Laconia, NH — Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) General Motors Automotive Service Education Program (GM-ASEP) high honors graduate, Neal Foster (Montpelier, VT), earned the National SkillsUSA Gold Medal in Automotive Service Technology.
The event, one of more than 100 different skills contests in areas ranging from cosmetology to robotics, was held recently in Kansas City, MO.
Foster is now the second LRCC GM-ASEP National SkillsUSA gold medalist after Adam Minihan won the Award in 2011.
The competition pits each state’s winners against one another in a fierce and incredibly challenging day-long event.
“I am incredibly impressed with Neal and his excellence displayed at the National SkillsUSA competition involving thousands of State winners,” said LRCC GM-ASEP Professor, Jamie Decato, the first LRCC automotive student to enter and receive a silver medal in 1996 prior to Foster’s and Minihan’s gold medals.
“Neal’s performance, along with Adam’s in 2011, speaks incredibly favorably of LRCC’s nationally renowned GM-ASEP program of study. What a feat these gentlemen have accomplished!”
Foster was sponsored by Cody Chevrolet in Montpelier, VT, as a LRCC GM-ASEP student. Interestingly, Foster has already earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry from The University of Vermont, Burlington, prior to entering LRCC’s GM-ASEP Program.
“I found my niche in LRCC’s GM-ASEP Program and know that it is right for me to continue to develop in the increasingly complex automotive industry,” says Foster enthusiastically. “Professors Decato and Parker are extremely knowledgeable and are outstanding instructors who have taught me how to succeed as an automotive professional. Many thanks for the hands-on experiences at Cody Chevrolet, and to everyone who has supported me in my educational endeavors.”
“The National SkillsUSA competition is the Olympics of Career and Technical Education,” says LRCC GM-ASEP Department Chair, Michael Parker. “For Neal to win is amazing. I am proud of Mr. Foster’s accomplishment and am certain Neal will do well in whatever he chooses.”
