Roger Speer named Universal Technical Institute’s Sacramento campus president

Roger Speer new campus president at UTI-Sacramento

Universal Technical Institute (UTI) — the leading provider of post-secondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians — has named Roger Speer as president of its Sacramento campus.

Speer has worked for UTI for more than 20 years and previously served as Senior Vice President of Custom Training Group and Support Services at UTI. Before that position, Speer was the Senior Vice President of Operations and Education from 2002 to 2006. Speer started with UTI in 1988, and has positions that include Director of Graduate Employment at the UTI Phoenix Campus, Corporate Director of Graduate Employment, President of UTI Glendale Heights Campus and Vice President of Operations.

“Roger’s extensive experience and focus on providing a quality training experience for our students are great assets to the business,” says Kim McWaters, Chief Executive Officer, UTI. “He will provide leadership and strategic direction as we continue to concentrate on serving the growing demand for automotive, diesel and collision repair technicians in northern California and the surrounding region.”

In his role, Speer will oversee more than 140 employees at the 245,000-square-foot training facility, which is located in Natomas off Interstate 5 and Arena Boulevard and has the capacity to train up to 2,100 students. Opened in 2005, the campus works with companies throughout Northern California that employ automotive graduates, including Maita Automotive Group, The Niello Company, Peterson Caterpillar, Cooks Collision and Raymond Handling.

Speer earned his bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Arizona State University.  

____________

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.:
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is the leading provider of post-secondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians. With more than 170,000 graduates in its 48-year history, UTI offers undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs at 11 campuses across the United States, as well as manufacturer-specific training programs at dedicated training centers. Through its campus-based school system, UTI provides specialized post-secondary education programs under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech).

For more information visit www.uti.edu. Like UTI on www.facebook.com/UTI or follow UTI on Twitter @UTITweet, @MMITweet, and @NASCARTechUTI

###

Anti-Bullying Program For Youths To Be Held At Rocklin Library Aug. 10

The Placer County Library will host an anti-bullying program geared primarily for junior high and high school students Sat., Aug. 10, 2013 at the branch library in Rocklin.

“An Anti-Bullying Day at the Rocklin Library” is scheduled to take place from 2 to 4 p.m. The Rocklin branch is located at 4890 Granite Dr.

The program is sponsored by the Placer County Library and is being organized by the Rocklin and Penryn branches. The goal is to inform participants about the growing problem in a fun, nonjudgmental way. Everyone interested in learning more about bullying and what can be done about it is invited to attend.  

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office will present a slide show on bullying and be available to answer questions. The presentation will provide information that will be useful to both youths and their parents.

The event will feature team-building activities and crafts targeted primarily at adolescents. Participants will have chances to win door prizes and enjoy free pizza.

“The library decided to organize the program because of recent events at local schools that involved bullying,” explained Penryn Branch Manager Amie Toepfer. “The library was asked by both youths and parents if it could host an educational event focused on bullying and its long-lasting consequences for both bullies and victims. We hope, by doing this in a nonjudgmental and fun way, we will get the message out that bullying is not okay and is not a normal part of growing up.”

During the event, the library will give out bookmarks with resource information and will have books and movies that deal with bullying on display for participants to check out.

Friends of the Penryn Library and Rocklin Friends of the Library are providing support for the pizza, crafts and door prizes.

For more information, contact the Rocklin branch library at 916-624-3133.

American Idol Finalist bringing his talent to Rocklin

American Idol Finalist, Danny Gokey is making his West Coast home at Destiny Christian Church in Rocklin to launch his national and prestigious program: Sophia’s Heart. 

Destiny is excited to work alongside Danny as they look for enthusiastic students from 6^th to 12^thgrade, who are ready to take their talent to the next level. 

Auditions will take place on September 14, 2013 at Destiny Christian Church where students will be evaluated on the basis of their passion, commitment, and talent. Students admitted will experience a positive and uplifting atmosphere, learn character development tools, and receive professional training from top performing arts coaches from around the nation. 

This incredible program is free of any cost to students admitted, and auditions are open to any and all students in the Sacramento region. For more information on Sophia’s Heart Rocklin, email rstorment@destinyrocklin.com or visit our website at www.sophiasheartrocklin.com. 

AUDITION INFORMATION

WHEN: SEPT. 14TH

WHERE: 6900 DESTINY DRIVE ROCKLIN, CA 95677

VOCALS: 10 a.m. (prepare 1 min. of a song a capella of your choice )

DANCE:12 p.m. (wear loose fitting clothes)

DRAMA: 1:30 p.m. (given a script or prepare a 1 min. monologue)

Bring a picture of yourself to the auditions and fill out the audition form at destinyrocklin.com/arts. 

Sophia's Heart is after school arts program free of charge for at risk kids in Rocklin, Roseville, Lincoln and surrounding areas. For more information contact Destiny Christian Church at (916)780-2273

DINNER FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT LOCAL FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN MOBILEPACK

RANDY PETERS CATERING & EVENT PLANNING DONATES FOOD, SERVICE FOR SPECIAL FUNDRAISING EVENT

A local effort to pack 500,000 meals for malnourished children around the world is holding its first major fundraiser for 2013, a special tropical-themed dinner on Aug. 23, catered by Randy Peters Catering & Event Planning.

All of the proceeds of the fundraiser will benefit the non-profit Feed My Starving Children MobilePack event, scheduled for Oct. 24-26 at William Jessup University.

Randy and Lisa Peters, owners of Randy Peters Catering & Event Planning, are donating all the food and their service for the event – meaning every dollar raised will go toward paying for meals for the MobilePack.

“We’ve had the privilege of participating in a MobilePack and seeing hundreds of people come together and pack meals for malnourished children,” Randy Peters said. “Thousands of children die every day around the world due to malnutrition – we are compelled to make a difference.”

Each meal packed at the MobilePack costs just 22 cents and provides a malnourished child with a scientifically designed meal intended to help bring them back to health.

Tickets for the dinner, to be held at Valley Springs Church, 2401 Olympus Drive in Roseville, are $40 per person, meaning each ticket purchased will pay for 182 meals to feed malnourished children.

“We are very excited to partner again with Randy and Lisa Peters for this special fundraiser for a second year,” said Mike Gebhardt, one of the organizers for the MobilePack. “Last year’s dinner raised enough money to pay for more than 63,000 meals – a huge part of the success of our 2012 MobilePack.”

In addition to the tropical dinner, a live auction, silent auction, live entertainment, and raffles will also take place throughout the night. Eric Hogue, a longtime radio personality in the region and now a William Jessup University vice president, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Randy Peters Catering & Event Planning is one of the top catering companies in the area, offering unique culinary creations and styling. The catering firm has been regularly recognized for its excellence. Randy and Lisa Peters have been recognized by many organizations for their service to communities in the area.

Randy and Lisa started the catering business after running four successful restaurants, most recently Venita Rhea’s in Rocklin.

The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 23. Tickets may be purchased online at www.SacFMSCMobilePack.org. Sponsorships for the dinner are also available and organizers are accepting donations of auction and raffle items.

For more information, please visit our website or call (916) 781-0650.

Feed My Starving Children is a Christian non-profit that distributes culturally-neutral, nutritious meals to nearly 70 countries through more than 90 missions and humanitarian agencies. In most cases, the free food is used to operate orphanages, schools, clinics, and community feeding programs that contribute to long-term community development. Ninety-two percent of donations to FMSC go directly to the food program.

Corporations, civic groups and churches that are interested in partnering with this year’s Sacramento area MobilePack™ may call Bill Halldin at 916-781-0650. For more information, please visit our website, www.sacfmscmobilepack.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information about Randy Peters Catering, please visit www.RandyPetersCatering.com

Drexel Presents Annual Leadership Award To Homeless Advocate Dr. Addie Ellis

Addie Ellis

Addie Ellis was presented with the Carl “Tobey” Oxholm III Leadership Award at Drexel’s University’s recent commencement in Sacramento.

The award was created by the Graduate Student Association to recognize “leadership in the classroom and in the community.”

The Leadership Award is a large silver bowl, mounted on an impressive wooden base that has the names of all the recipients. Tobey Oxholm was the inaugural leader for Drexel University Sacramento.

Ellis, who earned her doctorate degree in the Education Leadership and Management program, was one of the 127 graduates who were awarded master’s level diplomas on June 22 at Sacramento’s historic Crocker Art Museum.

Read more »

Runner to Hold Fire Fee Telephone Townhall July 23

Runner to Hold Fire Fee Telephone Townhalls

George Runner will hold a telephone townhall on Tuesday July 23 at 6 p.m. for residents of Placer, Sierra, Nevada, and Yuba counties.

“Many of my constituents have expressed concern about the fairness and cost of this new tax,” Runner said. “As their elected taxpayer advocate, it’s important for me to hear their concerns and keep them apprised of the latest developments.”

The upcoming townhall is co-sponsored by State Senators Ted Gaines and Jim Nielsen and Assemblymembers Brian Dahle and Dan Logue. It is part of a series of regional townhalls Senator Runner is holding for taxpayers throughout his district.

Read more »

Scott Syphax Receives Honorary Doctorate from Drexel University Sacramento

Scott Syphax

Scott Syphax, Director, NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company, delivered the keynote address at Drexel University’s third commencement on its Sacramento campus. The commencement was held at the Crocker Art Museum on Saturday, June 22.

Syphax also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters and joined 127 graduating students at the Drexel University Sacramento ceremony. Drexel Provost Dr. Mark Greenberg awarded the degrees at the scenic courtyard location at the Crocker.

Syphax, who serves on the Drexel Board of Advisors, lives in Elk Grove and graduated from California State University, Sacramento.

“Scott is one of the region’s great leaders in business and is recognized nationally for his distinguished record of accomplishment,” said Dr. Sandra Kirschenmann, Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director for Drexel University Sacramento. “He has been a valuable partner with Drexel and has served as a wonderful mentor to many of our students. We are very pleased to have someone of Scott’s stature address our students, faculty, alumni and guests at such a memorable occasion, and even happier to present him with the honorary degree of “Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.”

Read more »

Runner Says Gas Tax Hike Based on ‘Guesswork’

George Runner issued the following statement regarding a 3.5 cent increase in California’s excise tax on gasoline scheduled to take effect July 1, 2013:

“On July 1 Californians will be forced to begin paying the highest gas taxes in the nation. They have a right to be angry and demand explanation from their elected officials.

“I too am upset and frustrated by this tax increase, which stems from a complicated law known as the ‘fuel tax swap.’

Read more »