(HUTTO) – Employees at Texas State Technical College in Williamson County celebrated Employee Appreciation Day on June 19, a day that included fun for employees and awards for employees of the year.

George Fields, an Industrial Electrical Systems instructor who has worked at TSTC for six years, was chosen by his colleagues as Faculty Member of the Year. The Greenville, Texas, native was excited to hear the news.

“It was satisfying,” Fields said. “I like interacting with the students and helping them reach their goals. What they said they’re giving me the award for is what I try to accomplish, so it feels like I did what I set out to do.”

Fields is on his third career. The veteran retired from the Navy after serving 20 years in the military – seven years in the Army and 13 in the Navy. In the military, he served as an electronics technician. He then went on to a supervisory role and, in his last tour, taught electronics. Fields later worked as a Facilities Maintenance and Services Supervisor in shopping malls, where he stayed for another 18 years before retiring again.

Fields set out to be a teacher after working as a supervisor and realizing that there were certain skills he wanted his workers to know on the job. He began teaching at a prison in 1996.

“You like to see people reach and surpass their ability to do their job,” he said. “You know what you want them to know. You know the type of training you want them to have. It’s not that they aren’t already receiving good training. But are they getting the right training?”

After the prison, Fields taught at Blinn College and in 2011 made his way to TSTC. But teaching wasn’t his first experience with the college; Fields had attended TSTC in Waco in 1983.

“I had been working at the mall part time and going to school part time,” Fields said. “I went down to Waco and found out about TSTC and enrolled. After about two semesters, they asked me to go back to the mall as a facilities maintenance and services supervisor.”

In his short time there, TSTC made an impression on Fields, and once he began teaching, he made it his goal to return to the college.

“That was a goal of mine, to come back to TSTC as an instructor,” he said. “I said if I got that opportunity that I would, and the situation was ideal. It was a brand-new school. They needed old folks like me who knew how to get something started. So I got to get in on the ground floor and see this program start and grow.”

Employees of the campus submitted nominations for the award, and the final winner was chosen by a committee. Employees had great things to say about Fields, with one teammate writing, “Invaluable knowledge, invaluable resource, years of dedication and solid as a rock! He’s an example to us all to keep raising the bar and never stop!”

Another comment reads, “Mr. Fields is an advocate of the student and a consummate professional. If he tells you something, you can trust it is correct. He is there for the other instructors as well.”

Fields is a​ graduate of Saint Paul High School in Neylandville, Texas. He earned his bachelor’s (2000) and master’s degrees​ (2002) from Texas A&M University Commerce.

TSTC touts itself as “a great place to work” and is currently hiring for over 90 positions at its 10 campuses. For information on open positions at TSTC, visit tstc.edu/about/employment.

(HUTTO) – Employees at Texas State Technical College celebrated Employee Appreciation Day on June 19, a day that included fun for employees and awards for employees of the year.

Etsuko Martinez, senior staff assistant who has worked at TSTC for 2 1/2 years, was chosen by her colleagues as Staff Member of the Year. The Hutto resident was excited to hear of the news.

“It was definitely unexpected,” Martinez said. “I was honored and glad to be chosen.”

Employees of the campus submitted nominations for the award, and the final winner was chosen by a committee.

Employees had great things to say about Martinez, with one teammate writing, “Etsuko is dependable, efficient and unfailingly punctual. In fact, I have never worked with a person who gives as much attention to detail as she does … She also projects a warm, cheerful attitude to our students, staff and faculty. She loves people, works hard and always tries to lift the spirits of those around her. I believe these characteristics represent all that is good about TSTC.”

Another comment reads, “Etsuko has helped me to learn my job, and she continues to be available whenever I need advice. Etsuko always handles her work with thoroughness.”

Martinez prides herself on being able to assist her co-workers.

“I’m happy when I’m able to help somebody,” she said. “I feel accomplished.”

She reflected on a time last year when her co-workers put together a gift for her after her father passed away.

“I went back home to Japan last November for my father’s memorial service, and they gave me a very thoughtful gift,” she said. “That was really sweet of them. I really feel the support all the time, and that’s why I always want to give back to TSTC. We’re family!”

TSTC touts itself as being “a great place to work” and is currently hiring for over 90 positions at its 10 campuses statewide. For information on open positions at TSTC, visit tstc.edu/about/employment.

(HUTTO) – When Texas State Technical College welding graduate James Gnuschke walked the stage on May 1, he made one TSTC instructor a little more proud than the rest of them. James’ father, Industrial Maintenance instructor Allen Gnuschke, beamed with delight as his son accepted his diploma.

Lifelong interests and a job loss in Colorado led the Gnuschkes to TSTC, where James wanted to pursue a certificate in welding.

“I did some pipeline work and stuff like that a few years before I came down here. The welding side of it always really piqued my interest,” James said. “It was always something I wanted to try. I ended up getting laid off from the heavy equipment job I had in Colorado, and we came down here to pursue new careers.”

James said a love of working with his hands and watching his dad work made him want to learn a trade of his own.

“My dad has always had jobs where he works with his hands, building and repairing,” he said. “I’ve always looked up to my dad and enjoyed working with him on projects when I was younger. It kind of inspired me to follow the same kind of work.”

James, who has been hired as a structural rig welder for a private contractor, will begin his new job this week. James was hired on at a pay rate of $40 an hour and will also earn an additional $15 per hour for use of his truck.

“After TSTC, I feel like I’m pretty well prepared to work,” James said. “I like working outside and having a trade that not everybody can just pick up and do.”

Though James chose to study welding instead of his father’s program of Industrial Maintenance, Allen said the two programs go hand in hand and work well together.

“Welders are handy people to have around,” Allen said. “It’s kind of a complementary thing. We’ve worked together on some projects here. We’ve actually built several rigs for students here. It’s a good match.”

The duo teamed up as part of a Hutto Has Heart project to continue the legacy of a Hutto resident whose dream was to raise a cross at the Hutto Lutheran Church. TSTC Provost Edgar Padilla said students and staff from TSTC worked on the project for a couple of days.

“There was a gentleman in Hutto who passed away and his dream was to build a cross at the Hutto Lutheran Cemetery from metal that had been scrapped from The Gin here in town. His family was looking for somebody to finish his dream,” Padilla said. “We decided that, to be consistent with our community efforts, we could help with that in some way. So we wrangled up a few of the guys and went out there. They went out to the site and built the cross, ground it, welded it together and erected it. Now the Hutto Lutheran Church has a beautiful cross that’s going to be there for a long time.”

Padilla said it was inspiring to see the Gnuschkes work together.

“This project was a glaring example of not only TSTC’s commitment to the community, but also the power of two generations, a father and a son, working together side by side and doing something that requires so much skill,” he said. “It was really nice to see that.”

As for Allen, he said he has nothing but pride for his son.

“At graduation, the population in the room went to two,” Allen said. “They could have been throwing tomatoes for all I know. Have you ever seen the movie ‘The Patriot’? When they’re going on about who’s the better man, and Mel Gibson says, ‘No, my sons were the better men,’ that’s how I feel.”

James urges those who are thinking about a technical career to “just do it.”

“There are a lot of people that spend too much time overthinking things and making bigger problems than there should be,” he said. “I had a gut feeling and just went for it, and I’ve loved it ever since.”

TSTC is registering for the fall semester through Monday, Aug. 21. Interested in registering, but aren’t sure how? TSTC will host three Registration Rallies to help students through the registration process beginning Wednesday, June 21. For more information on the rallies, TSTC’s welding program or the college, visit tstc.edu.

(HUTTO) – Students from Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Electrical Systems program volunteered Thursday to help run electrical wire in a Hutto resident’s home.

The job, part of a Hutto has Heart project, will help a local family make their home more accessible for their daughter, who has used a wheelchair since an accident last year.

Hutto has Heart provides assistance to families through requests for help, including car repairs, assistance with medical and utility bills, gas money, food, clothing and more.

TSTC recruiter and Hutto City Councilman Michael Smith said TSTC was excited to lend a hand for the project.

“Hutto has Heart’s program coordinator reached out to us with the general need, and instructor Mike Jenkins, (TSTC Provost) Edgar Padilla and I sat down to make sure that we had the manpower and that our students would be properly prepared in time,” Smith said. “Everything lined up, so we jumped at the opportunity.”

Smith said the occasion presented a way not only to make Hutto aware of what TSTC students are doing, but also to help out in the community.

“It is great to give back, “Smith said. “We don’t just have a building here in Hutto; we’re part of the community and a responsible part of that is giving back and helping out when we can.”

Industrial Electrical Systems instructor Mike Jenkins said the experience would benefit the students by learning on the job.

“They’re getting hands-on experience,” Jenkins said. “It’s not what you get in the classroom under clean conditions. You actually see what it’s like to come out and work around people’s personal belongings.”

Eight students helped to install the lighting and electrical power for the handicapped-accessible bathroom. Second-semester student Eddie Santos said he was glad to help.

“I wanted to help out other people,” Santos said. “Our teacher told us about the situation, and us going out there to help was a good thing.”

Santos said the experience helped him learn new job skills.

“Since the Sheetrock was already put in, we got to learn some of the remodeling aspects of the job,” he said. “We’ve done wiring before, but it was before any of that was done, so we learned how to go over those obstacles.”

Padilla said the school couldn’t be more proud to partner with Hutto has Heart.

“We care about our community and are thankful for the opportunity to give back,” Padilla said. “We want to offer a huge thank-you to our friends at The Home Depot in Hutto and the efforts of our students and staff.”

TSTC will begin registering for the summer semester on April 3. The Industrial Electrical Systems certificate is a two-semester program that teaches students residential and commercial wiring.

For more information on TSTC’s Industrial Electrical Systems program, or to apply, visit tstc.edu.

(HUTTO) – When the oil industry crashed in 2015, Cedar Park resident Stephen Price found himself unemployed and looking for a new career.

Price’s brother had enrolled at Texas State Technical College in Williamson County and told him about it. Price wanted something in which he could use his mechanical military background, so he followed suit after learning about TSTC’s welding program.

Price said he learned a lot at TSTC.

“When I started, I knew almost nothing about welding,” Price said. “I think I picked up pretty quick. I’m a quick study. There were some things that took more time to get proficient at.”

The Air Force veteran graduated in December 2016 and found employment at 101 Mobility in Cedar Park. Price wanted to stay close to home after spending six years traveling the world with the Air Force. He served three years at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, three in Aviano, Italy, and some time in Iraq and Qatar.

“Those years in Italy were the best years of my life,” Price said. “I traveled all over Europe. I was an hour north of Venice. In three hours I could be in Poland or Germany.”

Now, he is working as the fifth member in a growing company, and he was excited to get in early.

“101 Mobility installs handicap accessibility items like stair lifts, elevators and ramps,” Price said. “I assemble and install them to the customer’s specifications. It’s what I want to do, the pay is good and I’m getting in on the ground floor.”

101 Mobility began in 2008 in Wilmington, North Carolina. The company opened in Cedar Park in 2012, and current owner and president Kellye Jennings purchased the location in 2015. At the time, the company had two employees, making her the third. She’s since almost doubled the head count.

“I’m really trying to develop more resources and offer more products,” Jennings said. “I’ve invested in additional employees with the expectation that we’ll start realizing the additional revenue. I feel that it’s more important to have the people in place first and then experience the growth, instead of experiencing the growth and scrambling to find people. With growth comes opportunity, and I think that’s what drew in Stephen.”

Jennings was initially drawn to Price’s resume because of his military experience.

“I think it’s important to hire someone with a military background because of the connection with our customers,” Jennings said. “The discipline and the skills you develop in the military really lend themselves to the business. The fact that he recently graduated was the icing on the cake. With him focusing on his next objective, which is developing his skill, shows focus and initiative, and those are two qualities that I really feel are important.”

Spring classes at TSTC in Williamson County begin Tuesday, Jan. 17. TSTC begins registering for the summer semester on April 3.

For more information on TSTC’s welding program, visit tstc.edu.