Congratulations to the 2014 Penta Outstanding Alumni!
Penta Career Center has selected seven former students as recipients of the 2014 Outstanding Alumni Award. The recipients were recognized during a special evening banquet at Penta on November 6, 2014. Each year the Penta Career Center Outstanding Alumni Award is bestowed upon individuals who have completed a career-technical training program at Penta and who are currently working in a successful career. Since the award’s inception in 1993, 125 former high school or adult education students have been honored with the award.
Included below are brief descriptions of each 2014 Penta Outstanding Alumni Award recipient.
Tracy (Vargo) Buder is a 1997 graduate of Genoa High School and completed her career-technical training in Penta’s Nurse Aide/Health & Community Services program. She is a clinical director at ProMedica Toledo Hospital. Buder has a bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor University and is currently working on her master’s degree in the nurse educator program at The University of Toledo.
Robert Hernandez is a 1980 graduate of Woodmore High School and completed his career-technical training in Penta’s Construction Electricity program. He is president of Knight Electric, Inc. in Columbus. Hernandez completed the electrical apprenticeship program through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 8 in 1984.
Jennifer (Traver) Northrup is a 1990 graduate of Woodmore High School and completed her career-technical training in Penta’s Word Processing program. She is a secretary in the curriculum area at Penta Career Center. Northrup formerly worked for 21 years in human resources at Owens Community College. She has an associate degree in microcomputer business systems from Owens.
Douglas Podiak is a 1982 graduate of Maumee High School and completed his career-technical training in Penta’s Cement Trades program. He is the director of facilities and fleet operations for the Lucas County Commissioners. Podiak has completed the Ohio Police Officer Training Academy and has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Millwood University.
Daniel Soviar is a 1973 graduate of Rossford High School and completed his career-technical training through Penta’s Electronics program. He is journeyman electrician for Colgan-Davis, an electrical contractor. Soviar completed the electrical apprenticeship program through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 8 in 1982.
John Wenzlick is a 1995 graduate of Otsego High School and completed his career-technical training through Penta’s Security & Law Enforcement program. He is the Chief of Police in Ottawa Hills. Wenzlick has completed the police academy through the Criminal Justice Training Center and has both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from the University of Findlay. He is also currently a student at The University of Toledo College of Law.
Becky (Dooley) Ziviski is a 1989 graduate of Swanton High School and completed her career-technical training through Penta’s Executive Secretary program. She is the administrator of Heartland of Waterville, a skilled nursing facility. Ziviski has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The University of Toledo and has a license as a certified public accountant.
For more information about the Penta Outstanding Alumni Award or programs offered by Penta Career Center, please call 419-666-1120 or visit www.pentacareercenter.org