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Business Partners of the Year: Bergen County
2010—BMW of North America, LLC
Over the last four years under the guidance of Craig Czock, BMW North America has provided students and staff at the Bergen County Technical High School in Teterboro with access to state-of-the-art technology, training and internships at BMW's corporate headquarters in Woodcliff Lake. The company has brought cutting-edge, green technology, including the H7 Hydrogen car and the fully electric MINI-E, to Bergen Tech's campus for technical demonstrations. BMW of North America's commitment to excellence and willingness to give students exposure to the best the automobile industry has to offer is unparalleled, and has been an asset to the development of Bergen Tech's Automotive Engineering and Design program.
2009—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.
2008—Donald Shatinsky, NJ Economic Development Authority
For the past two years, Don Shatinsky has served as a liaison between the Bergen County Technical Schools, the bioscience industry, and leading university researchers around the state. Due to Mr. Shatinsky's foresight and deep understanding of the district's vision, the district has been able to provide opportunities for students to interact with some of the most cutting-edge research and development that is happening in the state and overseas. His efforts have resulted in guest lectures, international collaborations, joint curriculum development, and post secondary support of student research in biotechnology.
2007—Mercedes Benz USA
As a graduate of vocational-technical education, Richard Thomas of Mercedes Benz USA is an invaluable supporter of Bergen County Technical Schools. As the manager of Mercedes-Benz Digital E-Learning & Digital Media department, Mr. Thomas has embraced school-to-work initiatives and has welcomed student interns from technical high schools for over ten years. Beginning his career as a Mercedes-Benz mechanic, Mr. Thomas serves as a role model to students. While working as a mechanic, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from Ramapo College and a Master of Law degree from Pace University. In addition to the students he hosts at the company, he directs over 70 people at MercedesBenz.
2006—Hackensack University Medical Center
Bergen County Technical Schools has partnered with Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) since 1996 through a program called Senior Experience. A number of students are currently interning with staff at HUMC, who serve as mentors. A new initiative allows students to use a remote presence robot to communicate with patients and staff at the hospital. The robot transmits live, interactive footage through a video screen that serves as its "head." The district acquired the robot after seeing Garth H. Ballantyne, M.D., Director of The Minimally Invasive Surgery Institute of The Department of Surgery at HUMC, on the evening news, making rounds with patients, without actually being present. Through the guidance of Dr. Ballantyne and his staff, students mentor pediatric patients at HUMC through the robot. Future joint projects will enable students to intern in a clinical laboratory there.