Strang Places Third in Business Plan Competition

SKANEATELES, NY (May 2, 2017) – Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES recently held the 8^th annual Lindy Business Plan Competition with twelve students from nine programs presenting business proposals before the school and five guest judges.

Skaneateles High School senior Clark Strang, who recently presented before the Skaneateles Central School Board of Education on his experiences within the BOCES program, finished third overall for his Man of Steel Metal Works proposal.

Strang, a serious forge and metal worker, has been doing metal work from his home for several years while also taking part in the BOCES Machining and Welding program.

Earlier this year Strang commented on his experiences at BOCES as well as his love for the trade.

“A lot of times when local farmers have issues or parts breaking on their equipment, they will bring them into our machine shop and our welding shop and we get to fix them,” said Strang.  “Now that I am in my second year I have moved on to learning CNC machining, which I really enjoy.  I have always loved working with my hands.  I’ve been able to make parts for tractors, diesel engines, and projects for myself.  It is a great pleasure to be in the program.”

Named in honor of the late Lindy Eiben, whose family has been a supporter of the BOCES program for many years; the 8^th annual Lindy Business Plan Competition began as a partnership with Cayuga Community College.

The BOCES staff responsible for the competition is proud to note that for the first time all three finalists in the competition are planning to move from concept, to actual business.

First place finishers Nate Lukins of Marcellus and Mark Wainwright of Union Springs are looking to move forward with their proposal for the L&W Organic Beef Farm, while second place finisher Jacob Bennett of Cato-Meridian is developing his proposal for Jacob’s Critter Getter Animal Control.

Strang is also seeking to move from the level of family tradition/serious hobbyist to operating Man of Steel Metal Works as a full-fledged business in the near future.

This year’s competition judges were Maureen Riester from the Cayuga Economic Development Agency; Cheryl Welles, from the Empire Federal Credit Union; Rob Forcey, publisher of the Citizen; Bill Prosser, School of Business Department Chair at Cayuga Community College; and Melisa Vormwald, guidance counselor at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES.

Keep in touch with continued Project 2021 coverage as well as events and happenings in relation to the Skaneateles Central School District by visiting online at www.skanschools.org or following the district’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Skaneateles.Schools/.