Miller Electric Mfg. Co. President Mike Weller Recognized for Commitment to Technical Education
Weller receives Technical Education Champion Award from Wisconsin Technical College District Boards Association
APPLETON , Wis. — Miller Electric Mfg. Co. President Mike Weller received the Technical Education Champion Award from the Wisconsin Technical College District Boards Association at its summer meeting, recently held in Rice Lake, Wis.
The annual award, granted for outstanding service to a member institution of the Wisconsin Technical College System, recognizes business leaders for their support of area technical schools and partnership in addressing key industry issues. Weller is being recognized for his work with local institution Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC), which has its main campus in Appleton, Wis.
“Mike Weller is more than deserving of this award,” said Dr. Susan May, president of Fox Valley Technical College. “His vision and leadership have contributed toward the economic vitality of our region. Miller represents a business model that is committed to building a world-class workforce, as well as providing quality products that allow other enterprises to thrive.
“More than ever, employers like Miller rely on us for talent development, and working in close partnership allows us to provide extremely relevant programs and services,” said May. “The Wisconsin Technical College System District Boards Association clearly recognizes Mike’s incredible contribution to career and technical education through this prestigious award.”
Among other initiatives, Weller recently served as treasurer and team leader for Friends of FVTC, an advocacy group spearheading support for FVTC’s successful $66.5 million public referendum in 2012. Weller recruited and chaired the 39-member steering committee for the referendum’s proposal to build more than 240,000 square feet of new facilities. The new facilities, located in Appleton, will help meet the school’s growing program enrollment needs.
Weller has led the 30-year Miller-FVTC partnership, including coordination of several million dollars’ worth of welding equipment since 2000. Recent equipment contributed as part of the partnership has been used to establish the school’s Advanced Manufacturing Technical Center, which opened in 2011. The Center enabled FVTC to expand its core welding training programs.
Weller has also served as an adjunct instructor at FVTC, is active in the school’s K-12 engagement programs and is an advocate for Wisconsin technical institutions with the governor’s office.
“Our longstanding partnership with Fox Valley Technical College is a strategic one that I’m very proud of, and I’m honored to accept the Technical Education Champion award,” said Mike Weller, president of Miller. “We understand the labor challenges the industry is facing and we’ve always believed that this kind of direct partnership with a leading technical school can serve as a model for addressing the needs of regional and national manufacturers and other businesses.”
About Miller
Miller Electric Mfg. Co., headquartered in Appleton, Wis., is a leading worldwide manufacturer of Miller brand arc welding products and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW).
For more information, visit Miller’s website at www.MillerWelds.com, call 1-800-4-A-Miller (800-426-4553), e-mail info@millerwelds.com, fax 877-327-8132, or write to Miller Electric Mfg. Co., P.O. Box 100, Lithonia, GA 30058.
About Fox Valley Technical College
Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) is Wisconsin’s largest college within the 16-member Wisconsin Technical College System, serving nearly 53,000 people annually. Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, FVTC offers more than 200 associate degree, technical diploma, and certificate programs, and instruction related to 15 apprenticeship trades, in addition to providing customized training services to business and industry.
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