Specialty paper producer BPM Inc., Peshtigo, Wis., USA, was recognized as the representative for the Northern Wisconsin GPS Education Partner School (GPS) by Mutual of America at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee on Thursday, March 23, 2017. GPS Education Partners was acknowledged for its Credentialed Work-Based Learning program during a special luncheon and award presentation where Jim Koronkiewicz, BPM GM was presented with the Community Partnership award.

 

 

In the photo above (l-r) are: Ted Herman, chairman and CEO, Mutual of America Foundation; Rhonda Matschke, COOr, Generac; Lori and James Koronkiewicz, GM, BPM; Cheryl Klinger, associate principal, Appleton West High School; Amy Wessel, guidance counselor, Waterford Union High School; Georgia Maxwell, deputy secretary, Department of Workforce Development; Stephanie Borowski, president and CEO of GPS Education Partners; Pat Deklotz, superintendent of Kettle Moraine School District; Dawn Tabat, founder of GPS Education Partners; Jim Prendergast, VP and G  of Bradley; Andy Bushmaker, senior HR manager, KI; Thomas Gilliam, chairman and CEO, Mutual of America Foundation.

 

In 2013, BPM partnered with GPS Education to provide an Educational Center at 101 French St. in Peshtigo.  GPS Education Partners goal is to successfully prepare high school juniors and seniors for continued education and meaningful careers through hands-on education in the manufacturing environment of a business partner. The innovative learning model is based upon empowering students to learn according to their needs, while incorporating valuable mentorship. 

"We are greatly honored to receive the Community Partnership Award at the Mutual of America annual ceremony," said Koronkiewicz. "This prestigious award is recognition of Northern Wisconsin’s commitment to developing and improving the educational offering for both local students and businesses. We continue to work in collaboration with the GPS to improve, evolve, and adapt to the needs of students and industry so that this program can remain at the forefront of hands-on educational growth for success in youth and manufacturing."

The GPS program accelerates education and careers in a unique collaboration that brings together school districts looking to increase the success of their students, technical colleges that strive to build a pipeline of prepared students, and manufacturing businesses seeking to close the employment gap by mentoring and nurturing potential new hires.