Congratulatory letters from Governor Crist

2008 Awardee:

• Ed Niespodziany, Ph.D. is the recipient of the 2008 Manufacturing Post-Secondary-Educator-of-theyear award. Niespodziany says his interest in “making things” started when he was in high school in Buffalo, NY. He grew up at a time when technology was, as he describes “primitive”, but by the time he graduated from high school, Niespodziany had already operated lathes CNC milling machines, wired houses, and installed telephone systems. Today, he is an Engineering Technology professor at Central Florida Community College, in Ocala. He is the program facilitator for the new A.S. degree in Engineering Technology with an emphasis in Quality, and commends CFCC for taking a leading role in adopting the FLATEcreated statewide engineering technology degree, and the MSSC certification. Niespodziany says knowledge and skill are centerpieces of today’s high-tech manufacturing. He says the best way to promote STEM education is to “make learning fun,” and post-secondary level education is a time for students to mature into responsible adults. He advises his students to treat this experience as work, not school. The best way to do that is to “show up every day, show up on time, and to show that you know something.”

Manufacturing Secondary Educator-of-the-Year Award:
The Secondary Educator-of-the-Year Award recognizes a high school educator for outstanding contributions to manufacturing and/or engineering technology education. Nominees for the award must have had a demonstrated impact on technology education on both a local and state level. This award represents FLATE’s commitment to support and recognize secondary faculty who make significant contributions to the education and training of today’s advanced manufacturing workforce.

2008 Awardee:

• Gil Burlew is the recipient of the 2008 Manufacturing Secondary Educator of
  the year award. Burlew is an engineering instructor at Braden River High School, and has been teaching engineering for more than 29 years. As the head of the engineering academy at Braden River High School, Burlew started the manufacturing enterprise targeted to train students on every aspect of the production line. He is a strong proponent of FLATE’s initiatives, and credits FLATE’s industry tours in giving students a “peek into a giant window of opportunities”. Burlew says the best way to attract students to manufacturing is to expose them to the world of high-tech manufacturing. “There is an avenue out there that is still untouched and manufacturing is no longer the sweat-shop environment”. He is a hands-on, minds-on person who believes in hard work. “Each of us has the power to change what we don’t like and anything good is worth working for .” Morevoer, he was named Florida education technology teacher of the year, as well as the vocational technology education association teacher of the year.

FLATE Industry Distinguished Service Award:
The FLATE Industry Recognition Award recognizes key industry personnel for outstanding contributions to promote technology education and career awareness in support of manufacturing. Nominees for the award must have had a demonstrated impact on technology education on both a local and state level. The award represents FLATE’s commitment to recognize industry colleagues who make significant contributions to the outreach, education, and training of today’s advanced manufacturing workforce. Nominees will have exhibited exceptional devotion of time, effort, thought, and action toward furthering FLATE’s mission.

2008 Awardee:

• Anthony Fedd has been a relentless supporter in promoting career and technology education in Florida. He is recipient of the FLATE Industry Distinguished Service award, a strong advocate for promoting Florida’s manufacturing industry, and a champion of FLATE’s diverse initiatives. Fedd has an impressive degree of experience, and an array of decorated credentials. He is the site manager for the Quincy Attapulgus Operations of BASF Corporation. He was also the former Chairperson of the Workforce & Education Committee of the Manufacturers Association of Florida (MAF), the chairperson for the Industry Sector Committee and member of the region’s Workforce Plus Board of Directors and works closely with the Florida Minerals and Chemistry Council (FMCC). Fedd says the strength of Florida’s manufacturing industry lies in its diversity, and in the academic institutions that have played an integral role in addressing its workforce needs. Against the backdrop of mounting global competition, Fedd advises manufacturers to invest in a skilled workforce, manage operating costs efficiently, and to take advantage of technology in improving and creating new products, services and solutions. As a leading voice in Florida’s manufacturing arena, he underlines the importance of applying automation (material handling and robotics) and advanced manufacturing practices (lean and six sigma) to lower costs in all manufacturing operations. To that effect, he points to the Made in Florida campaign as “one of the most successful models” in promoting careers/ education in manufacturing, and in defining the importance of manufacturing to the local and state economy. He says, “The outreach to students, teachers and parents through the website, videos and printed articles provides pertinent career information and encourages further interest.”