Partners for Progress Sooner Construction Company was recognized for its contributions to the development, promotion, and progress of Oklahoma’s Technology Center system at the 2009 Oklahoma Career and Technology Education (OkACTE) summer conference August 4-6 at the Cox Convention Center. The award was presented to officers of Sooner Construction at a luncheon that honored the Partners for Progress. Pictured , left to right, Patrick McGregor, OkACTE Executive Director; Aaron McKinley, PTC; Teresa Smith, PTC; Steve Ketchum, PTC; Vance Johnson, PTC; Randy Kyler, Sooner Construction Owner/President; Mike Boon, PTC; Allen Stolhand, PTC; Lynnette Kyler, Sooner Construction Office Manager; JD Soulek, PTC; Paul Kyler, Sooner Construction Project Manager/Treasurer; Dr. Steve Tiger, PTC. Sooner Construction Company of North Central Oklahoma was honored for its contributions to the development, promotion, and progress of Oklahoma’s Technology Center system during the 42nd Annual Oklahoma Career and Technology Education (OkACTE) summer conference August 4-6, 2009 at the Cox Convention Center. The Partners for Progress award recognizes businesses and industries which have demonstrated their commitment to CareerTech education in a variety of ways including cooperative programs, community involvement and student sponsorships, said Dr. Steve Tiger, superintendent/CEO of Pioneer Technology Center (PTC). Sooner Construction Company of North Central Oklahoma, a family held corporation, is an advocate, client and partner to PTC. Randy Kyler, president of Sooner Construction, served as the first chairperson of PTC’s Advanced Construction Training System (ACTS) initiative. Randy chose to help start program to attract a younger workforce to the construction industry. The ACTS initiative is modeled after PTC’s METS program and the AYES internship plan. According to PTC instructional director, Steve Ketchum, “Sooner Construction Company, as a whole, is devoted the district’s construction training efforts. When the ACTS members might have encountered challenges in meeting the group’s goals, Randy and his team are always a part of the solution. They have the influence, resources, and commitment to make things happen. Particularly, Sooner has been a key player in ensuring the success of the execution of a new mobile training lab for the architecture and construction disciplines. In partnering with the ACTS members, the company’s advocacy and forward thinking has been instrumental in the vision and implementation of a construction trades mobile training lab. The mobile lab will be an essential part of promoting careers in the construction trades industry and will help make school more relevant to students. Ultimately, the concept will help broaden and develop a skilled future workforce.” Allen Stolhand, PTC’s architecture and construction instructor, feels lucky to have Sooner on his side. “Sooner’s generosity is endless. If there is a need for tools for contests, guest speakers, or job shadowing opportunities they always step up. The level of involvement that Sooner’s leadership invests in PTC shows the company’s commitment and value for Pioneer Tech,” commented Stolhand. Over the past several years, Sooner Construction has been a client of PTC’s Business and Industry Services group by utilizing the school’s small business management, safety, and plan room services. Their activity and financial contributions in the BIS arena demonstrate the dedication they have to economic development in the region as well as their community’s development in general. Paul Kyler, project manager and corporate treasurer of Sooner Construction Company, also serves north central Oklahoma as a member of the Workforce Investment Board. According to Kyler, “At Sooner, we understand the benefits to our industry provided by the CareerTech system. We not only benefit from Pioneer Tech’s career training, but we also gain from the plan room and safety training. We have a partnership. That’s why we, at Sooner, want to help Pioneer Tech succeed in its endeavors. We want to be a part of the solution when it comes to workforce development, economic development, and even professional development for our business and industry partners.” Sooner Construction’s support and commitment to CareerTech training and economic development make them one of Pioneer Techs’partner for Pioneer Tech in the mission of “enhancing lives and securing futures.” For more information about OkACTE’s Partners for Progress Award or Pioneer Technology Center’s partnership with Sooner Construction Company, call 580-762-8336.

Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 (Archive on Monday, September 14, 2009) Posted by ljackson  Contributed by ljackson

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