Moraine Park Technical College recognized its valued business and industry partners at the annual Business and Industry Partner Awards luncheon, held April 16 at the Fond du Lac Campus Conference Center. The event celebrated organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to workforce innovation, education and development through their partnership with the College in 2024.
“The partnerships we’re recognizing today—many of them go back years and even decades,” JoAnn Hall, dean of economic and workforce development (EWD) at Moraine Park, said. “That longevity means a great deal to the College but even more so to the communities we serve. These collaborations not only help ensure businesses remain strong and successful today but also drive economic growth for generations to come.”
Each year, Moraine Park honors five standout partnerships with the following awards: Excellence in Partnership, Employer of the Year, Innovation, New Partner of the Year and Workforce Development Champion.
“Our mission is to serve the employers in our region, and one of our strategic goals is to drive economic development in a meaningful way,” Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald said. “We believe very strongly in partnerships. For us, a true partnership means working toward a mutual goal, creating a win-win and building a foundation of trust. Our role is to upskill and reskill individuals who will help your organizations succeed. Thank you for allowing us to be your trusted workforce partner.”
Employer of the Year — Seneca Foods Corporation
Seneca, a leading processor of fruits and vegetables with a strong presence in Wisconsin and beyond, was honored as Moraine Park’s 2024 Employer of the Year for its longstanding investment in employee development and partnership with the College.
What began in 2005 with CPR training has grown into a robust collaboration focused on building workforce skills. In 2015, Seneca deepened its partnership with Moraine Park to address critical skill gaps in machining, safety, technical knowledge and leadership. Since then, the company has expanded training efforts from four to nine plant locations.
In 2024 alone, nearly 200 employees participated in training programs such as mill and lathe, industrial maintenance, CPR, supervision, welding, leadership, programmable logic controllers and preventative maintenance. Thousands more have participated over the years, gaining skills that directly improve productivity, safety and confidence on the job.
“On behalf of Seneca, I just want to say to Moraine Park and all the staff here—we honor our partnership with you and everything you do to advance our employees’ skills,” Dustin Farberg, director of human resources at Seneca Foods, said. “The ability to send our team for advanced training through your programs, facilities and instructors is a huge asset—not only to our company but to many others as well. We truly cherish this partnership and look forward to continuing it for years to come.”
Excellence in Partnership — Apache Stainless Equipment Corporation
Apache was named the 2024 recipient of Moraine Park’s Excellence in Partnership Award. Apache manufactures stainless steel tanks and equipment for a wide range of industries including food processing, biofuel, petroleum, pharmaceutical and consumer products.
The company has been a long-standing partner with the College—spanning more than a decade—demonstrating commitment through advisory involvement, student engagement, employee training and event sponsorships. In 2023, Apache partnered with Moraine Park to provide employee training in CNC milling and machining, mill and lathe operations, industrial maintenance and mental health first aid. Apache has also played an essential role in the College’s boot camp programs—mentoring and training 40 welding interns last year alone.
“We realized we needed to upskill the people we had, and the first place we turned was Moraine Park,” Pam Korth, director of human resources at Apache, said. “Trust is a big deal at our company. We are 100 percent employee owned and our core values align closely with Moraine Park’s. I’m so grateful to have a team at the College we can lean into. They’ve helped us tremendously to grow our employment base.”
New Partner of the Year — Washington County
Washington County was selected as Moraine Park’s 2024 New Partner of the Year for their visionary leadership and philanthropic commitment to workforce development and education in the region.
When Moraine Park launched its $2 million capital campaign to expand and enhance the West Bend Campus, Washington County, under the leadership of County Executive Josh Schoemann, stepped forward as the campaign’s first platinum giving champion. The County pledged a $500,000 matching gift, setting the pace for additional community investment.
“Through this first pledge, the College has secured a number of additional partnership opportunities and pledges,” Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald said. “As of today, the campaign has reached $1.54 million—thanks in large part to the momentum started by Washington County.”
In addition to their capital support, the County helped address another critical regional need: access to affordable childcare. They contributed $100,000 to the West Bend Community Foundation to launch a unique scholarship initiative. Combined with other community foundation donors, a total of $500,000 has been set aside to support early childhood education in the region for years to come. As a result, Moraine Park students training in early childhood education at the West Bend Campus are now receiving scholarship support—nearly $40,000 has been awarded in the first year alone.
Innovation Award — St. Mary’s Springs Academy
St. Mary’s Springs Academy (SMSA) received Moraine Park’s 2024 Innovation Award for its groundbreaking collaboration on the J-Term program—an initiative that brings hands-on, project-based learning to life for high school students.
The J-Term, held during the first two weeks of January, offers a unique opportunity for SMSA students to earn both high school and college credit through immersive, interdisciplinary courses. The program has already impacted 98 students over the past two years.
“Teamwork makes the dream work,” Eamonn O’Keefe, principal of SMSA, said. “We have a phenomenal team at St. Mary’s—open-minded educators, kids who are eager to try new things and learn—but without a partner like Moraine Park, we couldn’t offer the facilities and teacher expertise our students experience on campus. We’re very, very grateful.”
Workforce Development Champion — Melissa Bielinski, Kleen Test
The Workforce Champion Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant and lasting impact on workforce development in the region. This year’s awardee, Melissa Bielinski, human resources director at Kleen Test Products, exemplifies this through her strong dedication to employee advancement. Under her guidance, the company has established a robust training framework that raises the bar for professional growth. The program includes a formal application process, clear expectations and a peer mentorship component that connects participants with colleagues who have successfully completed the training—fostering a supportive and goal-oriented learning environment.
Bielinski’s approach has helped create a culture where continuous learning is encouraged and advancement is achievable. Her efforts have empowered employees to thrive in their roles and pursue long-term success within the company—strengthening both the individual careers and the overall workforce.
“I’ve been with Kleen Test for 20 years, and in my current role for 10,” Bielinski said. “Developing employees is something that is so critically important to me because I myself am someone who worked my way up in the company. It is so rewarding to welcome people into this program and watch how they grow, both personally and professionally, from start to finish.”