TechForce Foundation Announces Jennifer Bergeron as Chief Growth Officer and Welcomes New Board Members

TechForce Foundation Announces Jennifer Bergeron as Chief Growth Officer and Welcomes New Board Members

November 28, 2023 — PHOENIX — TechForce Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to championing the technician workforce, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Bergeron as its first Chief Growth Officer. In addition, TechForce welcomes Dave Smith, Bill Willetts, and Matt Hartford to its esteemed Board of Directors. These exciting developments come on the heels of a recent TechForce announcement highlighting the growing public enthusiasm for high-tech, hands-on skilled trades careers.

“This is a time of exciting growth for TechForce Foundation,” states Angie Babin, Chair of the TechForce Foundation Board of Directors. “With new talent joining the team, new programs like Grab the Wheel and Techs Rock Awards being launched, and increased public receptivity towards our message, the future is bright for TechForce Foundation.”

As Chief Growth Officer, Jennifer Bergeron brings over 20 years of experience in technical education and organizational management to TechForce. Her expertise in strategic planning, team leadership, and organizational growth was honed during her thirteen-year tenure as the Campus President of NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, NC.

“As Chief Growth Officer, Jennifer Bergeron will work with TechForce staff and our Board of Directors to develop and implement strategies that will catapult the organization to new heights,” says Jennifer Maher, Executive Director of TechForce Foundation. “Jennifer Bergeron brings a wealth of knowledge, is very committed to and passionate about TechForce’s work to support the next generation of technicians, and is excited about helping this mission and nonprofit thrive.”

The three newest members of TechForce Foundation’s Board of Directors bring a combined 90+ years of industry expertise to the organization.

  • Dave Smith, Principal at DGS Group, LLC, brings a wealth of experience from his 24-year tenure at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, where he served as Vice President of Strategic Solutions for eight years. Smith’s most recent role was Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Strategy at Caliber Collision.
  • Bill Willetts, Vice-President of Snap-on Industrial, has spent his career with the company since first joining as a Sales Rep in 1994. He also brings valuable non-profit experience, having served as Chairman of the Board of NC SkillsUSA from 2010 through 2022. Willetts is a sitting member of the Aircraft Maintenance Council.
  • Matt Hartford, President and CEO of Total Seal Piston Rings, first joined Total Seal Piston Rings as Lead Engineer in 1998, and has owned and operated his own Automotive Speed Shop. Hartford also started a drag racing career in 1988 and today races in the NHRA PRO STOCK category.

More information, including roles and photographs for TechForce Foundation’s full team, including its staff and the Board of Directors, can be found at TechForce.org/About-Us.

About TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a national nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion all students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. TechForce powers the technician workforce by awarding more than $2.3 million in scholarships and grants annually to financially disadvantaged students; changes perceptions towards this evolving, ‘new collar’ STEM career; and provides local career exploration and workforce development programming. TechForce’s online network of students, working technicians, instructors, employers, industry professionals and enthusiasts committed to championing the technician workforce is the conduit through which the charity delivers its free resources, programs and career hub for the benefit of aspiring technicians. For more information, visit techforce.org. Follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube.

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TechForce Welcomes New Board Members and Officers

TechForce Foundation® Welcomes New Board Members and Officers

 

TechForce expands its impact on students’ technical education and career success with added collision repair, reconditioning, automotive service, fleet maintenance and business development expertise.

 

February 14, 2023 – PHOENIX – TechForce Foundation®, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion all students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians, welcomes new officers to its Board of Directors for 2023 including Jon Vesely Vice Chair; Paul Halsch, Treasurer; David Ellis, Secretary; and Jennifer Maher as Ex-Officio Member. Angie Babin is returning as Chair/President.

“Our new officers and board members bring a tremendous passion for our charitable mission along with a wide range of industry and philanthropic experience. Together we are working to raise more resources to help even more students experience the joy and fulfillment of tech careers,” says Jennifer Maher, TechForce Foundation Executive Director. “The reward our board, volunteers and staff get is immeasurable when hearing from our students what a difference TechForce makes in helping them fulfill their dreams. We are truly changing lives and communities.”

Paul Halsch, Mary Mahoney and Jon Vesely joined TechForce’s national Board of Directors in the Fall of 2022. Each of them bring industry and nonprofit expertise which helps further strengthen TechForce’s ability to achieve its mission.

  • Paul Halsch brings 30+ years experience as an executive with collision repair and automotive service brands including FinishMaster, Pep Boys, and more. In his most recent position Paul served as VP of Reconditioning for Cox Automotive.
  • Mary Mahoney, VP of Replacement and Leisure Division at Enterprise Holdings, provides leadership and guidance for Enterprise’s largest global accounts and is responsible for client and industry relations in the insurance, collision, dealer, OEM, and leisure/affinity segments. She has taken on many leadership positions in her decades-long Enterprise career, including spearheading the industry wide Collision Engineering initiative.
  • Jon Vesely brings a passion for community service and over 30 years experience in senior leadership positions developing and leading growth-oriented strategies in the for-profit and non-profit sectors. He is the Chair of the Board of several companies, an active business investor, and head of his family foundation.

More information including roles and photographs for TechForce Foundation’s full 13-member Board of Directors can be found at techforce.org/about-us/#board-of-directors

About TechForce Foundation

TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion all students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. TechForce powers the technician workforce by awarding more than $1.5 million in scholarships and grants annually to financially-disadvantaged students; changes perceptions towards this evolving, ‘new collar’ STEM career; and provides local career exploration and workforce development programming. TechForce’s online, social network of students, working technicians, instructors, employers, industry professionals and enthusiasts committed to championing the technician workforce is the conduit through which the charity delivers its free resources, programs and career hub for the benefit of aspiring technicians. For more information, visit techforce.org. Follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube.

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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