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May 25, 2013
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We are a small association of related schools committed to assisting our member schools through assistance in curriculum and certification that will help their graduates enter the workforce as "entry level" equipment operators.
NAHETS, Operator Certification Assessment Test (OPCAT)- The OPCAT Examination has been developed by the National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools as a fair, valid and reliable assessment of the essential skills heavy equipment operators and those who work in positions that support them need to demonstrate in order to be certified by NAHETS to operate heavy equipment and to perform these related skills. The examination was developed by NAHETS staff and research from areas of the mining, construction, utility, and equipment manufacturing industry, equipment operators, training directors, instructors, managers, supervisors, and manufacturers. NAHETS teamed their knowledge and experience with the exam development expertise of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Department of Education - Dr. Clifford R. McClain, Associate Professor for Workforce Education and Development within the Department, who advised the NAHETS in establishing curriculum and outcomes.
NAHETS, Yellow Metal Boot Camp - an outcomes based curriculum enhancement tool including text materials and video based training series that allows the student to read or view material and then perform an assigned task out in the field.
OWNERSHIP
The National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools, LLC is a limited liability company registered in the state of Nevada with Matt Klabacka majority owner. Common ownership of NAHETS and NAHETS member schools owned and operated by ATS-USA, LLC are as follows:
- ATSNETWORK-OKLAHOMA, LLC; dba, Oklahoma College of Construction
- ATSNETWORK-GEORGIA, LLC; dba, Georgia School of Construction
- Northern California School of Construction, LLC; dba, Northern California College of Construction
It has been understood, from inception, that initial membership in NAHETS may consist exclusively of schools owned by ATS-USA, LLC due to:
- Limits in competition
- Resistance from peers who may view NAHETS as a competitor
- Ignorance of NAHETS mission
- Previous relationships with a major competitors, namely Associated Training Services, ATS, and ATS Affiliates
- Historical evidence of the industry's resistance to associate
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Meet our Staff
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Matt Klabacka
Chairman
Matt is the youngest of Robert Klabacka's six son's. Robert was the founder of the National Institute of Concrete Construction in 1959. Matt carries on a long family tradition of offering quality construction related training programs. Matt's other brothers also operate construction related training programs in the United States. Matt and his brothers train more heavy equipment operators than any other organization in the United States and Canada.
Soon after Robert Klabacka's death, Matt founded the National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools, NAHETS. Matt's brothers continue to operate their own separate training sites. Matt was able to see a need for an educational organization dedicated to the heavy equipment operator training programs.
Matt's commitment to education can be traced back to his significant personal educational achievements:
- Bachelors of Science after 15 years of college at UNLV as a working student. (1980 - 1995)
- Master in Education from UNLV in 1997 as a working student (1995-1997)
- Founder and president Emeritus of Heritage College in Las Vegas, NV. (1990-1998)
- Accreditation Team Leader for ACCSCT 4 years, (1990-1995)
- Invited Guest Speaker "Focus 1996", Moscow, Russia (1996)
- Past president of the Nevada private School Association (1991-1994)
- Founder Northern California College of Construction, Stockton, CA(2007)
- Founder Red Rock College Oklahoma City, OK (2005)
- Founder Georgia College of Construction Conyers, GA(2006)
- Founder of NAHETS (2006)
Matt volunteers in the community in many ways, including being a little league baseball coach, high school golf coach, Boy Scouts of America, and volunteer community service work. Matt is a happily married family man with three children.
Favorite Quote: "Work Like You Don't Need the Money" |
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Garry Hayes
Corporate Counsel
Garry is the corporate counsel for NAHETS, and has been providing legal advice and strategic decisions since the company began. Garry is from Harlingen, Texas, but has been living in Las Vegas long enough to call it home. Garry's formal education was earned at Brigham Young University. He is currently a member of the Clark County Bar, the NV Bar, and Preservation Association of Clark County. |
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Brian Thornton
Technology Director
Brian is leads our Technology initiatives. Brian is a industry leader responsible for 2 pending patents relating to CRM systems and creator of the OPCAT registry used to allow high performing crane operators access to jobs worldwide. Brian is a Colorado native and founder of numerous high performing technology and education companies. Brian is a member of the Boulder Colorado Mensa, Metro North Chamber of Commerce, cofounder of the Education Media Clearinghouse, and frequently speaks to technology educators nationwide.Brian enjoys the rotary, occasional traveling, rodeos, sports and technology. Brian is a recruiting leader for Thornton Colorado iWatch program, and volunteer for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program. |
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Julie Johnson
Payroll/HR
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Jarad.VanWagoner VanWagoner
Director of Development
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Kim.Coons Coons
Admin. Asst.
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Mike Wille
Web Developer
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Bob Albano
COO
Experience
- Thirty plus years in the heavy construction materials and heavy civil construction industry
- President/CEO, American Asphalt & Grading Company, Las Vegas, NV
- Rinker Group, LTD. President Rinker Materials West, LLC., Vice-President Rinker Group
- Lone Star Industries, General Manager Central Illinois Ready-Mix, Aggregates & Block Operations
- I.C. Materials, Inc., General Manager, Board Member, stakeholder
Boards & Associations
- Past President of Southern Nevada Concrete & Aggregates Association
- Past board member of Southern Nevada Concrete & Aggregates Association
- Past board member of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
- Past Co-Chairman of Concrete-Pac of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
- 2006 Grassroots Activist of the Year Award, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
- Past board member of the Clark County Public Education Foundation
- Current board member of Safe Nest, a domestic violence assistance group
- Past board member of the Argenta-Oreana, Illinois Citizens Advisory Committee
- Co-Founder Argenta-Oreana, Illinois Public Education Foundation
- Recipient of State of Illinois School Association?s Volunteer Award
Education
- Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- Franklin College, Franklin, IN
- Eckerd College Leadership Development Institute
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