Tech is Impactful—
Marketing may not seem to have much in common with wheelchair ramps or sprint car racing. But for Moraine Park Technical College alumnus Will Gerritts, the skills he learned in the classroom have fueled success in both. As owner of Amramp Wisconsin and a competitive sprint car racer, Gerritts uses marketing every day to build relationships, grow his business and connect with people across Wisconsin.
After spending one semester at a four-year institution, Gerritts returned home looking for a more practical and affordable option. Moraine Park offered both and accepted credits he earned in high school.
A conversation with an advisor introduced him to a newly launched Marketing program. The opportunity aligned with his growing interests and equipped him with skills that would later help him grow the family business. He was among the first students to graduate from the program in 2020.
Upon graduating, the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted the job market, making it difficult for new graduates to find employment.
“It ended up being a blessing in disguise that I couldn’t find a job right away,” Gerritts said. “It gave me the opportunity to focus on the family business and eventually take it over.”
Today, Gerritts is the owner of Amramp Wisconsin, a company dedicated to helping individuals maintain independence through accessibility solutions. Since taking over the business, he and his team have installed more than 200 wheelchair ramps across Wisconsin, helping hundreds of customers safely access their homes and communities. The family-operated business also provides stair lifts and other accessibility products while partnering with health care providers, disability organizations and senior centers throughout the state.
The marketing skills he developed at Moraine Park became essential to the company’s growth.
“Our customers are often searching for wheelchair ramps while sitting in a hospital room preparing to go home,” Gerritts said. “We do a lot of advertising through Google, Facebook and digital marketing in general. The Moraine Park marketing program, especially the digital side, taught me a lot about what to do in those scenarios.”
Outside of running a successful business, Gerritts has another passion: racing.
He has been racing since 2006, progressing from snowmobiles and dirt go-karts to competing in sprint car racing across Wisconsin with the IRA Sprint Car Series.
For Gerritts, racing and marketing have more in common than many people realize.
“Marketing and racing overlap quite a bit,” Gerritts said. “On the racing side, you’re working with sponsors and building relationships. On the business side, you’re trying to reach customers. You’re really using the same skills in both areas.”
Looking back, Gerritts believes Moraine Park provided exactly what he needed to turn opportunity into a career.
“For students considering Moraine Park, I highly recommend it,” Gerritts said. “You can learn everything you need and more here. It really gets you ready to go into the workforce and pursue your dreams.”
From helping Wisconsin residents regain access to their homes to competing on racetracks across the state, Gerritts continues to apply the lessons he learned at Moraine Park—proving that the right education can open doors in more ways than one.
Learn more about a career in marketing.