FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2019
Contact: Jarrod Nagurka
jnagurka@acteonline.org, 703-683-9312
CTE Announces Ohio Executive Director as 2020 National Winner
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Thomas Applegate, Executive Director at National Council of Local Administrators in Westerville, Ohio, as the recipient of the 2020 National ACTE Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes CTE professionals for their leadership on behalf of ACTE, their innovations in CTE and their contributions to the field over an extended period of time. For the first time ever at the Awards Gala, ACTE also inducted all five Lifetime Achievement national finalists into the new ACTE Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors the leadership of CTE professionals who have made enduring contributions to CTE throughout their career.
Applegate is a lifelong educator and workforce development professional having served as a high school CTE teacher (marketing education), adult education instructor, college instructor and college dean. Currently he serves as the Executive Director for the National Council of Local Administrators of Career and Technical Education (NCLA).
Previously Applegate has served in a variety of capacities, including as the Executive Director for the Ohio Association of Career and Technical Superintendents and as the Executive Dean at Austin Community College (ACC) in Texas. Applegate has also served as the Associate State Director for CTE in Ohio. His responsibilities included business/industrial training and development, adult basic and literacy education, the marketing of CTE and intra state agency linkages. Additionally he has served in many leadership roles, including as the president of ACTE.
A noted authority in workforce development issues and CTE, Applegate has worked both within the U.S. and internationally, and has provided consulting services to numerous countries, states, colleges, universities and school districts.
Applegate was one of five finalists for the 2020 national title. The national winner was announced at the ACTE Awards Gala, a dinner and award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the
country. The event took place on Wednesday evening, December 4, during ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2019 in Anaheim, California. The Awards Gala was sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, CareerSafe, Goodheart-Willcox, eDynamic Learning and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.
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About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.