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The AED Foundation Raises Record $85,000 In Support Of Career and Technical Education

The AED Foundation Raises Record $85,000 In Support Of Career and Technical Education
Foundation Awards and Live Auction Round Out Successful Gala

The AED Foundation today announced the final tally for their annual Fundraising Gala held last week at the Untitled Supper Club in Chicago-a record breaking $85,000. The funds will support The AED Foundation sponsored Career and Technical Education programs and cutting edge research on workforce issues. “I’d like to thank all of our sponsors, board members, host committee and other donors who made this event possible,” said AED Foundation President Robert Henderson. “The AED Foundation has a critical mission to ensure the future success of the heavy equipment industry.”

The Foundation focuses on three primary areas:

Accreditation-The AED Foundation programs set the National Criteria for Construction Equipment Technology College Programs.

Career Promotion– The AED Foundation programs offer not just job training, but long-term career pathways and continuing education.

Research-The AED Foundation funds the research that backs up its claims on the importance of workforce development and shares that data with legislators, educators, the media and other stakeholders. The latest study by the College of William & Mary released last week can be accessed here: AEDFoundation.org/dealer-resources.

The Gala also afforded The AED Foundation the opportunity to recognize key leaders within the organization.

The LESTER J. HEATH, III AWARD given in honor of Lester Heath, the first President of The AED Foundation, to an individual demonstrating outstanding contributions to the Foundation through involvement and support of Foundation activities including training, accreditation and workforce development was given to Mr. H. E.  (Ed) Kirby, Jr., President of Kirby-Smith Machinery.

The FOUNDATION CHAMPION AWARD in recognition of distinguished service or merit of a manufacturer or service provider that has provided significant contributions to the workforce goals of The AED Foundation was given to Caterpillar Inc. and accepted by Anthony Fassino, Region Manager for Caterpillar and AED Foundation board member.

The FOUNDATION PARTNER AWARD in recognition of distinguished service or merit of a manufacturer or service provider that has provided significant contributions to the professional education goals of The AED Foundation. It was given to Komatsu America Corp. and accepted by Mike Hayes, Director Distributor Development for Komatsu America Corp. and AED Foundation board member.

AED is an international trade association representing companies involved in the distribution, rental, and support of equipment used in construction, mining, energy, forestry, power generation, agriculture, and industrial applications.  More information is available at www.aednet.org.

The AED Foundation enhances the success of member companies by encouraging continuous learning, by providing educational opportunities for today’s employees, and by improving the availability and quality of equipment industry employees in the future. More information is available at aedfoundation.org.