McKenzie, who heads up the Paintsville, KY school’s heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (hvacr) department, also owns and operates Four Seasons Heating & Cooling. He knows how important it is to tell young people about the career potential in hvacr service work, and he travels to area votech centers and high schools to spread the word.

“We set up actual hands-on demonstrations,” says McKenzie, who was awarded an honorable mention in The News Best Instructor contest. “I feel that this gives a prospective student a chance to see what the training consists of.”

Student Greg Rose said that “Mr. McKenzie has totally revamped the hvac program and has been instrumental in bringing in donations of equipment and industry.” He “demonstrates the highest level of professional commitment and competency in his work with students and colleagues.”

McKenzie himself says, “I feel that the classroom environment can only teach the student so much. I take my students on field trips to area businesses and distributors. Mayo also builds a house every two years, and my class installs the hvac.”

Publication date: 09/25/2000