By the New Jersey Council of County Colleges

TRENTON, N.J. — On June 19, during its annual New Jersey Community College Awards Ceremony, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges presented the 2017 Community College Spirit Award to Neil Cavaleri, vice president of manufacturing at Zodiac Aerospace, for his exemplary support of New Jersey’s community colleges.

“Since its inauguration in 1993, the Community College Spirit Award has been an honor bestowed to those who embody the community college spirit – perseverance, dedication and excellence,” said NJCCC Chair Helen Albright.

Cavaleri was honored for his advocacy work on behalf of the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development.

“The Workforce Consortium was started in 2004 to better meet the training needs of businesses throughout the state, whatever their size,” Albright said. “One of the reasons it has been so successful is because of the support it has garnered from key business leaders throughout the state, such as Neil.”

He has been instrumental in Zodiac Aerospace’s over 30-year partnership with Brookdale Community College, utilizing the College’s training and career services to help his employees get ahead in their careers and in their lives.

Cavaleri, a Brookdale Community College alumnus, hosted the 10th anniversary celebration event of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association Basic Skills Workforce Training Program at Zodiac Aerospace, and was the keynote speaker at the 50th anniversary celebration of New Jersey’s community colleges, hosted by New Jersey Congressman William Pascrell as part of the annual Association of Community College Trustees National Legislative Seminar in Washington, D.C., in February 2017. He was honored alongside colleagues from Zodiac Aerospace at the Brookdale Community College Foundation’s 2017 Scholarship Ball, held June 9 at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club in Farmingdale.

The New Jersey Council of County Colleges is the state association representing New Jersey’s 19 community colleges. As an independent, trustee-headed organization that joins the leadership of trustees and presidents, the Council is the voice of the community college sector before the state legislature and other branches of government.