Former graduate tells his Alaska Job Corps success story

As Glenn Evans looked out over the crowd of students, he remembered sitting nervously in one of those same audience chairs 18 years earlier. Dressed well in a nice suit, he spoke sincerely to the Palmer Job Corps students.

“I know it’s hard, but you have to finish,” he said. “It will make all the difference.”

Alaska Job Corps students listened carefully to Glenn’s words. They were receptive, envisioning themselves in 10 years with a trail of successes behind them. They saw themselves standing proud, like Glenn, and remembering their days at Job Corps fondly.

Glenn is now a successful businessman and a major player in Alaska’s refrigeration and mechanical world. From Wasilla, Glenn graduated from the Alaska Job Corps Center in 1994. He completed the Facilities Maintenance Program and went on to attended Mat-Su College, where he earned an associates degree in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. After college, Glenn worked in the refrigeration field with Ferguson Enterprises and was later hired on with Mechanical Sales Inc. Glenn is an Alaska Commercial Sales Associate and has been with Mechanical Sales Inc. for more than 10 years.

Glenn founded the Mat-Su College Chapter of the Student American Society for Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers and has also served as president of the group’s Anchorage chapter. Outside of work, Glenn coaches youth basketball and is a proud parent of four children, all of whom have graduated high school. This shows a full generation of improvement and success.

The Feb. 10 graduation recognized 30 students. Graduates have secured jobs at Southcentral Foundation, Doyon Utilities, Doyon Universal, H&R Block, Carr’s/Safeway and Pizza Gallery. A number of students are going into advanced training at Mat-Su College and overhead linesman training at the Gary Job Corps Center in San Marcos, Texas.

Local graduates are:

Accounting Services — Sarah G. Beasley, Big Lake and Mikayla J. Engler, Wasilla.

Computer Technician — Sean W. Isley, Palmer and Megan M. Davis, Palmer.

Electrical — Cody K. Botelho, Wasilla and Johnnie M. Jausoro, Palmer.

Heavy Equipment — Chanon D. Caruthers, Big Lake.

Culinary Arts — David J. O’Neill, Palmer and Dutch K. Uele, Palmer.

Human Services — Michelle A. Cook, Wasilla and Kandis J. Tate, Palmer.

Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide — Rebekah R. Ratcliff, Palmer. Water/Wastewater Treatment — Kathryn A. Childs, Skwentna.

Barbara Hunt is business and community liaison for Alaska Job Corps Center.