OCTC's Jason Simon Appointed to NOCTI Board of Directors
Owensboro, KY (08/03/2026) — Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) is proud to announce that Jason Simon, Executive Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Collaborative (AMTEC) has been appointed to the Board of Trustees/Directors for the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) and Nocti Business Solutions (NBS). Headquartered in Big Rapids, Michigan, NOCTI is the nation's leading provider of industry-based credentialing and technical skills assessments, serving schools, career and technical education programs, and teacher certification programs since 1966. NOCTI established Nocti Business Solutions (NBS) in 1999, to offer pre-employment testing, technical skills assessments, prior learning assessments, and certifications.
"Jason's appointment to the NOCTI Board is a tremendous honor and a reflection of his national leadership in advanced manufacturing education," said Dr. Scott Williams, Chancellor of OCTC. "His commitment to innovation, workforce development, and strong industry partnerships has elevated both AMTEC and OCTC on a national stage. We are proud to see his expertise recognized through this prestigious appointment and know he will make meaningful contributions to NOCTI's mission."
Simon is a nationally recognized leader in advanced manufacturing education with more than 20 years of experience developing innovative workforce solutions. As Executive Director of AMTEC, housed at OCTC, he leads national initiatives focused on Industry 4.0, advanced manufacturing, and workforce-aligned technical education. He also serves as Principal Investigator for multiple National Science Foundation-funded projects that advance innovation in technical education and strengthen partnerships between education and industry.
Under Simon's leadership, AMTEC has developed nationally recognized advanced manufacturing and automation training programs in collaboration with leading industry partners, including Boeing, Toyota, and zSpace. He has led the development of groundbreaking initiatives such as the AMTEC Integrated System Simulator, a virtual reality training platform, and nationwide professional development programs that equip educators with emerging technologies and instructional strategies. Simon is also a frequent presenter at national conferences, where he shares best practices for integrating technologies such as robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and extended reality into manufacturing education.
Simon joins three other newly appointed board members including: Jan Hanlon, Executive Director, Mountain State Educational Services Cooperative (West Virginia); Kristin Petrunin, Ph.D., Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR), Lewisville Independent School District (Texas); and Suzanne Foran, Director of Business Development, Eckerd Connects (Connecticut).
As a member of the NOCTI/NBS Board of Trustees/Directors, Simon will help guide the organization's strategic direction as it continues to advance high-quality technical education, workforce credentialing, and industry partnerships that prepare learners for success in today's rapidly evolving workforce.
"These individuals bring a powerful combination of educational leadership, workforce expertise, and industry insight," said Dr. Kathleen McNally, NOCTI/NBS CEO. "Their perspectives will help guide NOCTI/NBS as we continue to expand our impact and support learners, educators, and employers nationwide."
##
Owensboro Community & Technical College is one of the sixteen community and technical colleges that make up the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. OCTC serves the KY counties of Daviess, Hancock, Ohio and McLean. OCTC has three campuses in Daviess County and a Center and Annex in Hancock County. OCTC strives to serve the communities in the service area by providing associate degree education for transfer, state of the art technical education for students focusing on entering the workforce, customized business and industry solutions through the Workforce Solutions division, and adult education and business and industry testing through the SkillTrain unit.
#
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the Commonwealth's largest postsecondary institution with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. We also are Kentucky's largest provider of workforce training and online education. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. We help students fulfill their dreams of creating a better life through programs that lead directly to jobs or help them transfer to one of our four-year partners.
Connect with OCTC: Owensboro.kctcs | Facebook.com/owensboroctc | Twitter@OCTC_Tweets | Instagram OwensboroCTC
Media Attachments
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Bernie Hale (270) 686-4506, Bernie.hale@kctcs.eduShare this Story
Recent News
- OCTC Hosting Pathfinder Day & Saturday Registration
- Hawthorne Named OCTC Paramedic Technology Program Coordinator
- OCTC to Honor 95 GED Recipients at Graduation
- OCTC's AMTEC and Lowry Controls Launch The CUBE Simulator
- OCTC CDL Program Hosting Information Session on Tuesday, June 23rd
- OCTC President's List Spring 2026
- OCTC to Host Downtown Campus Open House on June 13
- OCTC Dean's List Spring 2026
- OCTC Foundation Inc. Receives $7,000 Grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to Support Adult Literacy
- Daviess County High School's Matt Brannon Named 2026 OCTC Pathfinder of the Year