Retail Observer

SEPTEMBER 2014 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 65 Industry participation and support consisted of the Professional Service Association (PSA); Electrolux; Fisher & Paykel; Sub Zero/ Wolf; Whirlpool; Mr. Appliance; Appliance Parts Depot; Marcone Parts; BrandSource; Mike Buck; Mike's Appliance from Canton, Michigan; Ed Besalke; B&B Appliance from Centralia, Missouri; Michael Basich of Michaelson's Appliance Service from Tampa, Florida; and myself, Ron Kostreba owner of 1st Choice Appliance service from the South Alabama Beaches. Prizes that were donated by the above supporters included a 48" TV donated by Mike Cox of BrandSource, tool kits, meters, refrigeration charging scales along with many other useful tools and troubleshooting aids. PSA thanks all who generously supplied the prizes. All of the items were very much appreciated by the contestants and will help them in the field when they arrive home. PSA gave away 20 computer bags with the PSA logo on them. These were some of the nicest computer bags I have ever seen. They were well received by the contestants and even some of the instructors got one in a drawing. I was hoping there would be one left for me but there wasn't. We want to thank Scott Ehlert from Sub Zero/Wolf for buying a BBQ lunch on the Skills floor for everyone involved with the appliance industry, and also lunch at a restaurant one day. We also want to thank Randy Renfro from BSHG (Bosch) for taking everyone out for dinner one evening. If you have a technical school in your state, get involved and help the school out to become part of Skills. If your states technical school does not have an appliance course, help them get one started. It will be a benefit to you and your service company. Just let anyone know at PSA, and we will get you in contact with someone at Skills who can reach out to the technical school and provide them information about the Skills program. There are a lot of people involved with Skills in the appliance industry, and too numerous to mention, but the two people that keep Skills going are Greg Doster and Mark Politz. Mark has been with several appliance manufacturers and is now with Flamingo Appliance. He is very dedicated to keeping the appliance Skills growing. Greg is with Whirlpool, and if not for Whirlpool and the dedication that Gregg has for Skill, I believe we would not see the results needed to continue Skills. I also want to thank all the schools from the different states that are teaching appliances in their classrooms. These are some dedicated individuals that keep these classes open, even though there might not be enough students to fill their classes. PSA and Skills have money available to give to students that need help getting to Skills. The money is earmarked for their transportation, and or hotel room. Instructors should take note of this for next year. We as an appliance industry need to support every effort to give the young people of America the skills needed to become an appliance technician. Our industry is in desperate need of skilled technicians. To date there is a need for over 30,000 new technicians across America. I hope that more of you reading this article will get involved with your local technical schools and/or with Skills so we can fulfill the needs of our industry. RO Ron Kostreba M-Cap Proud PSA member 23 years, PSA committee member 1st Choice Appliance Service Inc., serving Alabama's beaches

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