STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — PPG Automotive Refinish recently provided professional support to Pennsylvania SkillsUSA for its 2008 auto body and collision skills state competition held at the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center - Willow Street campus. SkillsUSA is a national non-profit organization serving high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.
PPG has been a supporter of SkillsUSA for a number of years. PPG employees and distributors regularly act as judges at local, state and national skills competitions. In addition, PPG personnel have held positions on the USA Advisory Board and the SkillsUSA Youth Development Foundation since the organization was founded in 1965. Rick Fischer, PPG Automotive Refinish territory manager, spearheads PPG’s involvement in Pennsylvania SkillsUSA. PPG supports SkillsUSA because “We know this organization is dedicated to helping students develop the skills they’ll need to succeed in a career and in life, Fischer says. “We also know these students are the future of our industry. We want them to be as well-prepared and knowledgeable as possible.” Fischer has been active with SkillsUSA since 1991. His commitment and efforts on behalf of the Auto Collision Repair Technology Shop at AVTS in Meadville earned him the Pennsylvania SkillsUSA Business and Industry Leader Award in 2006 as well as a citation from the state Pennsylvania House of Representatives for his industry leadership. Also active with SkillsUSA is Jim Kvatek, supervising instructor at the PPG Pittsburgh Business Development Center. Kvatek helped judge the autobody and collision competition events. PPG is committed to maintaining a strong relationship with Crawford County AVTS. Kathi Minut, PPG territory manager, and a member of the SkillsUSA Youth Development Foundation Advisory Board, says, “SkillsUSA and the automotive refinish industry help each other. We always need qualified technicians. SkillsUSA students are generally self-motivated and very willing to go above and beyond the expected. They’re the kind of people the industry needs. We are happy to support the organization and take part in its events.” For more information about PPG Automotive Refinish, visit www.ppgrefinish.com. For more information about SkillsUSA, visit www.skillsusa.org. | 
