Mr. Novak, along with David Manasek, owner of Manasek Auto Parts, Inc. (a NAPA Dealership) in Dickson City, presents a weekly informational show titled “NEPA Fix-It Facts.” The pair uses their expertise to help listeners troubleshoot issues involving everything from lawnmowers to trucks.

“NEPA Fix-It Facts” airs every Saturday at 11:30 a.m. on 94.3 THE TALKER in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

If you need a fix-it fact, please email Mr. Novak and Mr. Manasek at NEPAfixitfacts@gmail.com to get your question on the air.

Be sure to tune in to tune up!

From left to right: Michael Novak, Johnson College’s Diesel Truck Technology Department Chairperson; David Manasek, owner of Manasek Auto Parts, Inc. (a NAPA Dealership) in Dickson City

The representatives provided information about MACK as well as insight into the Diesel Truck Technology field. “This is a great industry,” Mr. Seyerlein stated. When speaking about the job market, emphasis was placed on the importance of hands-on education and keeping up-to-date with technology changes in the field.

Information about Johnson College’s Diesel Truck Technology Program can be obtained on the College’s website, www.johnson.edu, or by calling 1-800-2WE-WORK.

From left to right (Back Row): Thomas Burrier ’10, Waymart; Alec Katchur ’11, Dunmore; Matthew Hasbrouck ’11, Pennington, NJ; Douglas Cahill ’10, Honesdale; Jim Wiser, Service Manager, Triple Cities Mack, Scranton; Robert Seyerlein, Vice President, Triple Cities Mack, Scranton; Gerald Barone ’11, Throop; Adam Deluccie ’11, Scranton
From left to right (Front Row): Robert Witner ’11, Freeland; Kurtis Dion ’11, Drums; Ryan Bertig ’11, Lake Ariel; Timothy Warnock ’11, Honesdale; Samuel Ross ’10, Susquehanna; Scott Barraclough, Powertrain Sale Manager, Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown; Curtis Herbert ’11, New Milford

Mr. Landau gave a presentation explaining the history of Prime and the company’s job opportunities. Prime’s refrigerated, flatbed, and tanker carriers provide service to an expanding international customer base. Robert E. Low started the company in Urbana, Missouri in 1970 with one dump truck. Mr. Low’s vision of providing the ultimate in customer satisfaction enabled the company to expand to the successful business it is today.

Students from the Distribution & Supply Logistics Technology Program were on hand to learn about Prime’s award winning logistical operations. For a second year, Prime won the Kraft Foods Global Inc. Transportation Service Provider Recognition Program Award in the National Carrier category. Criteria for the award include partnership, responsiveness, innovation, and flexibility. They were honored for their ability to meet customer expectations during peak periods and flexibility in handling surges in volume.

Diesel Truck Technology Program students also sat in on the presentation to hear about Prime’s equipment. Prime is a member of GreenSmart Partners and institutes green practices such as increasing their mileage per gallon. They have achieved a rate of seven miles per gallon on gas, which is an excellent rate for eighteen wheelers. Their trailers provide the perfect environment for produce and other products that require special temperatures and moisture levels, including pharmaceutical range. Prime also runs its own repair shop.

Mr. Landau will return to campus to recruit Johnson College students and alumni at the 2010 Career Fair on Wednesday, March 17, 2010. For more information on the Career Fair, please contact Roseann Martinetti at 570-702-8919 or rmartinetti@johnson.edu.

Visit the Johnson College website, www.johnson.edu, for more information on Distribution & Supply Logistics Technology, Diesel Truck Technology and other academic programs.

From left to right: Adam Landau, Terminal Manager, Prime Inc.; Justin Clark ’11, Distribution Supply Logistics Technology, Clarks Summit, PA; Meredith Flynn ‘12, Distribution Supply Logistics Technology, Scranton, PA; William Kimmel ’11, Diesel Truck Technology, Klingerstown, PA; Roseann Martinetti, Associate Director of Constituent Relations, Johnson College

SkillsUSA connects students and teachers of public career and technical programs with industry leaders, promoting a skilled workforce in America. The SkillsUSA Championship showcases the trade skills of students. The contest begins locally then continues to state and national levels.

Students from ten different vocational schools in Northeastern Pennsylvania competed in the District I Competition. Johnson College hosted exams in Automotive Service Specialization, Automotive Technician Technology, Precision Machining Technology, and Power Equipment Technology.

Johnson College students helped to administer the testing and Robert Murray ‘82, Automotive Technology Chair, Andrew Zwanch ‘82, Precision Machining Technology Chair, and Michael Novak, Diesel Truck Technology Chair, acted as judges.

Precision Machining Technology Competition
From left to right: Aron Wood, Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technology Center; Timothy DeCicco ’11, Precision Machining Technology, Scranton, PA

Automotive Technology Competition
From left to right: Greg Rossetti ’10, Automotive Technology, Forest City, PA; George Monninger, Tunkhannock Area School District

Power Equipment Technology Competition
From left to right: Michael Novak, Johnson College Diesel Truck Technology Chair; Kyle Duff, Wallenpaupack Area School District; Chance Compton ’10, Diesel Truck Technology, Jefferson Twp., PA; Derek Benson ’10, Diesel Truck Technology, Hop Bottom, PA

The Diesel Preventative Maintenance Technician Program prepares students to enter the workforce ready to perform routine repair procedures, preventive maintenance, and safety applications. Graduates work as a brake technicians, perform routine maintenance, and make general repairs. Employers might include truck, farm, and earth-moving equipment dealerships, trucking companies, truck service centers, engine repair/machine shops, truck equipment distributors, and independent service garages.

Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students who meet admission requirements will have the opportunity to matriculate into the College’s Diesel Truck Technology Program in order to receive an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Those interested in Johnson College’s Diesel Preventative Maintenance Technician Program can call 570-342-6404 or 1-800-2WE-WORK.

From left to right: Michael Novak, Diesel Truck Technology Chair; Shirley Helbing, Registrar; Dominick Carachilo ‘82, Vice President of Academic Affairs

The first gift came from one of Johnson College’s own students. Mr. Raymond Berger, a senior in the Diesel Truck Technology program, donated a NAPA Torque Wrench with ½ inch drive flex head (25-250 lbs). A torque wrench is used when the precise tightness of screws and bolts is critical.

“It might not look like much, but it’s a tremendous help,” states Mr. Michael Novak, Diesel Truck Technology Chair.

Another donation came from a community friend. Mr. Turner McDonald, Executive Vice President of Philadelphia’s CSTK East, LLC, supplied a refrigeration unit, otherwise known as a reefer unit. Reefer units are used in diesel trucks that ship temperature controlled products.

“Most of the foods that you ate today came in on a truck using one of these units,” Mr. McDonald explained.

In-kind donations like those from Mr. Berger and Mr. McDonald offer students at Johnson College new training materials and tools that enhance the study of their trade.

From left to right: Raymond Berger ’10, Palmerton, PA; Michael Novak, Diesel Truck Technology Chair

From left to right: Robert Witner ’11, Freeland, PA; Michael Novak, Diesel Truck Technology Chair; Turner McDonald, Executive Vice President, CSTK East, LLC, Philadelphia, PA; Alec Katchur ’11, Dunmore, PA; Gerald Barone ’11, Throop,  PA

Sterling Oddo, a representative from NAPA, gave the students a brief overview of the company’s vision, resources, and locations. NAPA is a leader in its industry with more than 380,000 parts, 6,000 store locations, and 64 distribution centers.

Mr. Oddo exhibited a variety of tools. At the close of the demonstration, students were able to examine these items and take a look inside the NAPA Tool Truck. Each student was also presented with a NAPA Student Discount Card. The card offers significant savings, allowing them to build up their own professional tool collection while still in college.

David Manasek, President of Manasek Auto Parts, Inc./NAPA Auto Parts, values the partnership between NAPA and Johnson College. Mr. Manasek explained to the students, “The quality of education you are receiving here at Johnson College is a great asset to you in the job market today. You have great instructors who care about your future.”

For more information on Johnson College’s programs of study please visit the College’s website, www.johnson.edu, or call (570) 342-6404 or (800) 2WE-WORK.

Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology students examine some NAPA Tools.
From left to right: Michael Zangardi ‘11, Scranton, PA; John Abbott ’11, Susquehanna, PA;  Lawrence Foster ’11, Philadelphia, PA; Jeffrey Walter ‘11, Factoryville, PA; Simon Frailey ’11, New Milford, PA

From left to right: David Manasek, President of Manasek Auto Parts, Inc./NAPA Auto Parts; Michael Novak, Diesel Truck Technology Chair; Robert Murray ‘82, Automotive Technology Chair; Andrew Zwanch ‘82, Precision Machining Technology Chair; Sterling Oddo, NAPA; Joseph Musheno ’78, Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology Chair; Adam Turner, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology Chair

Ms. Yanusauskas is researching the needs of Toyota Scranton concerning automotive interns and technicians. She discussed the possibility of internships for Johnson College students. Among the experiences offered through these internships, students would have the opportunity to work on hybrid engines. Full- and part- time positions would also be available for students and alumni as changes are made at Toyota Scranton.

Ms. Martinetti explains, “The technical preparation of our students in addition to the accent on excellent customer service training is unique and very important to employers.”

Information on Johnson College’s Automotive Technology and Diesel Truck Technology programs can be obtained on the College’s website, www.johnson.edu.

From left to right: Roseann Martinetti, Associate Director of Constituent Relations, Johnson College; Mary Jo Preno Yanusauskas, Customer Relations Manager, Toyota Scranton; Robert Murray, Automotive Technology Chair, Johnson College

From left to right: Roseann Martinetti, Associate Director of Constituent Relations, Johnson College; Michael Novak, Diesel Truck Technology Chair, Johnson College; Mary Jo Preno Yanusauskas, Customer Relations Manager, Toyota Scranton

The Diesel Truck Technology Department was contacted first in 2003 by the fire chief at the time, Dave Makala, to provide service on the vehicles. The College continues to perform service checks under the current fire chief, Jamie Sanko. Mike Novak, Chairperson of the Diesel Truck Technology Program, said, “[The firefighters] do something I could never do, but it’s a way [to] give back… a service to the community.”

The entire project is run by the students: from planning when the vehicles are to come in, to which parts need to be ordered from where. The students are graded on their work on the vehicles, while the volunteer fire department receives a much needed helping hand from the community they serve.

Bottom Row From Left to Right: Joe Kovaleski, Member of Justus Fire Department, Randy Nemith, Chief Engineer for Justus Fire Department, Kelly Hager, Chief’s Aid, Bill Kaiser, Lieutenant, Mike Novak, Chairperson of the Diesel Truck Technology Program at Johnson College, Ron Thorne, Fire Police Captain, Jamie Sanko, Chief

Top Row From Left to Right: Freshman students – Sam Ross – Susquehanna, Tom Burrier – Waymart, TJ Redel – Chinchilla, Doug Cahill – Honesdale, Justin Williams – Sterling, Derek Benson – Hop Bottom, Chance Compton – Lake Ariel, Gus Catalano – Scranton, Ray Berger – Palmerton, Anton Toryak – Greentown

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