SkillsUSA Ohio
State Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Robert Kornack
Board President
Assistant Director Trade & Industry at Ohio Department of Education & Workforce
As you meet Robert Kornack, President of the Board of Directors for SkillsUSA Ohio, you will be impressed with his authenticity, level of commitment to his family and career, as well as his passion for public service. Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Robert relocated to Columbus, Ohio to attend The Ohio State University where he earned his Bachelor’s in Business Economics, subsequently in 2022, he earned his MBA from Youngstown State University.
Upon graduation from High School, Robert began an apprenticeship at Gulu Electric and received three promotions, ultimately fulfilling the role of Training Director. “I was always good with my hands and strong in leadership skills but decided in 2018 that I wanted to redirect my career to public service, so that I could impact others through policy change, support those less fortunate, and advocate for inclusivity. Therefore, in March 2018, Robert was hired as an Intern at The Accountability Office of The Ohio Department of Education. One year later, he was promoted to The Education Program Specialist Office of Career Technology and currently, Robert is the Assistant Director of Career Technical Education at The Ohio Department of Education.
Serving on the Executive Board of SkillsUSA Ohio allows Robert the opportunity to provide advice and discuss strategic planning with Jackie Walker, Executive Director of SkillsUSA Ohio. Together their focus is to encourage students to enter skilled trades, to provide professional development and leadership opportunities, to facilitate competitive events, and to celebrate the success of the Student Members. “We are intentional about aligning competitions to industry standards as well as to the standards of The Ohio Department of Education. Our model is sustainable and we have grown the number of industry partnerships while growing the number of SkillsUSA Ohio Board Members. We are proud to say that all Board Members are engaged and dedicated to the Mission.”
Stuart Cowan
Owner-Somerset Custom Homes
Introducing Stuart Cowan, Executive Committee, SkillsUSA Ohio
Stuart Cowan, Executive Committee Member and VP of the Board of Directors for SkillsUSA Ohio embody drive and passion for education along with an exemplary background in Construction and Non-Profit Board Service. Born and raised in Mason, Ohio, Stuart is proud of the fact that his family’s roots in Warren County go as far back as the 1800s. Following in his Father’s footsteps as a carpenter, Stuart began ‘driving nails’ at the age of 8. “I was always watching and learning from my Dad and I knew in High School that I wanted to pursue the Home Building Industry, so I elected to take drafting courses along with general college prep.
Stuart has been building and remodeling in the Greater Cincinnati area for over five decades. Stuart met Jackie Walker, Executive Director of SkillsUSA Ohio in 2018 when she attended an Ohio Home Builders Association Board Meeting. She was seeking a new major sponsor plus a coordinator for the TeamWorks competition. Ohio Home Builders Association stepped up as that major sponsor and in short order, Stuart was the coordinator for the TeamWorks portion of the SkillsUSA Ohio State Competition, held annually at The Greater Columbus Convention Center. Due to Stuart’s comprehensive background in the skilled-trades industries, he is in complete alignment with SkillsUSA Ohio’s mission of developing workforce skills at the surface level, in conjunction with instilling and developing critical core values.
Stuart is instrumental in planning, coordinating, procuring materials, and selecting judges for the competition which consists of 18 teams of 4 students. “The fact that SkillsUSA has created professional competitions for every vocational trade is an amazing feat. But I feel the real value is found through instilling respect, professional skills such as proper eye contact, handshakes, etc. –what others commonly refer to as ‘old-school’ manners – – into our students.” Based on students’ scores at Regional events, they move on to the State Competition. Through SkillsUSA Ohio, students are empowered to elect their own leadership teams. The Awards Show, which occurs the day after the Competition, is student-driven. They learn how to work together and plan and facilitate the Awards Show.
In addition to the ‘trade skills’ on which the students are being scored, they are also being judged on resume writing and interviewing skills – – both critical elements to their success in the marketplace. “Students who participated in SkillsUSA have a distinct advantage over students who do not have a clear and focused career path as they graduate from High School. I constantly remind our students that they are today’s workforce and tomorrow’s employers. We nurture the Entrepreneurial spirit which is already within our students and encourage them to become Business Owners, so they can employ others.”
Not only is Stuart a successful custom home builder, but he imparts wisdom and pours into his trade, as well as into the students. Collectively, Stuart has 35+ years of nonprofit Board service including being Past President of the Cincinnati Home Builders Association, Past President of the Ohio Home Builders Association, and currently serves on the Board of the Ohio Home Builders Charitable Foundation. Since education is one of Stuart’s highest values, he also teaches Accredited Continuing Education Classes through the Cincinnati Board of Realtors.
Stuart Cowan is the epitome of what SkillsUSA Ohio stands for and instills in our youth. He encourages students to be responsible and take control of their own destinies. He is known to say, “There are three things in life you can control – – What you say, what you think; and what you do.”
Stuart Cowan, Executive Committee, SkillsUSA Ohio
Julie Brinkman
Assistant Principal
Buckeye Career Center
Introducing Julie Brinkman, Executive Board Committee Member
Julie Brinkman, Executive Board Committee Member of SkillsUSA Ohio, defines her mission as providing genuine care and encouragement for the younger generation. As a former Teacher and as the Vice Principal of the Buckeye Career Center, for the past 15+ years, she is fulfilling her passion every day. Born and raised in New Philadelphia, Ohio, Julie married at a young age and for 18 years she was a stay-at-home mom raising their two daughters. During this time, Julie was extremely involved in their church and the Elders approached her and asked her to be the Preschool Director.
Therefore, Julie embarked on pursuing her Educational Degrees to fulfill this responsibility, and then throughout the course of the next 10 years, she earned her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Stark State College (North Canton, OH), her Bachelor in Family Consumer Science with an emphasis in Child Development from Kent State University (Kent, OH) along with her Master’s in Educational Administration. She began her career at the Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia, Ohio as an Early Childhood Teacher and was promoted after 6 years to the position of Vice Principal.
Due to Julie’s affiliation as President of the Career Technical Educational Professionals Association, she has been working with the SkillsUSA Ohio programs and competitions for 15+ years. “My passion and mission are in complete alignment with Skills, and I am proud to serve on the Executive Board Committee. I am in the position to support and encourage students who are from rural towns and expose them to career and business opportunities not only at the local level but at the Regional, State, and National levels. Students need to be made aware of what is available to them, and they need our direction because they don’t know—what they don’t know.”
SkillsUSA Ohio enables students to enter and advance in their chosen career path and then ultimately succeed in their Industry. Julie appreciates the collaboration between the 20+ SkillsUSA Ohio Board Members who are equally comprised of Educators and Business Industry Partners. “It is critical for us to work in tandem to hear and understand Industry needs in order to ensure our students are equipped and prepared to fulfill those needs. Marrying business with education— is what we achieve—and that creates a win-win scenario.”
Julie’s supportive and encouraging nature is evident by the number of competitions that she attends. She travels to Regional, State, and National competitions, as the majority of the students do not have family members present to cheer them on, and Julie wants the students to excel in showcasing their talents. “I hear time and time again; how important my presence is to the students. They come up to me and sincerely thank me for being there!”
Julie Brinkman is in the Education Industry because it allows her to positively impact and empower youth, which is how she is designed. Her journey began as she cared for her own daughters and provided daycare services from her own home. Fortunately, she accepted the position of running the Church Preschool and forged ahead to earn the required credentials. Her ‘accidental’ career path, has landed her exactly where she should be as Vice Principal of Buckeye Career Center, President of the Career Technical Educational Professionals Association, and as Executive Board Committee Member at SkillsUSA Ohio. Julie is known to say, “You need to train a child in the way they should go, and when they are older, they won’t depart from it.”
Julie Brinkman, Executive Board Committee Member,
Board of Directors
Kenny Hall
Columbus Collision Education Group
Elissa Heal
Sentinel Director
Elissa has been actively involved with SkillsUSA for the past eighteen years and has served on the board of directors for the past year. She has been employed with Vanguard Sentinel Career & Technology Centers in Fremont Ohio, for the past twenty four years; four as an agriculture instructor and FFA advisor, two as a career based intervention coordinator, and the last eighteen as a career tech building and central office administrator. Elissa is a member of the Ohio Career Tech Administrators Executive Board and SkillsUSA Ohio state staff overseeing all the leadership competitions: Elissa lives in Bellevue, Ohio with her husband Joe. She is a country girl at heart and has spent her entire life around agriculture. She is passionate about volunteering, giving to charitable causes, jogging and spending time with family and friends.
John Zehentbauer
Superintendent
Mahoning County Career & Technical Center
Toby Prinsen
Assistant Director of Adult Education
Apollo Career Center
Toby currently services on the SkillsUSA Ohio Board of Directors. He has been with Apollo Career Center for 18 years. The first 13 years as an instructor in Precision Machining/CNC where his students were involved with SkillsUSA Ohio in leadership rolls and competition at the local, state, and national levels. Toby has spent 2 years as a business and industry liaison and the last 3 years as the assistant director of Adult Education. Toby now oversees apprenticeship programs in Electrical, Machine Repair/Maintenance, Millwright, and Toolmaker career fields.
Jon Ranly
CEM, Director of Business Development
Area Energy & Electric Inc.
In his role with Area Energy & Electric, Inc., Jon has hired Skilled Trades apprentices through various career centers in the state for the past 12 years. He is a member of the Association of Energy Engineers and a Certified Energy Manager with expertise in Industrial Facilities and processes.
Jon’s passion for the skilled trades began at a young age, working with family members in support of their construction and carpentry businesses in Minster, Ohio. He is a U.S. Army Veteran, having served two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He graduated from The Ohio State University following his time in the military.
Andy Boff
CEM, Director of Business Development
Area Energy & Electric Inc.
In his role with Area Energy & Electric, Inc., Jon has hired Skilled Trades apprentices through various career centers in the state for the past 12 years. He is a member of the Association of Energy Engineers and a Certified Energy Manager with expertise in Industrial Facilities and processes.
Jon’s passion for the skilled trades began at a young age, working with family members in support of their construction and carpentry businesses in Minster, Ohio. He is a U.S. Army Veteran, having served two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He graduated from The Ohio State University following his time in the military.