Universal Technical Institute-Houston Name Five “Instructors of the Year”

HOUSTON, TX -- Universal Technical Institute-Houston and MIAT College of Technology-Houston, leading workforce solutions providers of transportation, skilled trades and energy education programs, celebrated National Teacher Appreciation Month in May by honoring five employees with their “Instructor of the Year” award for 2023.

The UTI-Houston campus Instructors of the Year are Joe Bresnan, Ford Accelerated Credential Training (FACT) program instructor; Randy McGinty, Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology (CRRT) program instructor; and Ignacio Pinalez, Welding program instructor. Reggie Davis, Heating Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) program coordinator and instructor at MIAT, won the MIAT-Houston Instructor of the Year for the Skilled Trades Programs. The MIAT-Houston Instructor of the Year for Aviation is Michael Riccardelli, Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) program instructor. Riccardelli also received the coveted Instructor’s Choice Award based on nominations and votes by other UTI and MIAT instructors.

All 16 UTI and MIAT campuses nationwide announced the “Instructor of the Year” winner(s) at their respective campus in early May. UTI industry partner Snap-On also helped to recognize them by sponsoring a feature wall at each campus that includes a photo of the “Instructor of the Year.”

Consideration for “Instructor of the Year” includes results of the Education Satisfaction Index and Course Completion Rates. The instructor’s overall contribution to the campus, through peer mentoring and departmental support, is also considered in the selection process.

“The entire UTI/MIAT campus community in Houston congratulates these instructors for their selection as a 2023 ‘Instructor of the Year,’” said Darrin Brust, campus president at UTI/MIAT-Houston. “Not only do they exemplify the standards that we want our students to take to the workplace after graduation, but they are also well respected by their peers and our students. Their leadership and positive influence are evident in everything they do. We were thrilled to honor them in May during National Teacher Appreciation Month – as well as today and every day.”

Joe Bresnan has taught Ford Accelerated Credential Training (FACT) program courses at UTI-Houston since joining UTI in 1995. As a graduate of UTI himself, Bresnan is especially honored to have been chosen for this recognition. He explained that he has considerable passion and enthusiasm for teaching UTI’s curriculum and providing a great learning environment for students preparing for career opportunities after graduation. Before teaching at UTI, Bresnan owned his own business.

Reggie Davis joined MIAT in 2020 and earned an HVACR Maintenance Technology certification from MIAT in 2017. He began working in the HVACR field in 2017. Before joining MIAT, Davis previously worked full-time for Uni-Serve Air Conditioning and Heating, Morrow Mechanical and One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning.

“It is truly an honor to have been selected as Instructor of the Year. I am blessed to be able to come to work every day to help develop the next generation of HVACR technicians,” Davis commented.

Randy McGinty, known as “Mr. Mac” to his students, has taught the CRRT curriculum since joining UTI in October 2002. McGinty commented: “The Instructor of the Year recognition tells me that my efforts have not gone unnoticed. I greatly appreciate the training that UTI has afforded me and the ability to grow personally and professionally. It has been an honor to see our students transform into confident, qualified professionals who will serve as excellent representatives for our school and our industry as a whole.”

Before joining UTI, McGinty worked at Conrail, Gianni Porsche Audi dealership, Earl Scheib Paint and Body, Inskeep Ford dealership, Aid Ambulance, and also owned McGinty’s Auto Body Shop, Inc. He received an Associate degree from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, Ind. McGinty is a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Ignacio Pinalez joined MIAT in early 2021 and then transitioned to UTI in August 2021 to teach all of the schools’ Welding program courses in Houston. Pinalez thanks UTI Education Manager Jimmy Jenkins and his colleagues, who have been great mentors. He commented that receiving this award is validation that he is doing his part to provide UTI students with the knowledge needed to be work ready. Prior to teaching at UTI and MIAT, Pinalez was a welding instructor at South Texas College and Pasadena Memorial High School. He graduated from South Texas College with an associate degree in Welding Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership .

Michael Riccardelli began teaching in 2011. He enrolled as a student at MIAT’s Houston campus in October 2020 and graduated from MIAT with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology in March 2021. In April 2021, Riccardelli was hired as an A&P program instructor at MIAT. Riccardelli said that he never thought he would be a teacher.

“It’s powerful to help students graduate and start their careers in aviation. Sitting at the awards ceremony with my colleagues I would classify as major superstars, I was humbled to hear my name called 'Instructor of the Year,’” said Riccardelli. “I was even more shocked when my peers voted for me to receive the Instructor’s Choice Award, representing a pinnacle moment in my career.”

Prior to joining MIAT, Riccardelli worked at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Air Evac Lifeteam, and Southwest Helicopters, Inc. He received an A&P License in Aviation Maintenance from the International Aviation and Travel Academy and certifications from Bell Helicopter Textron and the Department of Homeland Security. Riccardelli also coaches the award-winning MIAT Mustangs – the school’s Aviation Maintenance program students who participate each year in aerospace maintenance competitions against other schools.

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