In an effort to recognize and promote members of the Partnership, we will be featuring a member each month on this blog, and also in the Membership Minute newsletter. The profile highlights the assets of the business and civic community in Henderson County and is a way of saying ‘thank you’ for investing in economic development.  This month’s featured member is the National Technical Honor Society.

National Technical Honor Society based out of Flat Rock, NC, is a non-profit, educational organization. The organization was established in 1984 in Inman, SC and located to Henderson County in 1999.

The Society serves over 3,200 schools and colleges in the US, Canada, and overseas. NTHS membership is recognized by education, business and industry as the nation’s highest award for excellence in career and technical education. Member schools provide recognition for their top-achieving technical students and business-industry leaders in their local community. NTHS also supplies graduation regalia for its members.

In addition to local and national recognition, the NTHS ‘Jon H. Poteat Scholarship Fund’ will provide over $125,000 in scholarships to its members in 2012, and the number of scholarships given increases each year. Members also enjoy the benefit of NTHS personal letters of recommendation when applying for jobs, college admission, or for additional scholarships. Additional benefits include the opportunity to be recruited by national and international corporations, colleges, and universities.

Q&A with Allen Powell, Co-Founder and Executive Director:

What do you love most about what you do?
I love helping to honor and lift up top career and technical education students, teachers, and industry leaders. It brings us great joy!

How many do you employ?
Here at NTHS HQ, we employ a total of eight full-time staff, and outsource to local organizations for IT support, graphics and printing, construction, and building and grounds maintenance, etc.

What is your most exciting accomplishment?
Our greatest accomplishment is awarding of scholarships, and a number of these are given annually to NTHS members at Blue Ridge Community College. We also hope to establish more chapters in Henderson County high schools so that more NTHS scholarships will be given to deserving young people in our own county.

Why are you a member of the Partnership?
We have been HCPED members since 2005 and joined because of our strong interest in advancing career opportunities for our membership and for the people of Henderson County. The Partnership has been very effective in bringing new jobs into our community, especially those jobs requiring advanced technical skills and ability. NTHS could not have found a better home than here in Henderson County. We love it!

Thank you NTHS for your support!