 |
| Chris Kurt-Electronics/Telecommunications Instructor and Zak Crider- Machine Tool Instructor |
TN College
of Applied Technology at McKenzie is thrilled to announce two new additions to
our faculty.
Chris Kurt
has been hired as the new Electronics/Telecommunications instructor and Zak
Crider has been hired as the new instructor for Machine Tool Technology.
Chris, whose
father was in the military, grew up all over the country, but his family is
originally from Iowa. He graduated from
East High School in Dubuque, Illinois, and joined the Air Force shortly
thereafter. Chris has an extensive
background in electronics and telecommunications, having served 22 years as an
Electronics Technician while in the military.
He has an Associate of Applied Science in Electronics and also an
Associate of Applied Science in Technical Education. Chris retired from the Air Force August 1st,
2014 after 22 years. He is married and
currently lives in Paris, TN. He joined
the TCAT staff in January of 2015.
Zak is a
native of Milan, TN. He graduated from
Milan High School and attended Freed-Hardeman University for 2 years as a pre-engineering
major. For health reasons, he could no
longer continue his studies at Freed-Hardeman, so he changed his focus. He came to school at TCAT-McKenzie and
enrolled in the Machine Tool Technology program. While enrolled in school, he was a member of
the Student Senate, National Technical Honor Society, and SkillsUSA. He represented TCAT-McKenzie at the state
competition for SkillsUSA, winning a bronze medal in Precision Machine
Technology. Zak completed the 20 month Machine Tool Technology program in a
year, graduating and earning his Machinist 1 diploma. He then continued his education at
TCAT-Jackson. While there, Zak again was
chosen to represent his school at the state competition of SkillsUSA, this time
receiving a gold medal in CNC Technician.
He then went on to compete in the National SkillsUSA competition in
Louisville, KY, where he placed top ten in the nation. Zak completed the Machine Tool at
TCAT-Jackson, earning his diploma from there as well. Zak joined the TCAT-McKenzie staff in July of
2015. He currently resides in Medina,
TN.
We are
honored to have them join the staff at TCAT-McKenzie.
