LSCO, Industry Partners Announce Creation of Golden Triangle FAME Chapter

May 3, 2023


ORANGE, TX – Lamar State College Orange and local industry partners announced a partnership today to create a chapter of the national Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education Program (FAME). The Golden Triangle FAME Chapter will allow students to achieve a specialized education in the skills needed for rapidly evolving industry positions while earning two-year associate degrees with potentially zero student-loan debt. Students supported by Core Member industry partners will simultaneously undergo on-the-job training. The chapter is only the fourth FAME Chapter in Texas.

The founding industry partners include:

  • International Paper (Core Member)
  • Cloeren Incorporated (Core Member)
  • ISS/Buna Electric Motor Service (Core Member)
  • Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (Associate Member)
  • Dow Sabine River Operations (Associate Member)
  • United Rentals (Supporting Member)
  • Lamar State College Orange (Supporting Member)
  • Orange County Economic Development Corporation (Supporting Member)
  • Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas (Supporting Member)

Core Members include employers of technical talent which intend to sponsor students in LSCO’s Electromechanical Technology Program and upcoming FAME cohort. Supporting Members include any public or private sector organization which provides critical support to Core Member companies in utilizing and gaining the greatest beneficial impact from the program. Associate Members include members who have an interest in membership and/or who bring value to the chapter. Employers who will actively sponsor students through the program starting in Fall 2023 include International Paper, Cloeren Incorporated, ISS/Buna Electric Motor Service, and United Rentals.

“Billions are forecasted to be invested in Southeast Texas in the coming years in industry projects, and the creation of this FAME Chapter with our partners in industry is another example of how we are attempting to meet the immense needs for skilled, ready-to-work employees in a Talent Strong Texas,” said LSCO President Dr. Tom Johnson.

FAME was created by Toyota and then moved to the Manufacturing Institute, part of the National Association of Manufacturers, to scale the program nationally in 2019. FAME USA now has 38 chapters supported by more than 400 company partners across 14 states. More than 1,500 students have graduated from the program nationally since 2012. The Fall 2022 graduating class was the largest ever.

“It’s been an honor working with this dedicated group to bring FAME to Southeast Texas. FAME will be an incredible asset to our region as it helps to build a locally skilled workforce pipeline in an effort to retain our homegrown talent,” said Stacey Nichols, Golden Triangle FAME board president and Global Manufacturing Training Coordinator for International Paper, who has been working for over a year to bring the program to the area.

“I am excited to see this great group of employers coming together with Lamar State College Orange to create the newest chapter in the growing TX FAME network! With an energetic group of employers and a supportive college working in close collaboration, the new TX FAME - Golden Triangle Chapter is poised to positively change the lives of participants while filling critical talent shortages. This program will make the area stronger economically while also building a lifelong foundation for success for every single student who participates. We appreciate the great local partners and look forward to supporting your continued growth,” said Tony Davis, National Director of FAME USA.

Recruitment is underway for industry partners and for students who will begin classes in Fall 2023. Students can submit an application by May 30th at https://fame-usa.com/fame-program-locations/texas-fame/golden-triangle/. Industry partners who may be interested in joining the Golden Triangle FAME Chapter can contact Stacey Nichols (stacey.nichols@ipaper.com).

FAME Golden Triangle Chapter Founding Members
Pictured, left to right: FAME Founding Members: Sean McFarland, ISS/Buna Electric Motor Service; Robert Lovelace, Dow Sabine River Operations; Mike Culbertson, International Paper; Carrie Phillips, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company; Dereck Cloeren, Cloeren Incorporated; John Fielder, United Rentals; Dr. Tom Johnson, Lamar State College Orange; Pooja Tripathi, FAME USA
FAME Golden Triangle Board Members
Pictured, left to right: FAME Board Members: Robert Lovelace, Dow Sabine River Operations; Sean McFarland, ISS/Buna Electric Motor Service; Akilah Lewis, International Paper; Brittney Jones, International Paper; Brianne Danzeisen, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company; Stephen Sandberg, Cloeren Incorporated; Dereck Cloeren, Cloeren Incorporated; Stacey Nichols, International Paper; John Fielder, United Rentals; Pooja Tripathi, FAME USA; Megan Layne, Orange County Economic Development Corporation; Mary Hammon, Southeast Texas Workforce Solutions; Chrissy Babcock, Dow Sabine River Operations

The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) network is comprised of employer-led chapters sponsoring students through a work/learn model over five semesters in conjunction with a college partner. The Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program, a FAME co-op, produces global-best, entry-level multiskilled maintenance technicians to excel in today's advanced manufacturing environments. The FAME USA network is managed and supported by The Manufacturing Institute; learn more at FAME-USA.com.

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of planet-friendly packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of North America's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what's next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2022 were $21.2 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com.

Cloeren Incorporated is a family-owned business headquartered in Orange, Texas. Cloeren is the global leader in the design and manufacture of extrusion tooling used to produce food, medical, and pharmaceutical packaging, personal care products, and other consumer goods. Cloeren operate facilities in Orange, TX; Marshall, TX; Eau Claire, WI; and Micheldorf, Austria; as well as service centers around the globe. In addition, Cloeren have recently ventured into the aerospace industry and are supplying custom made components to exacting tolerances for space flight out of its Orange, TX facilities.

ISS/Buna Electric Motor Service is a customer-focused service for motor repairs, sales, and storage. We are an established service to all types of industries nationwide like steel mills, power, refineries, chemical plants, and manufacturing.

Chevron Phillips Chemical is one of the world’s top producers of olefins and polyolefins and a leading supplier of aromatics, alpha olefins, styrenics, specialty chemicals, plastic piping and polymer resins. With approximately 5,000 employees, Chevron Phillips Chemical and its affiliates own nearly $18 billion in assets, including 31 manufacturing and research facilities in six countries. Chevron Phillips Chemical is equally owned indirectly by Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and Phillips 66 Company and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. For more information about Chevron Phillips Chemical, visit www.cpchem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter: @chevronphillips.

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth; asset integration and scale; focused innovation and materials science expertise; leading business positions; and environmental, social and governance leadership to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. The Company's ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. Dow's portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated, science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Dow operates manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 37,800 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $57 billion in 2022. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI) was founded in 1997 and quickly became the world’s largest equipment rental provider. Today, our company continues to build on its industry leadership with a best-in-class range of resources and the largest customer service network of its kind in North America.

Lamar State College Orange is part of the Texas State University System. The System, founded in 1911, is Texas’s first university system. TSUS member institutions serve more than 87,000 students on 13 campuses from far West Texas to the Gulf Coast.

Orange County Economic Development Corporation was formed in 2003 to better serve the economic development needs of Orange County. The County of Orange, the Orange County Port and Navigation District and the Cities of Bridge City, Orange, Pinehurst, Vidor, and West Orange realized the strengths gained by pooling resources to attract quality jobs and investments to Orange County. The Corporation provides tools and resources to assist new and existing businesses expand or relocate to Orange County.

Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas is a business-led group of volunteers that evaluates and oversees the delivery of all workforce training and employment services in Hardin, Jefferson and Orange Counties. The board’s overall mission is to identify opportunities and create partnerships that effectively link employers and job seekers to improve the economic future of the area. Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas brings together a myriad of programs for easy access for employers and job seekers.

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