TechForce Foundation Names Tina Smith As Its Director Of National Partnership

TechForce Foundation Names Tina Smith As Its Director Of National Partnership

In her new role with the Foundation, Smith will drive the effort to identify new corporate partners willing to sponsor the FutureTech Success campaign or to donate to TechForce Foundation’s scholarship and grant program.

TechForce Foundation has named Tina Smith as its director of national partnership, responsible for developing corporate partnerships throughout the transportation industry that aim to solve the tech shortage and fuel the pipeline of tomorrow’s workforce of qualified technicians. Smith will work within the full spectrum on the transportation industry, including the automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, marine, motorsports, aviation, aftermarket and restoration segments.

TechForce, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians, recently launched its industry-wide initiative, FutureTech Success. The campaign harnesses the resources of the industry to raise the bar for future techs in communities across the country. For example, donated training aids and employee volunteers will be activated to enhance local high school shop classes and afterschool programs; national marketing will tell the story of the “new collar” career and negate the outdated, grease-monkey image; and one-stop-shop resource hubs for future techs, parents, educators and industry will make readily available the tools required to help students pursue the pathway.

In her new role with the Foundation, Smith will drive the effort to identify new corporate partners willing to sponsor the FutureTech Success campaign or to donate to TechForce Foundation’s scholarship and grant program, including its Veterans at Work: Military Transition Campaign, its Accelerate Tuition Scholarships and its Life Happens Emergency Relief funds.

“Who better than Tina to tell the story of our future techs,” said Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation. “Tina herself pursued a technical education, made possible thanks to a generous scholarship, became a technician, turned wrenches, and knows what it’s like to be a female technician in the industry.”

Smith went on to pursue new jobs and opportunities in the industry, and says she is looking forward to giving back, championing the youth of the next generation, and helping the industry she loves prosper in its workforce development efforts. “Tina has the authenticity and passion we sought in someone who can walk the talk of the TechForce story, and help companies realize how they can be part of the solution,” added Maher.

Previously, Smith served as the national sales manager for the traditional U.S. aftermarket with Lumileds, where she managed its U.S. aftermarket sales program, sales team and independent sales representative organizations. Prior to that, she worked at NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) Inc. from 2013-’18, starting as the product services manager and advancing to become the groups manager for the North American buying groups. She was responsible for implementing sales and marketing activities within the major automotive aftermarket buying groups.

Before NGK, Smith was the lead engineering technician for three years at Gates Corp., providing technical leadership and direction within the management and engineering teams. Smith began her automotive career at Yazaki North America and served the company for nine years as an application engineer and benchmark technician.

Smith holds an Associate degree in automotive technology from Sinclair Community College, an auto mechanics certificate from D. Russel Lee Vocational School, and is a first year Chrysler Apprenticeship Technician (CAP) graduate. She was an AASA – Emerging Leader Member 2015-‘16 and a member of the Women in Auto Care – Educational Committee 2014-’17.

You May Also Like

Stoneridge Appoints Chief Technology Officer

Most recently, Troy Cooprider was VP of global technology, responsible for leading product innovation, advanced engineering and technology strategy.

Stoneridge Appoints Chief Technology Officer

Stoneridge, Inc. announced the appointment of Troy Cooprider to the position of chief technology officer. Cooprider will set the company's strategic technology and product roadmaps, and support future innovation and growth through oversight of the global engineering function, the company said.

Most recently, he was vice president of global technology at Stoneridge, responsible for leading product innovation, advanced engineering and technology strategy.

MBE Group Promotes Gretchen Bennett to Account Manager

Bennett will support strategic initiatives for clients, including media relations, event management, content development and more.

MBE Group Promotes Gretchen Bennett to Account Manager
Advance Auto Parts Appoints Three New Independent Directors

With the appointments, the company’s board will temporarily expand to 12 directors.

Advance Auto Parts
Marelli Names EVP/President of Automotive Lighting & Sensing

Frank Huber assumed this role effective March 1.

Marelli Names EVP/President of Automotive Lighting & Sensing
Monro, Inc. Appoints Vice President Human Resources

Jack Heisman assumed this post, effective immediately, and will also oversee Monro’s corporate communications department.

Monro, Inc. Appoints Vice President Human Resources

Other Posts

ChargeLab Expands Leadership Team with Two Hires

ChargeLab appointed Kevin Alfred as vice president of finance, and Ariel Maidansky as head of growth.

ChargeLab Bolsters leadership team with two hires
MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Forms New CEO Council

The council brings together executives from the automotive, commercial vehicle and remanufacturing sectors.

Piedmont Lithium Appoints New Board Director

Currently the chair and CEO of Cumberland Additive, Inc., Hickton was appointed to the Piedmont board effective March 14.

TechForce Announces Techs Rock Awards Grand Prize Winners

TechForce Foundation has announced Misael Rodriguez of Ben Davis High School and Dustin Thomas of CarMax as grand prize winners in the 6th annual Techs Rock Awards.