Somerset County Vocational & Technical School District Names 2024 Business Partner of the Year

BRIDGEWATER – John O’Connor, owner of Shade Tree Garage in Morristown, has been selected as Somerset County Vocational & Technical School District’s 2024 Business Partner of the Year. Mr. O’Connor was selected for his involvement, commitment, and contributions to the Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School (SCVTHS) Auto-Diesel program.

Mr. O’Connor has served on the Advisory Board for the Auto-Diesel program since 2019, providing insights into the auto repair industry. According to Automotive Instructor Philip Eng, “John has helped guide us in terms of automotive trends with regards to hiring, technical training, tools and equipment, and new employee expectations.” In addition, Mr. O’Connor was “one of the key members helping us with the rigorous evaluation of our Automotive Program conducted by ASE (Automotive Service Excellence), the entity that accredits and certifies our program. His natural leadership and ability to collaborate with the other team members helped us complete the evaluation with efficiency.”

In addition, Mr. O’Connor has provided instructors with opportunities for professional development, including sending Mr. Eng to the WorldPac Supplier and Tech Expo in Nashville, where he was able to participate in industry training sessions. The knowledge Mr. Eng gained was then applied to the classroom through updates to curriculum that will enhance the abilities of SCVTHS students, enabling them to be more competitive when they enter the job market.

Mr. O’Connor’s commitment to students does not stop when they graduate. He has helped students prepare for their careers, provided mentoring, and has also employed graduates at Shade Tree Garage, where the work environment allows them to continue to build on the skills they learned at SCVTHS.

For his contributions to the school community, Somerset County Vocational & Technical School District is proud to announce John O’Connor, owner of Shade Tree Garage, as the 2024 Business Partner of the Year.

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