GOVERNOR LEE VISITS COLLINWOOD LUMBER COMPANY TO PRESENT APPROPRIATION TO JOBS FOR TENNESSEE GRADUATES

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee embraces public-private partnerships and that support was on display at Hassell & Hughes Lumber Company.  During his visit to Wayne County, he toured the Collinwood facility, but first presented Jobs for Tennessee Graduates President and CEO John Dwyer with the $750,000 state appropriation formally approved by state lawmakers in May.  Several JTG students from nearby Wayne County Technology Center joined the Governor, who quizzed seniors on their plans after high school and what impact the JTG program had on their lives.  He came away impressed.

“This is near and dear to my heart and I’m very grateful for the work that’s done,” said Lee, who serves on the Jobs for America’s Graduates National Board of Directors along with thirteen other Governors.  “There’s a reason why we decided to put $750,000 toward this program and the reason is people just like you. I know you will be successful and because of that, it’s easy to appropriate these funds,” the Governor continued while addressing JTG students.

Wayne County Technology Center is one of 23 JTG programs in 16 counties.  Hassell & Hughes Lumber Company is among the regional businesses that partner with JTG programs, offering facility tours, employment possibilities and advice on hiring practices.  After a facility tour headed up by Hassell & Hughes Company President Jerry Hollis, Governor Lee was presented with a pair of JTG trucker hats for his weekends on his farm with wife Maria.

JTG, an affiliate of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to stewarding high school students with barriers to graduation, with follow through toward post-secondary education and/or career opportunities.  In 2019, JTG achieved a 97% graduation rate and earned JAG National’s prestigious “5 of 5” award for meeting are exceeding all JAG standards for the 4th straight year.

 

CONTACT:  John Dwyer  johndwyer@jobsfortngrads.org  615 289-1703