Since 1992, the Orange County Partnership has partnered with Leadership Orange, the county’s premier leadership training program, to train new and emerging county leaders.
Recently, the Partnership joined with Advance Testing Company to deliver a program that impacts local high school students. On August 2nd and 3rd, students from Middletown High School (MHS) and the Newburgh Free Academy (NFA) experienced, first-hand, the world they will inherit. According to Jimmy Smith, President and CEO of Advance Testing Company (ATC), “We will only thrive as a county if we invest in our youth.” Because of his leadership, several Orange County companies opened their doors to expose students to the opportunities and challenges they will face in forging a career in the county they call home.
Maureen Halahan, President & CEO of the Partnership remarked, “Jimmy Smith has been associated with the Partnership as an advocate for economic development for the past 20 years. He continuously creates new and innovative ways to engage the next generation.”
The Orange County Partnership hosted six students from MHS and NFA to brief them on the economic world we live in. The Partnership shared with them its role in attracting and expanding businesses in the county and how they use their resources to make it happen. In fact, the Partnership presented an in-depth case study to walk the students through the intricate planning and approvals process necessary for one of their most recent and newsworthy attraction projects: LEGOLAND-New York.
The Partnership and ATC also coordinated local tours of recent attraction and expansion “wins.” Jimmy Smith stated, “I am so pleased that Pratt & Whitney, Angry Orchard and the Accelerator opened their doors for our students.” In addition, the students had the opportunity to share the lunch table with County Executive Steven Neuhaus, as well as Ed Harrison and Michael Torelli of Stewart International Airport, who shared their advice and insight with the young scholars.
Advance Testing Company’s 2016 mentorship program culminated with a formal graduation on Thursday August 25th at the company’s headquarters in Campbell Hall. Several dignitaries were on hand for the celebration, including the Orange County Executive and U.S. Representative Sen Patrick Maloney, along with the students and their parents. Several guests spoke, all of them acknowledging the leadership and commitment demonstrated by Advance Testing Company and their leader.
Maureen Halahan stated, “I applaud Jimmy and hope more business leaders take his lead and help us to, along with Leadership Orange, develop the next generation of Orange County.”
For more information about how you can participate in this program, please call 845-294-2323.
