Learning the base tools and what was necessary at the job, was my best takeaway from Ranken, the greatest being structure.

James Green says, “Learning the base tools and what was necessary at the job, was my best takeaway from Ranken, the greatest being structure.” He earned his degree in Internet Web Based Technology May 2009. He is now the Director of Field Services for Verve Industrial Protection.

John Livingston, CEO, Verve Industrial Protection, explains “One of the most challenging things about hiring young people is how to spot potential leaders. Leadership is hard to teach, but it has foundational elements: being responsive, having a ‘can do’ attitude, being able to solve new problems, not just knowing the answer to old ones. James was leadership material from the day we met him. He ‘got’ how to work within a team, how to ‘own’ a problem or task and not just do the minimum. His technical abilities are very strong. What sets him apart is his ability to lead. That leadership appeared in his early roles as an individual contributor to projects. It shines particularly as he has grown into building and managing a team where his problem solving, inter-personal skills, and commitment show through every day. He was trained to ‘own’ the results – his own and his team’s. That is very rare…and valuable!”

“I knew James was in the right industry when I saw how much he enjoyed his craft,” says Evan Gudmestad, IT Assistant Division Chair. “The more technical something was, the more he smiled. The more challenging the task, the more he dug his feet in. I recall him writing code to send a friend text messages from a fake phone number or using command line commands to remotely shut down a friend’s computer. He loved doing these things. It’s no surprise his employer raves about him. He chose the right career, now he’s reaping the rewards.”

A memory that sticks with James is “The time Evan made me go shave. Honestly, a true-life lesson on setting policies and abiding by them . . . that’s very important in what we do as a cybersecurity company.” Ranken alum in his family: brother William, 2002; cousins Michael & Patrick Green, 2002, Keith Green, 2010; and uncles Tom Green and Gordon Becker.

Learn more at https://ranken.edu/find-your-career-path/

Comments

Abigail Pritchard was drawn to the craft of carpentry

Abigail Pritchard was drawn to the craft of carpentry - the ability to apply knowledge and skill to fashion useful items and structures from raw materials. She graduated from Ranken Technical College with an Associate Degree in Carpentry and Building Construction Technology in May 2020. Abby thrived in the program. Carpentry instructor John Davis noted her reliability and the fact she “always jumped in to help out.” In her second year, she especially enjoyed the ability to work on actual construction projects on properties owned by the Ranken Community Development Corporation (RCDC). “After learning the basics of carpentry and construction, my transition into an apprenticeship was as smooth as it could be,” Abigail tells us. Among her favorite memories is the day she helped install the roof trusses. “It was very satisfying seeing our house get one step closer to being closed off from the elements.” Not long after graduation Abigail established herself on the west coast in Seattle...

Ranken Technical College relies on its industry partners

Ranken Technical College relies on its industry partners, both to help ensure that our curricula and equipment are current and as destinations for our graduates. Firestone Complete Auto Care, with 27 locations across the St. Louis region, is one such partner – having hired Ranken alumni, worked closely with faculty and supported our college financially for decades. Ross Stromberg, currently employed with Firestone, started working there while attending Ranken in Wentzville. Part of the Wentzville location’s very first graduating class in Automotive Maintenance (2014), Ross has worked his way up to become a Lead Technician with L1 certification. Amy Gillam, a Senior Recruiter at Firestone, tells us they “are super proud of the work Ross does, and we love to see him train and coach new Ranken students. He enjoyed the balance of working with the cars, doing what he was taught in class and moving ahead with the company all at the same time.” A 2018 graduate in High Performance Racing Techn...

As President and CEO of R&S Machining, Inc, Thomas Roderick’s unparalleled determination and work ethic has made R&S Machining a leader in the aerospace industry, specializing in 4 & 5 axis aerospace components

As President and CEO of R&S Machining, Inc, Thomas Roderick’s unparalleled determination and work ethic has made R&S Machining a leader in the aerospace industry, specializing in 4 & 5 axis aerospace components. Tom graduated Summa Cum Laude with a certification in Machine Shop in 1987 and later taught the Precision Machining program at Ranken Technical College from fall of 1989 to 1994. Tom tells us, “Ranken taught me that you can do whatever you put your mind to. Problem solving skills instilled a work ethic giving me the confidence to preserver in the face of adversity. It has allowed me to provide for my family in ways I never would have imagined.” After serving a two-year apprenticeship in a job shop, Tom took a position with McDonnell Douglas, headquartered at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. During his ten years at McDonnell Douglas, Tom developed a very strong passion for aerospace manufacturing and a spirited enthusiasm for bettering the business. R...

Ranken Technical College

Search This Blog