Northwood Tech News

The 2019 Technical Education Champion (TECh) Award recognizes Russ Davis Wholesale for outstanding contributions to Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC) and the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). The criteria includes the promotion of Wisconsin Technical Colleges, financial assistance, utilization of technical colleges for training, partnerships, and hiring of graduates, advocacy on the technical college system's behalf, and enhancement of the community as whole.

WITC President Dr. John Will said, “Russ Davis is doing all the things we hope businesses do when they partner with a technical college.”

Russ Davis recognized the importance of developing their workforce. They decided to take action by partnering with WITC to make sure they had employees to continue their success. WITC Workforce and Community Development Associate Dean, Liz Pizzi, worked with Russ Davis Wholesale to develop a creative solution. Part of the solution is contracting with WITC to train CDL drivers. The company has seen 16 CDL graduates that allowed the employees to move up in the company and earn higher-paying jobs with another CDL driver group starting September 9.

In addition, more than 30 managers have received leadership development training at WITC. Russ Davis also supports and participates in youth apprenticeship programming, and emphasizes the value of career and technical education to policy makers and community leaders.

Nicki O’Connell, Director of Human Resources said, “Russ Davis is thankful to have business partners like WITC.   In a time of tight labor markets and limited resources, employers must be creative on how they recruit and facilitate growth for their employees.  Russ Davis strives to create valuable career opportunities and by partnering with WITC, we have been able to give employees outstanding career paths, as well as meet continuing business growth demands.” 

This fall, WITC is offering the new Diesel Equipment Technician program with advisement from two Russ Davis employees. The first year of the two-year program is on the WITC-New Richmond campus with the second year at Hammond Truck and Trailer repair, a division of Russ Davis Wholesale. This is another example of a proactive solution to access skilled- workers.

Russ Davis, with locations in Hammond, Merrill, Lacrosse and 5 other locations across the United States employ over 600 people. It is a vital company for Hammond and surrounding communities. The Hammond location employs 150, which lies in WITC’s district.

For more information on employment opportunities at Russ Davis Wholesale, visit russdaviswholesale.com/careers. For more information on customized training and/or educational opportunities, visit witc.edu/customized-training.

WITC is grateful to all its community partnerships. Your support of the WITC Foundation is essential to student success. For information on how to contribute, visit witc.edu/donate.

A nationally top-ranked college and a designated 2019 Military Friendly® School, WITC serves the educational and career needs of more than 18,000 residents of Northwestern Wisconsin each year. With multiple campuses, WITC offers career-focused associate degree programs, technical diplomas, short-term certificates, customized business training, and a wide array of courses for personal or career enrichment. WITC is a member of the Wisconsin Technical College System and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org). For more information, call 800.243.WITC or visit witc.edu. WITC is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer and Educator.

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