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FPC to receive $800,000 toward welding center |
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Thursday, November 20 2008 |
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Tom Pauken, Chairman for the Texas Workforce Commission By Michelle Berry
Reporter
Frank Phillips College will be receiving additional funds from the Texas Workforce Commission as it continues work on its new welding center.
FPC will receive a ceremonial check from the Texas Workforce Commission Skills Grant Fund for an additional $800,000 toward the construction of the Warren Chisum Welding and Safety Center.
The ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, in the FPC library. Remarks will be given by Dan Redd, CEO of the Borger Economic Development Corporation; the Honorable Kel Seliger, Senator, 31st District; the Honorable Warren Chisum, Representative, 88th District; and Tom Pauken, Chairman for the Texas Workforce Commission.
The Texas Workforce Commission awarded the college $1.3 million in ceremonies held on Nov. 7, 2007, for the initial construction of the facility. Pauken will be presenting the money to FPC during the ceremonies. He was appointed to the three-member commission in March of this year, and his commission appointment expires on Feb. 1, 2009.
He brings years of experience in public service to the Texas Workforce Commission, has held numerous leadership and business positions, and is an attorney and mediator.
In 2007, Pauken served as Chairman of the Governor’s Task Force on Appraisal Reform. He served in the White House Counsel Office under President Reagan and was appointed by the president to serve as director of ACTION, where he founded the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program. He also was instrumental in the implementation of First Lady Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No To Drugs” campaign.
He is a U.S. Army veteran and received a commission in military intelligence. He served in Vietnam as a Province Intelligence Officer and as a senior analyst for the Office of Strategic Research Analysis.
He serves on many boards and advisory councils, including President of TWP, Inc.; member, Future Matrix; Trustee of Capital Partner I I, Ltd., Liquidating Trust, Member; and former Chairman of Tutogen Medical, Inc. He is also a member and former chairman of TOR Minerals International, Inc., Past Vice President of Garvon, Inc., and Past President of KRZI Radio.
He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Veterans of Foreign War and the Knights of Columbus. He received a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a law degree from Southern Methodist University.
Pauken is author of the book “The Thirty Years War.” He and wife Ida reside in Dallas where they have seven children and nine grandchildren.
Dr. Herb Swender, president of FPC, said he is thankful that the State of Texas and the Texas Workforce Commission have captured the college’s vision to have a state-of-the art welding facility.
“Chairman Pauken and the Honorable Warren Chisum definitely understand the need to have a high-skilled available workforce, especially in the area of welding, safety, and fabrication,” he said. “State leadership from Representative Chisum makes a positive difference for Texas and especially for the people of the panhandle. High wage jobs are waiting for skilled workers in this region.”
He said with the addition of the new welding facility, FPC will be able to train workers to fill such jobs.
“Frank Phillips College has demonstrated its ability to deliver value-added training, welding and safety education, but was challenged with facility capacity,” Dr. Swender said. “This new state-of-the-art facility will enhance our region’s ability to address the need for increased capacity of human capital.”
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Last Updated ( Friday, November 21 2008 )
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