Tradewinds August 2020 Web Final

COA receives trailer donation from J & J Enterprises
Edenton-Chowan– College of The Albemarle is gearing
up for fall 2020 and is excited to work with partners
like J & J Enterprises to ensure the equipment
needed to launch the new Truck Driving Program
is secured. Supporters like John Baker and Brandy
Pierce are making this program come to life through
their donation.
Without the support of our service area partners
new program offerings would not be possible when it
comes to funding the necessary equipment to run a
program. John and Brandy’s son Joshua Baker graduated
from COA’s Mechanical Engineering Technology
program in May 2016 and now works at the United
States Coast Guard Base as a contractor with his
Associates in Applied Science degree. Through their
experience with Joshua’s time at COA, they gained an
even deeper appreciation for the mission behind what
a community college does for its students by “Transforming
their Tomorrow” with convenient short-term
programs that align students in career paths relevant
to regional careers.
As a 25-year local business, J & J Enterprises owner
John Baker gave much appreciation for their success
to Jimbo Jumbo – Hampton Farms located in Edenton.
Without the continued support from this local
company their growth from starting with one truck to
now having 6 trucks and 23 trailers would not have
been possible. The career path for truck drivers has
evolved into a more flexible schedule as drivers have
the opportunity to work week days only to spend time
with family on weekends and or they can choose to
work as often as they like.
husband John grew up in
Edenton and attended JA
Holmes; this is a prime
example of the
opportunities available in
our region for business
owners who start a business
with a dream in
mind and make it a reality
through partnerships along the way.
COA is beyond grateful for the donation of this 1998
tractor trailer to use for classroom
instruction and are so excited to launch this program
to fill the demand needed for certified truck
drivers throughout northeastern North Carolina and
beyond.
For more information, contact the Workforce Development
and Continuing Education
department at 252-335-0821 ext. 2250.
Pictured: (Left to Right) Robin Zinsmeister, Dean,
Workforce Development, Public Services and
Career Readiness, Brandy Pierce and John Baker,
J&J Enterprises, Owners
IRT-1948I-A
Chuck O'Keefe
Financial Advisor
207 N Water St
Elizabeth City, NC 27909-4417
252-335-0352
edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
Being a woman is a terribly difficult task,
since it consists principally in dealing
with men.
-Joseph Conrad
The industry is also quite diverse. This is best illustrated
by Denise Cottle, a J & J Enterprises employee
who moved to North Carolina to take a position with
John and Brandy, fulfilling her childhood dream to
drive trucks. The career itself has advanced in its
technology offerings as well where electronic logs are
now kept and this in turn allows drivers a much more
efficient and effective logging system.
Brandy who grew up in her now front yard of their
business explained that both she and her
Enjoy Family Fun Day With Us
August 29th
Bring the Whole Family, Concessions,
Raffles, Touch a Truck Event,
Live Music, and Car Show
Lee Whitfield
828-729-7263 May 10th - August
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