Follow us on…
SJC instructor receives highest honor as a GM World Class Technician
Dr. Steve Horton, dean of technical education at the San Jacinto College Central campus; Greg Black, automotive technology instructor; Dr. Neil Matkin, SJC Central campus president.
PASADENA, Texas – Greg Black, a San Jacinto College automotive technology instructor of more than 20 years, recently received one of the industry’s highest honors as a General Motors (GM) World Class Technician, a title held by less than 1,000 technicians across the globe.
To gain such status, Black completed nine Master Technician certifications and National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications. He achieved his GM Master Technician status in 1983, a goal of many that he had set for himself over the course of his 45 years in the industry.
“I feel extremely honored to receive this award from General Motors,” Black said. “To me, this award represents another completion of a lifelong goal. I have always set my goals to be reachable and then proceed to accomplish them, even when it means having to jump over a lot of hurdles to get there.”
The Houston native began his career with the U.S. Air Force, serving overseas during the peak of the Vietnam War and maintaining jet aircraft being flown in and out of the war zone. After separating from the military, he earned his associate of applied science degree in automotive technology from San Jacinto College in 1978 and increased his automotive work experience in the Vehicle Maintenance section of the Transition Caretaker Force at Ellington Air Force Base, General Services Administration’s Motor Pool in Houston, and Bland Cadillac and Saab of Houston. He began teaching full time for the College in 1988.
Bringing more than four decades of automotive industry knowledge to SJC has enhanced instruction within the automotive department.
“I enjoy sharing what I have learned and accomplished with my students so they can use the information and knowledge to help them reach their life goals,” Black said, who drives more than 65 miles each day from Fulshear to teach his students.
In 2002, the SJC automotive department received the highest recruiting rate for the technical education division. Black received the 2002 Kent-Moore Training Leadership Award, one of eight GM Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) instructors to be recognized out of 150 instructors in the United States.
“We are extremely proud of Greg’s determination to take all of the necessary steps and his investment of time to become a General Motors World Class Technician,” said Dr. Steve Horton, SJC dean of technical education at the Central campus. “This award gives him the highest recognized status as a quality automotive instructor for our General Motors ASEP student trainees and the General Motors Master Class technicians attending classes at the Central campus.”
In addition to his automotive industry accomplishments, Black has also been recognized for his service to the U.S. Armed Forces as First Sergeant to the Commander of the 147th Fighter Wing at Ellington Field. He retired from the Texas Air National Guard in 2004 after serving 24 years and received various medals and awards, including the Meritorious Service Award, the Air Force Accommodation Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal. He remains active with the Ace-in-the-Hole Retiree’s Association of the 147th Reconnaissance Wing.
San Jacinto College serves more than 27,000 students in over 140 degrees and certificates in university transfer and technical programs. The College also serves the community through workforce training. Students come with various goals and aspirations and we are committed to their success. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.
For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150 or visit www.sanjac.edu.
Comments
Tell me what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!