News - From The Nexstar Legacy Foundation

Nexstar Legacy Foundation Scholarship Award Winners

Apprenticeship - $1,000

James Fingerman, San Diego, CA
Thomas Edison State College
Sponsored by Anderson Plumbing, Heating and Cooling El Cajon, CA

Technical College - $2,000

Kal Gossett, Corning, NY
Lincoln Technical Institute
Lincoln Deitrick, Zanesville, OH University of Northwestern Ohio

Four-Year College - $3,000

Sarah Masters, Allendale, NJ
School Unconfirmed
Sponsored by Martin Masters Plumbing Midland Park, NJ

     
Graham Thurber, Topeka, KS Washburn University
Jesse Thornburg, Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Frank Blau, Jr. Award - $6,000

Andrew Deckert , Green Bay, WI
Michigan Technological University
Sponsored by Drucks Menasha, WI

Goodbye to Keith Broyles

At the Detroit Super Meeting, Foundation Administrator, Renée Cardarelle, wished a fond farewell to founding board member, Keith Broyles, who has finished a three year term on the board. The owner of Broyles Plumbing, Heating and Cooling in New Castle, Indiana, Keith leaves a strong legacy with Nexstar. A member of Nexstar Network since 1996, he first served on the Nexstar Board of Directors for six years, two of them as Chairman of the Board, before moving over to the foundation board for the past three years.

President of Nexstar, Greg Niemi stated that, "Keith was instrumental in bringing Nexstar to where it is today with his pragmatic approach that clears the fog and simplifies the complicated. He especially knows the power of money and cash flow."

Foundation President John Ward said, "He is the smartest guy I know. He is a master negotiator, and mixes small town charm with the ability of a Harvard graduate. He is as humble as can be."

Keith was one of the founding members of the Nexstar Legacy Foundation and has been one of its key board members. Keith was given a plaque in honor of his years of service to the foundation and to the field.

Welcome To Bill Raymond

The foundation also welcomed Bill Raymond onto the board of the foundation this October in Detroit. The owner of Frank & Lindy Plumbing & Heating Service, Bill brings a strong background in board governance to the Nexstar Legacy Foundation. A Nexstar member since February of 1996, Bill was a Nexstar board member from 2001 to 2007. He was also one of the Nexstar Service Systems and Money Master trainers. Bill will also assume the role of Fundraising Chair.

Winners Of The 2009 Motorcycle Raffle

The Nexstar Legacy Foundation is excited to announce the winners of the 2009 motorcycle raffle. Each winner was given the choice of receiving an $18,000 motorcycle or $18,000 in cash. Both winners chose the cash option and received their funds in October.

Brandon Beckman, ticket number 13698
Brandon has been with MacGregor's Plumbing and Heating, Inc. since 1994 as a journeyman plumber. When asked what his plans for the money are, he said he will be putting much of it aside for the hard times, but he will also be doing a few things around the house and taking his kids to Disney Land. Brandon has a 2 year old boy, a 6 year old boy and 10 year girl. He said, "I'm very excited. I've never won anything in my life! My wife is also pretty excited, and can't quite believe it."

Eric Stong, ticket number 14904
Eric is the former owner of Stong Services. Eric is retiring from his business and looking for hobbies to fill his new found time. For now he has his eyes on a used Harley that he'd like to buy and tour the country on.

In addition, to the grand prizes given out, a prize was given to the companies that sold the winning raffle tickets. MacGregor's Plumbing and Heating, Inc and Stong Services were both given $5,000 for their work on behalf of the foundation in selling more than 1500 raffle tickets.

History On A Roll Event At Detroit Super Meeting

Supporters of the Nexstar Legacy Foundation got up close and personal with one of Detroit's most famous icons, Henry Ford, this past October 1st while in town for the Nexstar Super Meeting. As part of a fund raising event that raised almost $6,000 for the foundation, 31 event participants were taken on a day long "History on a Roll". They started their day by visiting the Rouge Ford Motor Plant where they got to see assembly teams putting together Ford F150s. From there they went over to Greenfield Village, an authentic 1800s village, for a meal at the Eagle Tavern. They ended their day at the Ford Museum, a truly amazing collection of Americana. Participants were overwhelmed by amazing achievements and astounding collections of Henry Ford's life.

New Employees Needed For The Plumbing, Heating/Cooling
And Electrical Fields

Where would we be without clean and safe water, heating, air conditioning and electricity in our homes? Finding a good accountant or attorney is easy. Finding a good plumbing, heating cooling and electrical technician is not.

The home service contracting business is facing a looming labor shortage. As many as one third of the people currently working in technical occupations are over 45 years of age. As this workforce ages and retires there will be a sharp increase in the need for skilled technicians. As the number of technicians decreases, so do the number of skilled contracting firms.

It's no secret. Recruiting and retaining employees in the plumbing, HVAC and electrical industries will continue to be a challenge. The Nexstar Legacy Foundation scholarship program is designed to bring more professionals into the field. To learn more about the shortage of qualified technicians, see the articles below.

Click here to read an article from The Coloradan on HVAC careers
(Adobe Acrobat PDF format)

Check Out All The Fun From Past Legacy Foundation Fundraisers

These events are a great way to support the foundation and have fun with your friends from Nexstar. Click the link below to view a photo gallery from the 2006 Denver Super Meeting Legacy Foundation Golf Fundraiser.