Nassau Bay Hilton, Houston TX
Date: Friday,
August 17, 2001
Time: 9:00
am – 1:00 pm
Merv Treigle, Executive Director, opened the
meeting and welcomed everyone in attendance.
Merv explained why all three officers of the GCPTA were not
in attendance. The
participants were asked to remember Kathy Trahan and her family in
prayer because of serious illnesses in her family. The participants
introduced themselves. There were 37 members and guests in attendance.
The
following members and changes were approved by the steering
committee.
1.
Voting –
Mark Demark, Partec Resources, Inc
(Representing Alvin Community College)
2.
Non-Voting – Ronnie Hightower, DuPont,
LaPorte, TX
Santosh Joshi, Envision Systems, Madison, NJ
Tammy Knight, TPC Performance, Houston, TX
Lisa Arnold, Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC, Texas City, TX
Doyle Meyer, San Juan College, Farmington, NM
(San Juan College is a new College joining and committed to
teaching core
courses
starting in spring of 2002)
Executive
Director Report – Merv Treigle
Merv Treigle
reported that he had met with the Louisiana State PTech Advisory
Board and had been asked to be an ad hoc member and attend the
regular scheduled meetings.
Merv reported
that the Louisiana Chemical Association has approved and budgeted a
recurring $5000 yearly subscription to the GCPTA.
With this subscription all Louisiana Chemical Association
member companies are considered to have subscribed to the GCPTA, and
these companies will not be sent individual yearly subscription
requests by the GCPTA. Likewise
the Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges System is committed
to a $5000 yearly subscription to the GCPTA.
Merv reported
that the Louisiana State Advisory Board and in particular Ronnie
Madere of Dow in Hahnville, Louisiana have developed an outstanding
audit system and vehicle to audit the Louisiana Technical College’s
PTech programs. Thus far they have audited LTC River Parishes’ and
Baton Community College’s programs.
Merv stated he would send the audit documents to Bob Kosar
our web master for posting on the website and Bob agreed to post
them. All members in
attendance were encouraged to download the documents and possibly
use them to take a look at the effectiveness of the programs of the
colleges they are representing.
Everyone was reminded that it is stated in our by-laws that
the colleges will audit their own programs as a requirement to be an
endorsed college by the GCPTA.
Dr. Clarence Hughes of Sowela College stated that the audit
system is a real blessing because it involves both industry and the
colleges taking a look at the program and its effectiveness.
Merv also
reported that he had attended the National API Training &
Development Conference held in Orlando, Florida in June, as a guest
of the API Central Committee and also representing the GCPTA.
Barry Hardy, President of Training and Development, Inc.,
suggested to Merv that it might be a great marketing tool for the
GCPTA if they were to host a reception at the next API Conference,
which will be held in October of 2002 at Moody Gardens in Galveston,
Texas. Barry further
committed that he and his company would gladly share the cost of
sponsoring the reception equally with other companies and vendors if
the GCPTA were able to get them to agree to do so.
Merv reported that he had spoken to probably eight or nine
major companies and vendors and they were all in agreement that
they would share cost equally, and support the concept of the GCPTA
being Host of a reception and their companies being named sponsors,
sharing the credit and notoriety equally.
Subcommittee – Funding – Merv Treigle
Merv reported that the GCPTA is financially sound,
but however, the 2001 Subscriptions were coming in slower than the
past year. Merv read
the list of the companies and colleges who have contributed a
subscription in 2001. He urged everyone whose company had not yet
contributed their subscription to the GCPTA to encourage their
company to do so. The
GCPTA receives no other funding other than the subscription requests
and a small amount of book sales from the Intro to PTech and the
Safety, Health and Environment Instructor Guides and student
workbooks.
§
Merv talked about the latest addition of the GCPTA
Newsletter and thanked all who had submitted articles.
He asked everyone to get involved and send in articles of
interest to our members to him in order that he might send them to
the Public Relations Sub-Committee for future publication.
Merv noted that the cost (approximately $1000) for both
printing and mailing the newsletter was paid by the GCPTA.
§
John Payne, BP America, Inc., Houston, TX and
Eileen Booher, Gulf Coast Education That Works, Houston, TX,
volunteered to serve on the Public Relations Subcommittee.
These two people along with Bill Raley, Chairman, College of
the Mainland; Mike Gragg, Dow, Freeport TX; John Hough, LCTCS, Baton
Rouge, LA; Mark Demark, Alvin Community College & Partec
Resources, Inc., Houston, TX; and Harry Wood, Lamar Institute of
Technology, Beaumont, TX comprise our Public Relations Subcommittee.
§
Merv also said that he would contact Bill Raley and
have him send copies, suitable for framing, of the National Alliance
of Business Award to all of our member colleges.
They should be proud of this coalition award and display it
proudly at their facilities. It is because of this
industry/education partnership that the GCPTA received the award.
Merv also reminded everyone that the newsletter contained an
IPTA registration and agenda and encouraged all to attend the GCPTA
regular business meeting the morning of October 25th and
attend the IPTA the afternoon of the 25th and the morning
of the 26th.
Merv Treigle reported that the GCPTA expenses
through August 16, 2001, were $25,583.47 and the Income as of August
16, 2001, was $40,526.50. The
Bank Balance as of July 31, 2001 was $43,493.47.
Continued support ensures the viability and growth of the
GCPTA and its efforts to educate and provide the skilled workforce
for the future of our industries.
Merv Treigle expressed gratitude from the GCPTA and
its members to Joanna Kile and the CAPT staff, Leslie Hunt, Suzanne
Kolodzy and Cindy Washington for the outstanding work they have
accomplished over the past 2 years.
They have done work far beyond the scope of the 2 grants
under which they are working. Cathy
Gardner and John Dees were also recognized for their efforts and
work under the grants.
It was also noted that Suzanne Kolodzy would be
leaving to pursue other ventures.
The GCPTA wishes to express their sincere gratitude to
Suzanne for doing such an outstanding job for the GCPTA.
Martha McKinley reported that the sub-committee had
met on June 15th and had approved the interactive
activities for the virtual world module in SH&E.
In addition, Martha reported that the committee had approved
the objectives for Instrumentation.
Special
Note – Joanna Kile
Joanna
reported that 4 of our members had received a very special honor
from the College of the Mainland in Texas City as champions of
Process Technology education. They
are: Barry Hardy, Mike
Kukuk, Dennis Link and Bill Raley.
They were presented crystal apples at a gala function held in
their honor.
The following
comments from Dennis Link expressed his feelings about the award and
the night. He said it
was probably the most special and memorable event in his life.
His family, wife, children, father and grandchild along with
co-workers, management and union officials from work and friends
were there to share in this very special night.
He went on to say that he was truly honored and that he
realizes just how much this effort means to others when he hears
testimonies such as the one given by a single mother who spoke of
being able to get off of welfare and provide a living for her
family, secure a home and car all because she was able to receive a
scholarship which provided her with a degree in Process Technology
allowing her to secure a good job.
The following
comments from Mike Kukuk expressed his feelings about the award and
the night. He said he
would have to repeat what Dennis had just said.
Mike went on to say that when he reflects back he remembers
that in 1993 the efforts were primarily aimed at reducing training
costs for the industry companies.
He thanked the following people who had a hand in the vision
at College of the Mainland. They
are Bob Milligan, Cathy Williams Foster, Bill Raley, John Payne and
others. Out of this,
the idea for the GCPTA arose. The
goals and focus have now changed and not only include reducing
training costs for industry companies, but he realized that night,
that the big picture had another focus, and that is the benefits it
has provided for individuals and the community.
Joanna
presented the following on the NSF and LAAP Grant Updates:
Core
Curriculum Update
§
PT II –
Systems Student Workbook Now Available
§
All
Objectives for Instrumentation Revised and Approved by the Education
Sub-Committee
§
Instrumentation
Lesson Plans and Appendices for first half are completed; an
unofficial pilot will be conducted in the Fall semester
Web-Based
Curriculum Update
§
Pilots are
underway for Web-based courses and will conclude mid-December for
-
SHE
-
PT I –
Equipment
-
PTII –
Systems
§
Facilitator’s
Guide for Web-Based Courses has been produced
§
Colleges
will be billed according to the official class roll or number of
students enrolled through WebCT
whichever is higher
Order
Information
Order forms
for both the classroom based products and the web-based products are
available on the CAPT website www.captech.org.
Virtual
World Status
§
Virtual
World Activities (Hazard Recognition and Gate Valve) will be piloted
this fall. For a
preview visit www.quest-tron.com.
Many thanks are expressed to Futron for the work they have
done and for hosting our world during the pilot.
Texas
Skill Standards Update
§
Phase One
Duties and Tasks Data have been collected
§
Phase Two
Data has been categorized according to CWF, KA, and PC
§
Phase Three
Validation of CWF, KA, and PC
§
Members will
be receiving validation instruments for the Skill Standards.
This work is about 90% complete and when it is complete it
will be brought to the Education Sub-committee.
§
Steve Ames
and Joanna Kile made a presentation to the Texas Skill Standards
Board in Austin in July.
Year 3
Activities
§
Web-Based
Course Pilots in Spring/Summer 2002
-
Quality
-
Instrumentation
§
Finalize
Externship Modules
§
Finalize
Virtual World Activities
§
Complete
Evaluations
Future
Activities – Center Application Status
§
We will need
a Letter of Intent from college institutions
§
A draft
Letter of Intent for institutions will be posted on the website www.processtech.org
§
We will
pursue textbook development
§
We will
offer additional Process Technology Exit Options
-
Exploration/Production
-
Power
Generation
§
Host Site
for Workshop
§
Serve as
Representative to:
-
GCPTA
-
GCPTA
Education Subcommittee
§
Letters of
Commitment Due September 28th
§
Sample
Letters of Commitment for Industry and Institutions will be posted
on the website www.processtech.org
§
For further
information on grant activity, and Letters of Intent and Commitment
contact Joanna Kile at:
Center
for the Advancement of Process Technology
1200
Amburn Road
Texas
City, Texas 77591
(409)
938-1211, ext. 103
§
Alvin Community College – Lou Caserta – Lou
reported that Mark Demark is the new head of the Process Technology
Department. He reported
that there were 34 students in their summer PTech program and that
they were currently enrolling for the fall semester.
§
Texas State Technical College – Martha McKinley
– Martha reported that the numbers of enrollment in the PTech
program were lower. She
also said that they were realigning with a new advisory committee
and that a new staff member had been hired to teach.
§
Brazosport College – Gary Hicks – Gary reported
that they had held their Faculty Training Workshop for Process
Technology Instructors. He
also said that a number of them were introduced to the GCPTA
training materials for the first time.
A new instructor, Mark Stoltenberg, who previously worked for
Dow had been hired. He
reported that they are working with the Tech Prep Program with
Sweeney ISD and Phillips and that they would be teaching Intro to
Process Technology next spring in the high schools.
Gary Hicks also reported that their students tear down and
rebuild the distillation skid units.
§
College of the Mainland – Dow James – Dow
reported that the summer enrollment had dropped off, but the fall
enrollment showed that classes should be full.
He reported that orientation for the fall semester was held
with a diverse group of people who were shown the pilot unit and
distillation unit familiarizing them with the things they would be
learning in Process Technology.
Dennis Link reported that
Greg Johnson, a chemistry professor, had spent a week at BP on an
externship. Dennis also
reported that BP had saved $110,000 on their class of 26 operators
because of the education they received in the Process Technology
program. Dennis also
reported that the “Mentoring Program” at BP has shown a 50%
reduction in training time for Process Technology graduates to learn
their job, and this translates to approximately a $400,000 savings.
Dennis related if anyone is interested in their “Mentoring
Program”, they should contact George Ayala at BP, Texas City.
Mike Kukuk reported that
in the spring of 2001 ten to twelve students participated in the
startup of the new Process Technology unit and they also wrote the
procedures for the unit. They
were given class credit for their participation.
§
Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi – Tim
Coppinger – Tim reported that the engineering technology program
had a 69% growth the last few years.
Because of this, 3 new buildings have been opened and plans
are to build 4 more buildings.
§
San Jacinto College, Central – Mike Varnell –
Mike reported that there were 371 students in 20 sections last fall.
He said that enrollment for this fall semester was currently
at 319 with telephone registration with more expected before the
close. San Jacinto
College has been offering the Distance Learning Courses and is
pleased with the enrollment and the results.
§
Houston Community College, NE Campus – John Payne
– John reported that he had been elected Chair of the Advisory
Committee. HCC has 62
students enrolled in Process Technology.
John also reported that the new training unit for Process
Technology is in place and operating.
He said that a new website was being designed for Process
Technology and would soon be in place.
He also reported that the GCPTA SH&E and Introduction to
Process Technology would be taught at all HCC campuses next spring.
Four interns were placed this summer, 2 with Chevron, 1 with
Texas Petrochemicals and 1 with Crown Central.
John reported that HCC was working with the University of
Houston downtown on a 2 plus 2 agreement in Process Technology.
§
Louisiana Technical College, Sowela – Clarence
Hughes – Clarence reported that they started with 25 students and
are now up to 80 students in Process Technology.
He also reported that 25 new students would be enrolling in
the fall and they hired 1 fulltime instructor and 1 adjunct
instructor. He said
they should receive the first of their Glass Lab Units the first
week of September.
§
Lamar Institute of Technology, Beaumont – Harry
Wood – Harry reported that they were graduating 25 students that
night and the majority of them had already secured jobs.
Three-fourths of the graduates had interned with industry,
DuPont, Motiva and ExxonMobil.
He reported that the distillation unit, which was to be
built, has been delayed. He
said Honeywell had provided a new instrument panel with field buss
technology. Harry also
said that they had hired a new instructor, Eddie Burns, for the
program. Mike Gragg
with Dow Freeport interviewed 45 students and offered a number of
them jobs at the Dow Freeport facility.
Harry also said that 13 students who had interned with Dupont
made 5-minute presentations to the plant manager about their
experience at DuPont during their internship.
§
The IPTA 2001 Meeting is scheduled for October 25th
from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and October 26th from
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. The
meeting will be held at the Nassau Bay Hilton in Nassau Bay, Texas.
Further information on this meeting will be sent out.
The GCPTA will again plan
to hold the 2002 IPTA meeting in conjunction with the API Training
Conference. The 2002
API Conference will be held at Moody Gardens, in Galveston, TX in
October. The dates will
be sent out when finalized.
§
The GCPTA will conduct election of officers for
2002 at the October 25th, 2001 meeting to be held at the
Nassau Bay Hilton in Nassau Bay, Texas from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The current officers stand for re-election. They are Steve Ames, ExxonMobil, Baytown, TX,
President; Ed Stiles, Lyondell-Citgo Refining Co. Ltd., Pasadena,
TX, Secretary; and Kathy Trahan, PPG, Lake Charles, LA, Treasurer.
Any person or persons interested in running for an office in
the Gulf Coast Process Technology Alliance should contact the
Executive Director, Merv Treigle.
§
The dates for the 2002 GCPTA meetings and the Job
Fair have been finalized and will be sent out to all of the members
via e-mail and will be posted on the website.
§
Website www.processtech.org
is fully active and maintained by Bob Kosar of Grand Isle Group.
If your school or company has a website and it is not
accessible by just a click, contact the Webmaster by e-mail bobkosar@hal-pc.org.
College of the Mainland is providing the host server.
§
Center for the Advancement of Process Technology
(CAPT) website www.caPTech.org.
§
Contact the GCPTA at atgcpta@msn.com.
Thursday, October 25, 2001
Nassau Bay Hilton
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
***Other Events***
1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday, October 26, 2001
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
Nassau Bay Hilton
Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Merv Treigle, Executive Director
Gulf Coast Process Technology Alliance
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