It was great to be back at Kilgore Hall at NC State for the internship poster presentation event.
While all the presentations were impressive, one stood out to me the most: I had the pleasure of watching Jonathan Madler present on his small-engine mechanic internship, which he completed at our Apex CGM mechanic shop this semester.
Reflecting back to 2023, I first met Jonathan as an ambitious high school senior completing his very first internship with Bland Landscaping Company. Since then, his trajectory has been inspiring:
- He earned a full scholarship to the Ag Institute at NC State.
- He is preparing to graduate Summa Cum Laude.
- He is getting ready to embark on his next chapter as a business owner, well on his way to becoming a major player in our industry.
Seeing the professional Jonathan has become was an amazing feeling. It’s a powerful reminder of the impact that mentorship and hands-on experience can have on the next generation of industry leaders.
Congratulations, Jonathan! I look forward to seeing the great things you’ll achieve in your career. It has been awesome to play a small role in your career journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity.
