Kevin Fraley, Brian Wurm, Jerry Tuttle and Ed Alt from MTD Products in Willard were named the 2014 Ralph Phillips Business Partner of the Year at the 9th annual awards dinner at Pioneer Career and Technology Center in Shelby on Tuesday, March 4.
In attendance, representing MTD Products Corporate Division of Cleveland was Roy Pullam, Corporate Manager. This prestigious award is given to an area business that has demonstrated support for Pioneer and its programs, students and alumni. It was renamed in 2010 in honor of the late Ralph Phillips, President and Owner of Phillips Manufacturing and Tower Company, the first recipient of the award. The criteria for this award are designed around the attributes we most admired in Mr. Phillips.
Chris Karl, Precision Machining Technologies instructor at Pioneer and nominator, expressed his gratitude to MTD Products for partnering with him to provide opportunities to students enrolled at Pioneer.
“Not only does MTD assist with sophomore tours and open houses, provide job shadowing, hire Pioneer Alumni, and serve on our Advisory Committee for high school but they have also been instrumental in the starting of the CNC Adult Ed. program,” commented Karl. “MTD has been very supportive of Pioneer, our students, and of me as an individual. These gentlemen have helped make the Precision Machining Technologies program what it is today, and will guide us on our journey to the future.”
MTD was founded over 80 years ago based on some basic values: Stewardship; Integrity; Hard Work; Reliance on and Respect for People; Innovation; Willingness to take Risks; Gratitude for Customers and Promotion from Within.
Today, they still hold those values to drive their decisions. They consider them an integral part to their success and growth. MTD’s engineering expertise and state-of-the-art facilities have led to them being known for innovation and award-winning products. MTD has earned a reputation around the world for excellence in quality and service. Their focus is on uncompromising quality, service and value through advanced manufacturing.
Due to the outstanding businesses that are nominated every year and their dedication to Pioneer it was decided to verbally recognize all nominees from here on out. Those businesses that were also nominated this year were:
Brian White of Mansfield Engineered Products nominated by CAD instructor Matt Hanning
Pioneer students in Culinary Arts and Hospitality prepared and served a special dinner, and Horticulture students created table centerpieces which honorees took home with them as a memento of the evening.
