Sen. Hayes (left) talking with our current class with BTI Executive Director Leslie Prewitt (center) and BTI Program Director Dr. Wayne Butscher looking on.

Sen. Hayes Visits BTI

On September 9, 2020, Maryland State Senator Antonio Hayes (D, District 40, Baltimore City) visited BTI to tour our facility, meet with students, hear from alumni, learn more about our program and how he might be of help. 

BTI Board President Pablo Pineyro reviewed the program and in particular focused on what makes an employer likely to hire BTI graduates — and what they get when they do. We were also excited to be joined by BTI alumni Candice King, Laboratory Technician for Cognate BioServices, Inc. and Jamond Turner, Food Technology Specialist for the Pepsico Innovation Lab at McCormick. Both attended virtually and described the incredible impact BTI’s training had on each of them and their families. 

Sen. Hayes was impressed with the incredible success of our graduates. He was particularly interested to hear that since 1998, 39 percent of those entering our program and 33 percent of our graduates came from his own district, Baltimore State Senate District 40. 

The visit also helped cement ties between BTI and the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, where Sen. Hayes is chief of staff.

Sen. Hayes is a member of the Maryland Senate Finance Committee, where he is a strong supporter of legislation that benefits workforce development initiatives. 

If you know an elected official who might be interested in touring BTI, get in touch!