Career and Technical Education Director Cindy Gutierrez on the State of the State and CTE E22
Robert and J.J. spent some time with Cindy Gutierrez who is the Director of CTE Program Services for the Arizona Department of Education. Cindy shares what it takes to put on a great Career and Technical Education program as well as al of the exciting happenings currently going on within the state.
Learn what the Arizona CTE Program has to offer the students within the state of Arizona.
The Arizona Department of Education — the state agency tasked with overseeing Arizona’s K-12 public education system. The department, led by a publicly elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, comprises more than 600 staff across four state offices working to serve Arizona’s students, families, educators, and school communities.
Career and Technical Education is a division of Arizona Department of Education. CTE’s Vision is to Develop Arizona’s competitive workforce through the power of Career and Technical Education.
Cindy Gutierrez serves as Director of CTE Program Services in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) unit of the Arizona Department of Education, a position she has held for the last six years and has been with the department for over eight years. Cindy serves under the leadership of the Deputy Associate Superintendent and state CTE Director, Cathie Raymond and Superintendent of Public Instruction, The Honorable, Kathy Hoffman.
In this position, Cindy leads a team of eight program specialists who oversee the high school CTE programs across the state, which include Construction Science Technologies, Engineering, Manufacturing and Information Technologies, Agriculture and Welding, Transportation Technologies, Public Service Careers, Health Science Technologies, Family and Consumer Sciences, Education Professions, and Business, Marketing and Communication Technologies programs. Prior to becoming a director, Cindy served as the CTE Construction Science and Transportation Technologies Program Specialist for the Arizona Department of Education.
Cindy began her career in education in the Peoria Unified School District as a high school Industrial Technology Instructor teaching Drafting, Cabinetmaking, and her passion, Construction Technologies. Cindy also organized and taught CTE Internship courses related to each CTE program on the campus, connecting seniors in high school to Business and Industry partners to gain real world experience before graduation. Cindy holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from the University of Arizona and a Master of Education in Career and Technical Education from Northern Arizona University.
A native of the West valley – Peoria, Cindy has seen the overwhelming growth of the valley and can credit her own father for many of the homes built since the early 1970’s.
In November 2021, Cindy was honored to receive the Visionary Leadership Award in recognition of her support and partnership with the Arizona Construction Career Days.
About Your Hosts
Meet JJ Levenske
JJ Levenske is a seasoned construction executive with over 30 years of experience in the commercial and industrial sectors. From pre-construction services to complex quality controls and close-outs, he brings a commitment to delivering the highest levels of professionalism and customer service.
JJ’s dedication to construction has allowed him to become an industry expert which he aims to share with customers and investors alike. JJ does not believe in mediocrity and strives to see the “end at the beginning” for each project, effectuating a higher return on investment for the entire team.
Early on in his career, JJ worked as a cost engineer conducting feasibility estimates, strategic capital estimates, cost planning, and analysis of value engineering for the technology, petrochemical, and food industries. He went on to develop and implement a variety of systems for estimating, scheduling, resource management, and cost tracking while holding Project Manager and Senior Management Positions.
During his tenure, JJ has been involved in $1 billion worth of construction services. A strong entrepreneurial acumen allows him to be the perfect advocate for your facility based business solutions.
Meet Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson is a knowledgeable construction professional with over 40 years of experience. His experience ranges from residential to the commercial and industrial sectors.
Robert began working in the trades immediately out of high school and quickly advanced to Journeyman status. Robert went on to estimating, operations, senior level management and then business development.
Robert is consistently building relationships and networking with those associated with all aspects of development and construction. Robert has become a respected source for prefabricated construction solutions.
Robert enjoys spending time with Pam, his wife of 42 years, their 3 children, and 10 grandchildren.
About Our Sponsors
Bleuwave is a Phoenix-based general contractor with a specialty in land development & site improvement, pre-construction, design build, remodel and renovations, construction management, and post construction.
Bleuwave is passionate about what they do and takes pride in their partner’s success.
When you need it done right the first time, call Bleuwave.
Follow Bleuwave on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Tori Contracting’s smaller, cohesive structure results in superior workmanship and economical solutions.
The Tori Contracting team has construction experience acquired by performing highly successful work for hotels and casinos, restaurants, retail stores, healthcare facilities and a wide range of commercial and themed projects.
We provide design assist capabilities from start to finish…from schematic design and development through construction documents with the aid of our full-time AUTOCAD staff.
