PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH
RCC: ECONOMIC ENGINE
S
New Auto Technology Center Opens in Orangeburg
tudents seeking an Associate in
Applied Science degree in Automotive
Technology and technicians looking
to upgrade their certification level will
be able to boost their job prospects with
the recent opening of RCC’s Herbert
Kurz Automotive Technology Center on
Ramland Road in Orangeburg.
The leased 27,304-square-foot facility,
featuring 10 bay lifts and six classrooms,
opened in time for Spring 2016 semester. It
is the only NC3-certified center on the East
Coast and one of only five NC3 Regional
Premier Centers in the country. It is also
a regional certification center for SnapOn Tools. Participants certified through
the program will be prepared to take tests
leading to ASE certification. The program
currently offers 15 NC3 certifications.
The center is named for Herbert Kurz,
the late, longtime benefactor of RCC whose
family donated significant funding toward the
project. A generous donation from Jerome
and Simona Chazen was used to provide
educational technology in the center.
For more information, contact Doreen
Zarcone, 845-574-4774, dzarcone@
sunyrockland.edu, or automotive@
sunyrockland.edu.
The Chazens
Herbert Kurz
Manufacturing Leadership Program Graduates First Class
T
he first eight graduates
The eight program graduates
of a pilot program
include four from Congers,
in Manufacturing
NY-based Star Kay White, which
Leadership at RCC completed
manufactures flavoring materials
training equipping them with
and extracts, most notably for ice
management skills to help steer
cream companies such as Ben &
their companies toward greater
Jerry’s. Program participants Alex
success in today’s competitive
and Gabriel Katzenstein represent
business marketplace. The group
the fifth generation from their
received their certificates at a
family to work at Star Kay White.
December recognition ceremony
“The instructors were superb.
at the College.
They have extensive experience in
RCC partnered with the
their fields and gave us valuable
Council of Industry, a non-profit
insights in a wide range of areas,”
Manufacturing Leadership Recognition Ceremony recipients Andre Santa, Eastern Alloys and Gabriel
association for Hudson Valley
said Alex Katzenstein, a plant
Katzenstein, Star Kay White. Back: Rafael Salto, Star Kay White; Luis Magnani, Aptar; Arnaldo Cruz,
manufacturing businesses, to
manager at Star Kay White.
Star Kay White, Christopher Hunter and Elvis Velez, Schreiner Group; Alexander Katzenstein, Star
Kay White.
sponsor the program. Seven full“The techniques they provided
day sessions were held over a twowere also very valuable. They
month period to train new managers or enhance
explained things like how to calculate return on
skills for current managers. The courses covered
investment and what you can and can’t do from
“This program arms participants
topics including Fundamentals of Leadership,
a legal perspective.”
with the skills to be better
Problem Solving & Decision Making, Human
The Council of Industry recommended
leaders and helps them become
Resource Management Issues, Making a Profit
the course instructors, whose expertise ranges
more efficient and productive in
in Manufacturing, Best Practices & Continuous
from workplace law and accounting matters to
the workplace.”
Improvement, and Positive Motivation and
business consultancy and project management.
Discipline.
RCC hired the instructors, reached out to
“Experienced, well-trained supervisors are
companies to recruit prospective students, and
essential to a successful manufacturing company,” said Harold King,
provided the materials and classroom space.
Executive Vice President of the Council of Industry. “This program arms
The Certificate in Manufacturing Leadership is modeled after a similar
participants with the skills to be better leaders and helps them become
program at Dutchess Community College that operates in the spring and draws
more efficient and productive in the workplace.”
20 to 25 students per year. The Dutchess program originated in 1998.
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