SGTC hosts Kauffman Tire graduate recognition ceremony

South Georgia Technical College hosted a special graduate recognition ceremony for the individuals who completed the Kauffman Tire Automotive Chassis and Climate Control Specialist program recently in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the Americus campus. Kauffman Tire graduates, their family members, and Kauffman Tire and South Georgia Technical College officials attended the ceremony. Twelve different individuals from Florida and Georgia were recognized at the ceremony. They included: Derrick Clinard of Lizella, Caleb Croy of Macon, Danielle Davis of Spring Hill, FL; Jose Rivera Figueroa of Valrico, FL; Ronny Guzman of Rome, Dane Jarrard of Dover, FL; Justin Lynn of Flowery Branch, Michael McCormick of Tyrone, John Rigdon of Buena Vista, Bradley Serrano of Austell, Danny Truelove of Marietta, and Ja’Qualyn Turner of Marietta. “This is a great ceremony today and on behalf of Mark Kauffman from Kauffman Tire, I would like to thank you and your families for all that you have done to get to this position today,” said Theron Garcia, Kauffman Tire Vice President of Human Resources. “Education is a journey, not a destination. You have taken a great step toward becoming successful at Kauffman Tire. Training is a big part of what we do at Kauffman Tire and I am very proud of the associates in this room that have earned this honor today.” Garcia also talked with the families of the students and thanked them for supporting their loved ones during this educational journey at South Georgia Technical College. “Kauffman Tire is a service industry. Everything that we do is service related. These students were handpicked to attend this program. Their managers saw something in your loved ones to send them to this program. That is a tribute and a credit to you for instilling in them the traits or work ethics that have gotten them to this graduation today,” added Garcia. Then he thanked South Georgia Technical College for the partnership with Kauffman Tire. Tom Money of Kauffman Tire went to 30 different colleges looking for the right fit for a partnership and when he visited South Georgia Technical College, he said that this was a natural fit because SGTC shared the same values as Kauffman Tire. “Kauffman Tire is a great company to work for. Kauffman Tire promotes from within and entry level technicians have the opportunity to move up. We don’t hire store managers from outside of the company. You have started on a great path and I congratulate each of you for your accomplishments today,” said Garcia. South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford welcomed everyone to the ceremony and thanked the Kauffman Tire officials for placing their confidence in the college to train their employees. “I am very thankful to Kauffman Tire for this partnership,” said Dr. Watford. “I am also thankful to these graduates for their commitment to Kauffman Tire and to South Georgia Technical College. We have a strong relationship with Kauffman Tire. We share the same core values and a partnership is like a marriage. To be successful, you both have to work at it. Our instructor Brandon Dean has done a great job of working with each of you and with Kauffman Tire. I applaud you for your hard work and dedication to complete this program.” Darrell Rush, a regional manager from Kauffman Tire also spoke and told students that “Kauffman Tire is about a culture. It all starts with teammates or associates. You are our number one assets. Everything that we do starts or begins with the service we deliver to our customers. You will now be a vital part of Kauffman Tire’s success from now on. I encourage you to invest in yourselves. Continue your education. Become in tune with the vision and mission of Kauffman Tire. Our culture is what sets us apart from our competition. I ask you to look at how are you living? Are you willing to show up early, be kind to customers and teammates? Make sure that your servant towel is huge and use it often. Community Involvement is huge. And I leave you with this thought, it is never wrong to do the right thing. How you do anything is how you do everything. Make an impact in your work and in your life,” said Rush. Kauffman Tire is a family owned and operated retail and wholesale tire distribution company that has been in operation since 1936. Kauffman Tire and South Georgia Tech have partnered together to provide educational training and internships that can lead to great career opportunities with the third generation company. Kauffman has opened stores in the Cordele, Albany, and the Warner Robins area and is currently opening additional stores throughout South Georgia, North Florida, and Eastern United States. The Kauffman Tire retail stores sell tires, but also provides oil changes, preventive or scheduled maintenance, brake replacement, wheel alignments, tire rotations, and other services to keep vehicles in top condition. Graduates of this technical certificate of credit program have the opportunity to become technicians. Graduates also have the potential to apply for the technical, sales, or management career paths within the company. Students receive hands-on training in Kauffman Tire labs and stores. To be eligible for the Kauffman Tire internship, students must be at least 18 years of age or older, be a HOPE grant recipient, have a current, valid Georgia driver’s license and acceptable driving record, be enrolled in a Kauffman approved school automotive program, and must possess or pass Tire Industry Association (TIA) Level 200 Certification within 30 days of assignment. All regular Kauffman interviewing, hiring, and employment standards/protocols apply and potential interns must comply with all other school and program requirements. Students are also eligible for scholarships to attend the South Georgia Technical College Automotive Chassis and Climate Control Specialist program. To learn more about the SGTC- Kauffman Tire internship program contact South Georgia Technical College at 229-931-2394 or contact Dr. David Finley, SGTC Academic Dean at dfinley@southgatech.edu. For more information about earning a Kauffman Tire Scholarship at SGTC contact Su Ann Bird at sbird@southgatech.edu.