with an Extreme Shop Make Over

LAS VEGAS, NV, October 4, 2019 – TechForce Foundation announces its Extreme Shop Makeover of the auto shop program at Southeast Career Technical Academy (SECTA) in Las Vegas. TechForce has brought together great brands like Shell/Pennzoil, Universal Technical Institute, Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance and Barrett-Jackson to provide SECTA students an inspiring learning environment. At 10:15AM on Friday, Oct 4, one-hundred and twenty students from SECTA will be unveiling their vison for the makeover at the TechForce STEM Center Presented by Shell Powered by Pennzoil at the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction. They will all be treated to behind the scenes VIP tours accompanied by TV celebrities Bogi Latiner from Motor Trend’s All Girls Garage, and Jeff Allen of CNBC’s Car Chasers. Two lucky students will be opening the day’s auction by dropping the gavel on live television at 11AM.

TechForce is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with the mission of championing students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. “We have a significant shortage of tech trained workforce in the automotive industry. Young adults have been encouraged for decades that the road to success is through a four-year college. Today more than ever opportunities for secure, well-paying careers in the automotive industry come through tech training,” shares Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation. “These are no longer blue-collar, but new-collar careers with a great paycheck. These jobs can’t be outsourced or shipped overseas, and are in high-demand. People talk about jobs, jobs, jobs: this is where good paying jobs are now and into the future.”

“We are so proud to have TechForce as our charity partner for the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance opening night Gala on Oct. 25th at the Keep Memory Alive Event Center.” Said Stuart Sobek, founder and chairman of the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance. “It will be a spectacular night of entertainment and our goal is to leave a legacy in our community by supporting the garage makeover at the Southeast Career Technical Academy, we have dedicated a percentage of ticket sales, an online and silent auction that will support our efforts.”  For tickets: https://www.lasvegasconcours.com/tickets. Long-time supporters of the TechForce mission, Shell, Pennzoil and Universal Technical Institute, are the Gala’s sponsors.

Ryan Cordia, Principal, Southeast TECH said, "At Southeast Career Technical Academy we strongly believe in providing real-world job training for our students, and then getting them to work. We have awesome students who are ready to be leaders in the field thanks to our amazing instructors. Tech Force shares our vision to support high skill workforce development and job placement. We are very excited to cultivate this partnership and continue the workforce pipeline getting our high skilled students into high skill job opportunities."

Two other noteworthy industry developments include Jennifer Maher being named Woman of the Year by Women in Auto Care. Also, she was named the dually-appointed CEO of both TechForce Foundation and America’s Automotive Trust, two national nonprofits working collaboratively to promote car culture and to encourage development of a future workforce of technicians.

About TechForce Foundation

TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $2.0 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and spearheads an industry-wide initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. For more information, visit www.techforce.org.

About Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance (LVCE)

In the inaugural year, the 2019 Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance brings the historic automobile show to the entertainment capital of the world. LVCE exhibits over 20 classes of rare and unique automobiles invited from around the world, most never before shown in Las Vegas. The four-day event will be hosted at some of Las Vegas’ most prestigious locations including, the Keep Memory Alive Event Center, DragonRidge Country Club at MacDonald Highlands and the iconic Las Vegas Blvd (The Las Vegas Strip). Proceeds from the celebrity golf tournament will benefit the LVCE/ArtCenter Scholarship Fund. For more information, visit lasvegasconcours.com or follow @LasVegasConcours on Facebook and Instagram.

About Shell and Pennzoil

Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with operations in more than 70 countries. In the U.S., Shell operates in 50 states and employs more than 20,000 people working to help tackle the challenges of the new energy future. The Shell downstream organization manages a portfolio of top-quality brands, including the No. 1 selling premium gasoline, Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Premium Gasoline, No. 1 selling gasoline, Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines, and Pennzoil®, the best-selling, most trusted and preferred motor oil brand in America.

Media Contacts

For TechForce Foundation: Mike Pressendo, mpressendo@techforcefoundation.org, 623-445-9354

For Barrett-Jackson: Matt Ferguson, mferguson@barrett-jackson.com, 480-440-7316

For Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance: Julian Lupo, julianl@quillinlv.com, 702-818-1637

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TechForce CEO Jennifer Maher named Auto Care Woman of the Year

Originally published on TireBusiness.com October 1, 2019.

TechForce CEO Jennifer Maher named Auto Care Woman of the Year

BETHESDA, Md. — October 1, 2019 — Women in Auto Care, a community of the Auto Care Association, has named TechForce Foundation CEO Jennifer Maher as its Auto Care Woman of the Year.

The 2019 Women of the Year Awards, which also include the “Auto Care Woman of Excellence” and “Female Shop Owner of the Year,” will be presented during the Women in Auto Care awards ceremony and reception on Nov. 5 at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas during the AAPEX event.

Ms. Maher serves as CEO of TechForce Foundation, a national nonprofits working to promote car culture and to encourage development of a future workforce of technicians. TechForce provides scholarships and grants to support students pursuing technical education and technician careers. She previously served on the national team of Make-A-Wish America, YMCA of the USA and The Nature Conservancy. She personally raised over $100 million and launched the ESPN SportsCenter’s “My Wish” series, now in its 14th year.

The 2019 Women in Autocare award winners are (clockwise, from top, left) Jamie Carlson, Female Shop Owner of the Year; Cindy Frasca, Auto Care Woman of Excellence; and Jennifer Maher, Auto Care Woman of the Year.

The other award winners are:

  • Auto Care Woman of Excellence: Cindy Frasca, chief operating officer of Kukui, a provider of software and websites for auto repair shops. She has spent the last seven years helping the company grow, culminating in the recent $27 million strategic funding by SSM Partners. She is responsible for the company’s financial functions, including accounting, audit, treasury and corporate finance, as well as its human resources activities. Ms. Frasca “is a passionate and active member of Women in Auto Care and a champion for the the advancement of women within the automotive industry,” the association said.

 

  • Female Shop Owner of the Year: Jamie Carlson, owner of Ervine’s Auto Repair and Grand Rapids Hybrid of Grand Rapids, Mich. Her shop was awarded the 2018 ACE (Auto Care Career and Education) Award in recognition of her dedication to investing in the growth of their employees’ knowledge and skills through access to professional development and career opportunities. “The Women of the Year Awards honor three outstanding female leaders who have made significant contributions to the auto care community,” Tammy Tecklenburg, president, Women in Auto Care, said. “This is the 16th annual presentation of the Auto Care Women of the Year awards, and we are honored to be able to continue to shine a light on the tremendous value women are bringing to our industry.”

The Women of the Year awards are administered by Women in Auto Care volunteer committee members. The Woman of the Year is chosen based on her significant leadership and contributions to the auto care community throughout her career.

The Female Shop Owner of the Year award is given to an outstanding woman who has a proven record of excellence in the automotive service industry, and the Woman of Excellence award recipient is the Women in Auto Care associate who has provided recent outstanding contributions to the auto care industry.

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Student profile: Daimler Trucks North America ‘Finish First’ scholarship recipient Twyla

 

Student receives Daimler Trucks North America ‘Finish First’ scholarship

 

Meet Twyla. Thanks to TechForce Foundation’s “Daimler Trucks North America ‘Finish First’ MSAT” Scholarship, Twyla completed her advanced technician training earlier this summer and is now pursuing her dream of a career as a professional transportation technician.

 

A portrait of Twyla, recipient of Daimler Trucks North America's Finish First Scholarship

TechForce Foundation heard from Twyla before her graduation, as she reflected on her career choice and the doors her scholarship opened for her.

 

“Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been fascinated with the concept of how things work, how they interact with each other, and being able to take things apart and put them back together. I used to watch my stepdad repair vehicles in his garage as a child.” Twyla said, explaining how she first discovered her interest in transportation technician careers. “As I got older, I became more and more interested in learning how components work and worked with each other. Now that I am pursuing my dreams of being a technician, I want to pass down the knowledge to my daughter.”

 

“…being a technician… is like doing a puzzle. You figure out what the problem is, and then you fix it. I love it!”

Like many aspiring technicians Twyla began her education on her own in her garage at home in New Mexico. When Twyla was admitted to a professional technician training program in Phoenix, Ariz. Twyla was faced with a new set of challenges, not the least of which was the time away from family.

 

“Moving away from home has, by far, been the hardest obstacle I have ever had to overcome,” said Twyla. “I put my life on hold to get an education so I can provide a good future for my daughter. Being away from her is a hard obstacle, but knowing how much she looks up to me is what motivates me to keep going.”

 

Despite facing these challenges, once on campus Twyla chose to donate her time, insight and technical expertise to support her classmates, “I am a Peer Mentor to other students here on campus. I listen and give advice whenever students come to me with questions or for help.”

 

Twyla completed her manufacturer’s advanced training earlier this summer. “I really enjoy working on diesels/trucks. To me, being a technician… diagnosing and repairing a fault is like doing a puzzle. You figure out what the problem is, and then you fix it. I love it!”

 

Congratulations, Twyla! Thank you Daimler Trucks North America for your support of transportation technician students and Career and Technical Education through TechForce Foundation’s scholarships.

 

To apply for TechForce Foundation scholarships, visit techforce.org/scholarships

 

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TechForce Foundation announces sponsorship of TMCFutureTech skills competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TechForce Foundation® announces sponsorship of TMCFutureTech
skills competition for 3rd straight year

Expands support of nationwide competition for students in diesel technician programs

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., August 15, 2019 — TechForce Foundation®, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to champion students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians in the transportation industry has once again pledged their support of the TMCFutureTech national student technician competition as title sponsor. Hosted by the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), the competition is going strong in its 6th year, having begun in 2014. Approximately 60 students are expected to compete on September 16th in Raleigh, N.C. The format includes testing written knowledge as well as hands-on diagnostic skills. It is a competition that has proven to draw the best and brightest young students from around the country to compete. Many past participants have been immediately hired by some of the top employers in the trucking industry, and gone on to have rewarding careers.

According to Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation, “The competition is a prime example of what can be accomplished when organizations from across an industry come together with a single-minded purpose. In this case, that purpose is a commitment to support skills development in the young men and women who will be our future technicians of tomorrow.” Many of the companies that assist in running the skills testing stations, donating their time and equipment are competitors in the marketplace every day. However, that is all put aside for the greater cause when it comes to working together in the competition.

TechForce has also doubled down on its involvement this year. In addition to the title sponsorship, it has set up a new online sponsorship process. This allows interested individuals or organizations from industry to easily sign up to sponsor one or more students in the competition. This is especially important, as all contestants must be sponsored to enter. Sponsors are able to pay online by credit card, and as TechForce is a 501(c)(3) foundation, receipts are provided to sponsors for tax donation purposes. Further information on sponsorships is available at techforce.org/TMC2019

About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $2.0 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and is spearheading FutureTech Success®, the industry-wide initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. For more information, visit techforce.org.

About TMC
TMC is America’s premier technical society for truck equipment technology and maintenance professionals. Comprised of a broad cross-section of experienced fleets, equipment suppliers and service providers, no other industry trade association can match the real-world experience and technical expertise of TMC’s membership. By providing leadership support and opportunities to collaborate, TMC helps members develop the industry’s best practices that address the critical truck technology and maintenance issues that have the greatest impact on truck fleets. For more than 60 years, TMC’s member-driven Recommended Maintenance and Engineering Practices have been setting the standards that help trucking companies specify and maintain their fleets more effectively. Find out more about TMC online at tmc.trucking.org.

Media Contacts
For TechForce Foundation: Mike Pressendo, mpressendo@techforce.org, 623-445-9354 or 602-363-8861

For TMC: Robert Braswell, rbraswel@trucking.org, 703-838-1776

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FedEx Freight and TechForce Announce New Sponsorship

                     Logo of FedEx Freight, TechForce Foundation's newest corporate sponsor. FedEx and TechForce have teamed up to close the skills gap, and inspire, support and connect technician students to careers.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

FedEx® Freight Supports TechForce Foundation®’s FutureTech Success® Campaign

The company joins the growing industry-wide initiative to close the skills gap and fuel the next generation of technicians

 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 23, 2019 — FedEx Freight is joining forces with TechForce Foundation and the FutureTech Success campaign to raise awareness of trade and technical careers and address the growing demand for technicians in the transportation industry.

 

As the result of decades of pushing the message to students that a 4-year degree is the only path to a desirable career, today’s workforce faces a serious problem. A staggering amount of college graduates leave school without serious job prospects for their degree. Meanwhile, jobs in the skilled trades remain unfilled because there are not enough qualified candidates.

 

By joining the FutureTech Success campaign FedEx® Freight has shown its commitment to re-positioning the perception of the technician profession from the outdated grease monkey stigma to a high-demand, high-growth STEM career. The campaign seeks to reach parents and influencers of today’s middle- and high-school students to highlight the rewarding, high-tech and in-demand career of transportation technicians.

 

“It is our privilege to support an organization that knows the value of investing in technical career education and opportunities for the future success of students and fleets,” said Michael Hoffman, Vice President of Facilities, Equipment & Maintenance for FedEx Freight.

 

“TechForce is proud to partner with FedEx® Freight, a company who understands the gravity of the automotive and diesel tech shortage in America and is willing to join efforts to keep America rolling,” said Jennifer Maher, CEO and Executive Director of TechForce Foundation. “Their support will help us continue to close the skills gap and fuel future techs to reach their full potential in this career.”

 

About FedEx® Freight
Since 2001, connecting customers with opportunity has motivated the people of FedEx Freight, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and a leading provider of LTL freight services. We revolutionized the LTL industry with the priority and economy model, and we offer our customers both fast-transit delivery of time-sensitive freight (FedEx Freight Priority has the fastest published transit times of any nationwide LTL service) or cost-effective delivery when they can trade time for savings. Through more than 370 service centers and 25,000 motorized vehicles, FedEx Freight moves more than 115,000 LTL shipments each day throughout the U.S, Canada and Mexico. With a steadfast focus on Safety Above All, our 45,000 team members are driven to innovate for our customers and give back to the communities where we live and work. To learn more, please visit about.fedex.com.

 

About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $2.0 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and spearheads FutureTech Success®, the industry-wide initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. For more information, visit www.TechForce.org.

 

Media Contacts
For FedEx Freight: Miranda Harbor, Miranda.harbor@fedex.com, 901-434-39767
For TechForce Foundation: Mike Pressendo, mpressendo@techforce.org, 623-445-9354

 

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AMSOIL supports students through TechForce scholarships

Meet the Recipients of TechForce Foundation’s AMSOIL Scholarships

Thank you, AMSOIL, for your support for future technicians!

 

DRIVING TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE OF TECHNICIANS

Madeline, recipient of an AMSOIL scholarship and recent marine technology graduate

Madeline says, “I love living on the Gulf, and I have always been passionate about working with my hands. In high school I went to a tech school and loved every minute of it. My dream job is to become a Marine Mechanic. After I finish the Marine Program at MMI, I plan to go on to get my Captains license and scuba license.”

Even though Madeline knew this was her passion, starting out at MMI was a challenge.  “I came into this program far behind others. While my classmates partied and visited their family and friends on the weekends, I spent countless hours at the Library on YouTube, self-learning in order to catch up. I broke down often and questioned my ability to succeed. With the encouragement of my family and friends, I chose not to quit no matter how discouraged I became.”   Madeline passes that supportive encouragement forward in service to others.  “I have over 100+ hours in Community Service at Heritage House Ministries. HH is a non-profit group home for at risk teens. I grew up in foster care at this very same home and enjoy giving back to the place that protected me as a young girl.”

Madeline’s job requires her to drive around and deliver notices which mean taking the bus is not an option. “I recently started having issues with my car, and was later told I needed a new transmission. I live about 15 miles from my school and my work, and have to leave my house as early as 5am. If I don’t fix my car, I wouldn’t be able to keep my job and stay in school. The cost of diagnosing and replacing my transmission is more than I can afford. My financial instability is not because I am living outside of my means or not working. I am looking for help to ensure I can continue to work and stay in school.”

Upon hearing she would receive assistance from the AMSOIL “Life Happens” Grant she felt like “huge weight has been lifted.”  Madeline says, “I am greatly looking forward to focusing on school and being able to breathe again! Thank you for being so kind and for helping me out!”

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HELPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF TECHNICIANS SUCCEED

 

Garnik’s dream career is to be an engineer.  “That’s my dream and I will, and I am, working to make my dream reality with my friends and with the good people who care about others.”

Garnik grew up in Armenia. When he was teenager, he started to be interested in cars. “I was around sixteen years old when I started to disassemble my first car’s engine. It was tough for me, but with my dad’s friend’s help I reassembled the engine and ran it.” He’s had some obstacles, but his biggest was dealing with a new environment. “For me it was really tough, when I came to the United States. It was almost three years ago. I came alone, just left my whole family and came from the other side of the world. Believe me; it’s very difficult to start life alone without knowing the language of the country where you live. I got into the automotive business but nobody wanted to work with me because it’s hard to work with beginners. I was [frequently] ignored and pushed away, and my questions were unanswered. [However, I eventually began to learn from] the technicians and master [techs] with whom I used to work. As time was passed my work was got their attention. Eventually they understood that I’m a guy who really loves working with engines and electric components, they started becoming friendlier and taught me more. I’m really proud of myself. Now I can socialize with people, I can write and read in English, I can do what I love and make some money [while doing it].”

Garnik left automotive to get into the Marine industry. “It seems more interesting to me, more fun and there are different things to learn.”  He left his job to concentrate on his Marine classes when he had a setback: “I need financial help for my car which has a coolant leak… I want to finish school, I [only] have 10 weeks left… [but I need] help to stop [my car’s] radiator leak… this is my last hope.” With the support of the AMSOIL “Life Happens” Grant, Garnik was able to overcome the obstacle, and successfully graduate from his program.

 

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Watch video thank-yous from additional scholarship recipients here:

 

 

Las Vegas Concours Names TechForce Foundation Charity Beneficiary of Opening Night Gala

The logo of TechForce Foundation    

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Las Vegas Concours names TechForce Foundation
its charity beneficiary of Opening Night Gala

 

LAS VEGAS, NV, July 16, 2019 – The Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance has named TechForce Foundation as the charity beneficiary of its Opening Night Gala on Friday, October 25, 2019, at the Keep Memories Alive event venue in downtown Las Vegas. This extravaganza will welcome hundreds of car enthusiasts and those who value and support technical education. The Gala will be part of four days of events promising a one-of-kind blend of elegance featuring vehicles from the most significant collections in the world.

TechForce is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with the mission of championing students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. “We have a significant shortage of tech trained workforce in the the automotive industry. Young adults have been encouraged for decades that the road to success is through a four-year college. Today more than ever opportunities for secure, well paying careers in the automotive industry come through tech training.,” shares Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation. “These are no longer blue-collar, but new-collar careers with a great paycheck. These jobs can’t be outsourced or shipped overseas, and are in high-demand. People talk about jobs, jobs, jobs: this is where good paying jobs are now and into the future.”

“Have you looked under a hood recently?” adds Stuart Sobek, founder and chairman of the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance. “There are more than 70 computers and 100 million lines of code in these magic machines. Our economy, businesses, and personal lives depend on vehicles—and it’s time we show our respect for techs.” As a result, Sobek named TechForce the charity beneficiary, with the net proceeds raised through auctions, donations, Gala ticket sales, and raffles to benefit TechForce Foundation.

TechForce will use funds raised through the Las Vegas Concours d ‘Elegance to support:

  1. High School Auto Shop Makeovers, starting with the auto lab at Southeast Career Technical Academy (SECTA), Nevada’s oldest career and technical education (CTE) high school;
  2. Scholarships for students to pursue their post-secondary technical training; and
  3. FutureTech Success campaign to reframe the stigmas that plague the profession, champion the skilled trades, excite Millennials about the past, present and, future of automobiles, and promote that technical education is a solid, reliable option for students.

Long-time supporters of the TechForce mission, Shell, Pennzoil and Universal Technical Institute, are the Gala’s sponsors.

To learn more about the TechForce Foundation and how it works, log on to MOJ Show and check out this very informative podcast between Las Vegas’s own Monica O. Jackson and the CEO of TechForce, Jennifer Maher. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll ABSOLUTELY be well informed.

About Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance (LVCE)
In the inaugural year, the 2019 Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance brings the historic automobile show to the entertainment capital of the world. LVCE exhibits over 20 classes of rare and unique automobiles invited from around the world, most never before shown in Las Vegas. The four-day event will be hosted at some of Las Vegas’ most prestigious locations including, the Keep Memory Alive Event Center, DragonRidge Country Club at MacDonald Highlands and the iconic Las Vegas Blvd (The Las Vegas Strip). Proceeds from the celebrity golf tournament will benefit the LVCE/ArtCenter Scholarship Fund. For more information, visit LasVegasConcours.com or follow @LasVegasConcours on Facebook and Instagram.

About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $2.0 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and spearheads FutureTech Success®, the industry-wide initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. For more information, visit www.TechForce.org.

About Shell and Pennzoil
Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with operations in more than 70 countries. In the U.S., Shell operates in 50 states and employs more than 20,000 people working to help tackle the challenges of the new energy future. The Shell downstream organization manages a portfolio of top-quality brands, including the No. 1 selling premium gasoline, Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Premium Gasoline, No. 1 selling gasoline, Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines, and Pennzoil®, the best-selling, most trusted and preferred motor oil brand in America.

Media Contacts
For Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance: Julian Lupo, julianl@quillinly.com, 702-818-1637
For TechForce Foundation: Mike Pressendo, mpressendo@techforce.org, 623-445-9354
For Monica Jackson: Delano Jackson, JD@7dayzllc.com, 702-528-0605

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TechForce to deliver keynotes at Women in Automotive conference

 

TechForce Foundation and its Partners to Deliver Two Keynote Presentations at Women in Automotive Conference

 

TechForce Foundation and its partners are scheduled to deliver back to back keynote presentations later this month on the main stage at the Women in Automotive national conference.

The June 25 keynote presentations include a 30 minute panel on “Changing the Culture of our Technician Trade in Automotive” from TechForce Foundation, and FutureTech Success campaign partners Great Dane and Ford Motor Company, as well as a 20 minute “If you can dream it, you can build it” presentation from TechForce Foundation board member Bogi Lateiner, master mechanic and owner of Bogi’s Garage.

For more details on the presentations, read the excerpts from the Women in Automotive conference’s official agenda below. For more information on the event, visit the conference website>>

 

Keynote Panel: “Changing the Culture of our Technician Trade in Automotive.”

June 25, 2019 1:10 PM

Discuss the technician shortage and the status of the industry and how we can help change the stigmas about the trade to attract more technicians in to the industry. Discuss what is working and TechForce Foundation involvement and what the audience can do to help. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the automotive service Technician industry will face a shortage of 45,000 Technicians per year now through 2026. To fill this gap for Ford dealers, Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) launched TechDrive in 2018. This program is led by 21 Regional Technical Talent Placement Specialists across the U.S., dedicated to building the relationships between our Ford dealers and their local High School Automotive Programs. This is a dealer centric, grass roots initiative which entails dealer attendance in school advisory boards, student job shadowing, career fairs, parent/student tours of our dealerships, etc. The TechDrive team aims to recruit over 2,000 incremental Ford Service Technicians by 2020.

 

Panelist: Tina Smith, Director of National Partnerships | TechForce Foundation

 

 

Panelist: Susan Dober, Director, Organizational Learning | Great Dane

 

 

Panelist: Antonietta Polsinelli, Technical Placement Manager | Ford Motor Company

 

 

Keynote: “If you can dream it, you can build it”

June 25, 2019 1:40 PM

When we allow ourselves to dream, and then find the courage to pursue those dreams no matter the risk, the results can often be far greater than we could have ever imagined not only for ourselves, but for the world around us. The Chevy Montage All Female Build was more than just a truck restoration build. It was an exercise in dreaming outrageously, creating a community, and challenging not only ourselves but the status quo. By sharing the inspiration behind the build, the lessons learned throughout the process, and the ripple effect that it continues to create – Bogi will motivate and inspire YOU to take action on your biggest dreams.

 

Speaker: Bogi Lateiner, Owner, Master Mechanic, Influencer | Bogi’s Garage

 

 

TechForce launches STEM Center series at Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction

This article orginally appeared on www.Barrett-Jackson.com June 10, 2019 here>>

 

Barrett-Jackson’s Connecticut event becomes even more family-friendly

Don’t leave the kids behind if you’re thinking of coming to the 4th Annual Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut!

This year’s event kicks off with Shell Family Day/Preview Day on Wednesday, June 26. There’s free admission for high school students (with proper ID), as well as children younger than high-school age, and there’s plenty for all ages to do and see.

TechForce Foundation’s STEM Center Presented by Shell Powered by Pennzoil will debut at Barrett-Jackson’s Northeast Auction June 26-29, 2019.

While the auction arena won’t be open to guests on Preview Day, all the vehicles scheduled to cross the auction block will be available for up-close inspection in the outdoor and indoor display areas. The vast Sponsor and Exhibitor Hall will be filled to the brim, with displays showcasing the latest in automotive technology (many interactive) and a shopper’s paradise replete with unique items available for purchase (the younger set will enjoy trying out the ultimate in radio-controlled cars).

The Ford Hot Laps and Dodge Thrill Rides will be operating at full throttle on a 110,000-square-foot outdoor track, where those age 8 (or 48 inches) and above can take an exciting spin with a professional driver (included with admission).

An exciting new addition this year also kicks off on Shell Family Day and runs throughout the entire event (June 26-29): the TechForce STEM Center presented by Shell, powered by Pennzoil – featuring Flat 12 Gallery and the STEM education department from the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

This interactive exhibition features hands-on activities that enable students to experience automotive technology, understand the applicability of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in the automotive world and explore industry career paths.

Visitors to the STEM Center can fidget with engines, pretend they’re doing a quick tire change in the NASCAR pits, discover how the laws of physics relate to the automobile, explore Ohm’s Law by working with circuit boards and other equipment, and use tablets and scan devices to examine the latest diagnostic tools. An important facet of the STEM Center will be the “Women Techs Rock” station (which will feature Bogi Lateiner of MotorTrend’s “All Girls Garage” on Friday and Saturday), an area that focuses on females in the industry and how more woman are needed in STEM careers, particularly as automotive technicians.

Flat 12 Gallery’s Jeff Allen and Meg Bailey (of “The Car Chasers” and “Skidmarks Show” fame) will also be on hand at the STEM Center with giveaways, signing autographs and showcasing an amazing 1963 Volvo build they did known as #V06 (shown at right), which will be sold at the 2020 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction with 100% of the hammer price going to assist students in the automotive field.

Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation, a non-profit organization with the mission of championing students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians, says, “Instead of just showing students automotive displays and saying ‘Stand back, don’t touch,’ we want them to get hands-on.” The new TechForce STEM Center at the 2019 Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction will allow students to do just that.

For tickets to TechForce Foundation’s STEM Center, click here>>

 

ABOUT TECHFORCE FOUNDATION:
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional transportation technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $2 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and spearheads FutureTech Success®, the industry-wide initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. For more information, visit www.techforce.org.

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TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to champion all students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians.

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"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