The Rogers Company Receives 2023 Business Impact Award for Contributions to Workforce Development Program

The Rogers Company has been recognized for its contributions to the Mentor School District’s Career Tech Education (CTE) Program and is a recipient of the district’s 2023 Business Impact Award.

The CTE program is part of the Lake Shore Compact, a career technical consortium serving the Mentor, Euclid and Wickliffe, Ohio school systems to prepare students for college, technical school or a career of their choosing. Mentor High School works closely with the community, including city officials, the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, to provide internship opportunities for students while simultaneously earning high school and college credits. CTE offers more than 20 programs across a wide range of fields, including business administration, marketing, IT, manufacturing, healthcare, education, robotics, construction and more.

Rogers has been involved with the program since 2016, providing paid internships for ten students thus far. Three of those students have returned to Rogers for full-time employment after completing their formal education programs, while others have pursued advanced degrees and successful careers with the knowledge they gained. The Rogers Company credits Jim Capel, who heads the Construction Management program, along with Drew McKnight and Lauren Tousignant, heads of the Marketing and Business Administration (MBA) program, for selecting internship candidates that are a perfect fit for Rogers.

Rogers receives business impact award from Mentor Pubic Schools
L to R: Drew McKnight & Lauren Tousignant, Mentor High School MBA Program Leads; Dr. Joseph Glavan, Lake Shore Compact Director; Rick Busby, The Rogers Company President; Evie Megery, 2023 Mentor High School MBA Student and Intern; Craig Heath, Mentor Public Schools Superintendent

“CTE students are learning transferrable skills, networking with local business leaders and building a solid foundation for their future,” states Dr. Joe Glavan, Director of the Lake Shore Compact. “The work-study program is individualized to each student’s goals and strengths – and matched to the needs of the businesses with whom we partner.”

Rick Busby, President of The Rogers Company, also serves on the advisory council for the CTE program. “Supporting Mentor Schools, along with their students, teachers and curriculum, is a strategic focus for The Rogers Company,” says Busby. “We take great pride in helping develop students for both college and today’s workforce. This program, and having high school students work throughout the year at Rogers, has become an incredible morale booster for our company.” 

McKnight adds, “Our mission at Mentor Public Schools is to inspire students today to reach their potential tomorrow. Few individuals and organizations have made as significant an impact on the students as Rick Busby and The Rogers Company. It is safe to say that our program would not be where it is today without the influence of this valuable business partner, and we congratulate them on this well-deserved award.”

Mentor, Euclid and Wickliffe High School students interested in the CTE program can apply online through the Lake Shore Compact’s Career Tech Website at lakeshorecompact.org. Local businesses interested in employing these highly motivated and well-trained students are encouraged to email Dr. Glavan for additional information.