Penn College’s Industry Ties Exemplified in Board Appointments

Published 06.14.2018

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The dean of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies has been appointed to the board of directors of the Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation.

Brett A. Reasner, dean since the Spring 2015 semester, is serving a three-year term with the foundation board, which addresses professional education and workforce development in the industry – including accreditation of postsecondary construction equipment technology programs.



Brett A. ReasnerHe was among the speakers at a recent Workforce Development Summit in New Orleans, serving on a panel with Wayne Brozak, vice president of support for 21st Century Equipment; Deb Franklin, vice president of human resources for CLAAS, a global leader in self-propelled harvesting equipment; and Dennis Vander Molen, chairman of the AED Foundation.

Penn College’s heavy construction equipment technology majors were first accredited by the association in 2004 and remain in good standing.

Justin W. BeishlineThe foundation has also tapped the expertise of Justin W. Beishline, an assistant dean of the school, in naming him to its Technical Training Committee. Members are representatives from dealers, manufacturers and postsecondary schools that offer programs in construction equipment technology. The goal of the committee is to advise and assist AEDF in the areas of industry image, workforce recruitment and school partnerships.

Beishline attended a committee meeting in Schaumberg, Illinois, during the Fall 2017 semester.

In announcing both appointments, AEDF remarked on both men’s academic expertise and knowledge of industry needs.

“Many of our faculty and staff, as Brett and Justin have been by AEDF, are often called upon for their expertise,” said Paul L. Starkey, vice president for academic affairs/provost. “Their contributions will help the foundation advance its mission, and I am confident they will represent Penn College well.”

From 1993 to 2007, Reasner was an associate professor and department head in aviation technology. He was awarded the college’s highest honor accorded to faculty –­ the Veronica M. Muzic Master Teacher Award – in 1999.

From 2007-11, he served as assistant dean and associate professor in the School of Natural Resources Management. From 2011-14, he served as assistant dean and associate professor in the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies.

Before his Penn College employment, Reasner worked as a lead mechanic for Delta Air Lines in Washington, D.C., from 1988-93.

He holds a master’s degree in education from Wilkes University, a bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance technology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an associate degree in aviation maintenance from Penn College forerunner Williamsport Area Community College.

Beishline, an instructor of diesel equipment technology at the college from the Fall 2008 semester until Spring 2015 – and assistant dean since Fall 2015 – worked for nine years in the industry before joining the faculty. He is among the recipients of Caterpillar’s student-nominated Pathfinder to Excellence Award.

A Penn College alumnus, he graduated in 2000 with an associate degree in diesel equipment technology and in 2002 with a bachelor’s in technology management. He also earned a Master of Education in instructional technology from Penn State.

For more about heavy construction equipment technology and other majors in Penn College’s School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies, call 570-327-4516.

For more about the college, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.