In August 2007, seven students from Arizona, California, Colorado, and Idaho came to Central Arizona College (CAC) in Coolidge, AZ, the newest John Deere TECH Program school. On May 15, 2009, a special graduation and recognition event took place. Five students from this inaugural John Deere TECH class graduated, each receiving their degree plus having earned their hydraulic, electrical, and Service ADVISOR™ certifications. Dean Meier, John Deere Manager College Partnerships, organized the event and acted as master of ceremonies. Meier shared with the guests the history of the TECH Program at CAC, plus the background of each college instructor and each graduating student. Reno Branch Customer Support Manager Myron Hallauer gave the keynote address. When classes start again in August, the CAC TECH Program will have 12 first-year students. Five returning students will begin their second year. John Deere looks forward to the future of the CAC TECH Program as it supports dealers in the Reno Branch, serving eight states in the surrounding Southwest United States.

PHOTO CAPTION: Front Row (left to right):
Pat Harrington, Division Chair and JD TECH Coordinator Larry George, Tucson, AZ – Central Implement Brock Thompson, Riverton, ID – Greenline Equipment Austin Keller, Preston, ID – Greenline Equipment Gene Berg, JD TECH Instructor
Back Row (left to right):
Zachary Sandoval, Bakersfield, CA – South Kern Implement Chris Merchant, Yuma, AZ - RDO Garrett Hurt, JD TECH Instructor
NOT PICTURED: Eugene Williams, JD TECH Instructor, currently serving with US Armed Forces in Iraq until March 2010