LAS VEGAS — Kenneth D. Goodrich, owner and CEO of Goettl Good Guys Air Conditioning, Sonoran Air Conditioning, Honeybee Air Conditioning Experts, and The Sunny Plumber, announced two Army veterans as the first beneficiaries of a scholarship endowment he started at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN). The endowment, called the Kenneth Goodrich CSN Post 9/11 Veteran HVAC Employment Program, was developed to aid military veterans enrolled in the school’s Air Conditioning Technology program.
Army Spcs. Jamie Olson and Larry Lemieux, both graduates of CSN’s Air Conditioning Technology program, were chosen to be the first recipients of scholarships under the program. The veterans received toolkits containing the essential hand tools and diagnostics necessary to start a career in the HVAC field at a special awards ceremony at CSN’s Cheyenne Campus.
The tools awarded to Olson and Lemieux are a necessary component for individuals looking for employment in the competitive HVAC industry. While some employers provide a portion of these tools, many expect employees to be personally equipped with essential items such as electronic gauges and meters. These can often cost technicians more than $1,000.
“The sacrifice made by veterans for our country cannot be matched. I established this endowment to show my gratitude and help veterans like Larry and Jamie transition into fruitful and rewarding careers in HVAC,” Goodrich said. “The HVAC industry always needs intelligent, disciplined men and women such as those that the armed services produce.”
Goodrich created the endowment in June 2013 with the goal of helping veterans easily transition into lifelong careers following graduation. He envisioned the program to act as a subsidy to the existing Post 9/11 GI Bill. This bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after Sept. 10, 2001. The bill does not cover the costs of items such as industry tools, creating a need that Goodrich sought to help fill. CSN will be using funds from the endowment to assemble toolkits for future graduates, as well.
Publication date: 1/26/2015
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