Matt Werner, president and chief operational officer for Compco, a Columbiana-based producer of tank heads and custom metal stampings for a wide variety of industries, offered advice to students at Utica Shale Academy who signed letters of intent indicating the career-centered programs they will pursue at the Salineville school. (Submitted photo)

SALINEVILLE — As they prepared to sign letters of intent declaring their chosen fields for study on April 16, students at Utica Shale Academy received advice from the leader of a major local business.

Matt Werner, president and chief operating officer for Compco, cited the success story of the leader of the company’s Columbiana plant as a good model for them to follow as they seek their own roles in the workplace.

Established in 1954, Compco is a leading producer of tank heads for the pressure vessel, water heater/storage, propane and cryogenics industries and of custom metal stampings for use in the agricultural, automotive and other industries.

Werner served as guest speaker for the school’s annual signing day, a luncheon event in which students sign letters of intent indicating the career-centered program they plan to pursue for the remainder of their educations there.

Werner told the more than 30 juniors and sophomores taking part about Dan Suznevich, manager of Compco’s Columbiana plant, who worked his way up to the position after being hired just two years earlier.

Werner said key to Suznevich’s success was his interest in improving the efficiency of the areas in which he worked.

“He did it because he wanted to make a difference,” he said.

Werner added Suznevich also displayed an inner strength as he, with other family members, supported his son through a successful battle against leukemia.

Werner told the teens, “I see many Dan Suzneviches before me today.”

“You’ve already made a decision to make an impact,” he said, noting their individual choices for a given career path.

“You will find it very rewarding to use your hands and minds to solve problems and keep things moving,” Werner pre

He said if he were able to visit himself, as a teen, he would tell himself to seek a career that is not only satisfying to himself but also of value to others.

Werner said Compco employs people with a variety of skills, all contributing to its smooth operation.

He said each is highly valued, but that doesn’t mean his staff isn’t faced at times with challenges.

“We rely on skilled people who can think clearly and stay calm under pressure,” said Werner.

He told the teens they are fortunate to receive the education and training offered by Utica Shale Academy and live in an area that is “a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

Werner told them he looks forward to seeing the contributions they will make to their communities as workers and residents.

During his talk, he didn’t mention that he worked with others to organize the Road2Recovery Hometown Walk and 5K Run, which raised more than $140,000 for efforts supporting mental and athletic development and entrepreneurial opportunities for youth affected by the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine.

Youngstown television sportscaster Dana Balash was recruited to announce the names of more than 30 juniors and seniors as they approached a front table to sign letters of intent to complete training for specific fields through Utica Shale Academy.

Superintendent Bill Watson said the school’s course offerings fall into three programs: welding, heavy equipment, and industrial maintenance and diesel mechanics.

Watson said students, who may enroll in the school as early as seventh grade, complete entry level courses and meet with staff to help them determine the career goals they may pursue.

He noted students who successfully complete their chosen programs receive professional certifications making them eligible to enter their fields following graduation.

Watson said the school’s programs are accredited by the National Coalition of Certification Centers, which establishes learning goals for career technical students based on industry needs.

He said schools accredited by NC3, as it’s widely known, must produce graduates who have earned at least 12 industry credential points, and last year, Utica Shale Academy’s graduates earned an average of 35 such points.

“Our goal every year is to increase that number,” said Watson.

Among the many young men and women signing letters of intent was Ryan DeLong, a junior from Carrollton, who said he plans to seek certification in welding.

“I feel I can make a big impact welding,” he said, adding that his father, who works as a welder, told him, “If you find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Johnathan Ketchum, a junior from Salem, said he plans to complete courses in electronics because of his interest in robotics.

“I’ve already learned a lot about it here,” he said.

At the program’s conclusion, Assistant Superintendent Laura Krulik told the students she is very proud of them and encouraged them to continue to work hard to complete their education.