MITEC adds new members

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Marine Industry Technical Education Council has added three new members and elected a new chairman, MITEC reported in a release today.

With past council members Curt Ainswoth of Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, Nancy Bodick of Milford Boat Works and Sarah Devlin departing after their initial terms, MITEC welcomed John Bernier, Pam Lendzion and Barbara Jean (BJ) Walsh.

MITEC members also elected Steve Kitchin, vice president of Corporate Education & Training at the New England Institute of Technology, to the position of MITEC Chairman. He replaces Ed Boncek of Sea Ray Boats who stepped down due to increased work commitments after an initial term in this position.

On behalf of the MITEC, “We would like to thank Ed Boncek for his service as the first MITEC chairman,” Kitchin said. “Ed’s hard work and dedication laid a solid foundation which will make the continued building of MITEC an easier task.”

Bernier has been involved in the marine industry in various positions for the entirety of his career – from entry-level technician to the service and general manager of a service and repair facility. In his position on MITEC, Bernier is representing the education sector. He is currently the Marine Technology Instructor at Massasoit State College in Canton, Mass., a Marine Technology Program advisor at the Ben Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston, a board member of the Association of Marine Technicians and a member of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Education Committee.

Lendzion is the president/CEO of MarineTec Management Co., which provides management services, consulting and training to marine businesses.

Walsh has been involved in the marine industry since 1988, when she first began working part time as support staff at WoodenBoat Publications in Brooklin, Maine. She has helped organize more than 1,000 seminars for the marine industry and has been developing and managing new programs for Professional BoatBuilder magazine.

Most recently, Walsh has been involved in setting up the beta version of the online database ProBoat PILOT and in investigating new ways to expand the educational services previously offered via EMarineTraining.com, which is now transforming into ProBoat E-Training.

MITEC’s purpose is to facilitate the creation and sustained availability of a technically skilled and proficient labor force for the marine industry through education, training and professional development. The supporting mission of the Council is to promote public awareness and appreciation of technical workforce career opportunities within the marine industry. To learn more about MITEC and careers in the boating industry, visit www.boatingcareerinfo.org.

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