Mike Grisa

JVS Was Fast Track to Success for Graduate

Mike Grisa, Manufacturing & Engineering Tech., Class of: 2004
Mike Grisa knew he was college-bound before he ever set foot inside the Lorain County JVS.

"My dad is an engineer, so I've always been interested in electricity, taking stuff apart and figuring out how things work, said Grisa, who attended Avon High School and enrolled in the JVS Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program, a college tech-prep program.

"I wasn't keen on the long bus ride, but after seeing the awesome programs the JVS offered, I knew I would have regretted not attending," said Grisa, who graduated in 2004 and continued his education at Lorain County Community College.

Under the tutelage of JVS Engineering Technology Instructor Mike Bailey, Grisa learned many technical skills related to engineering including blueprint reading, AutoCAD, quality assurance, robotics, computer/numerical control, mechanical systems, pneumatics and hydraulics.

"Mr. Bailey is really enthusiastic," Grisa, 25, said. "He always sets aside time to help you, but he won't just give you the answer-he'll always guide you along the way. The lab concepts I learned from Mr. Bailey really helped me focus on electricity, hydraulics and robotics."

Grisa applied his technical skills at state and national competitions. He and classmate Mike Hobart programmed a robotic arm, similar to something used on an auto assembly line to transport parts, in one competition. They finished third at state representing the JVS in competitions their junior year and placed fourth in the national competitions in Kansas City, Missouri their senior year.

Grisa also worked at Watteredge, Inc. in Avon Lake as part of the JVS Summer Internship Program. The company manufactures power connectors, resistance welding cables, robotic components and digital indicators. He kept his job at this company as a computer numerical control operator through graduation from Lorain County Community College in 2007. Grisa earned three Associate degrees from LCCC simultaneously; one degree was in electronics and two were in automation.

"I left the JVS confident and focused, ready to continue my education," said Grisa. His efforts culminated in May 2010 when he graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelors degree in Automation, Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology, made possible through LCCC's University Partnership.

After a short stint working with injection molding machines at Polycase in Avon, Grisa returned to Watteredge, Inc. where he now works in the small cable division. Always eager to expand his knowledge base, he continues to take classes at LCCC to learn more about alternative energy.

"The JVS was my fast-track to success," said Grisa. "They helped me to choose my favorite area of engineering and provided the tools to accomplish my goals."