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7/17/2007
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ProTraxx Honored by Lt. Governor for Supporting Initiative to Develop and Retain In-State Technology Workforce
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Middletown, CT — July 17, 2007 — ProTraxx, Inc., a leading provider of professional development management
solutions for K-12 educators, is being honored today by Lt. Governor Michael Fedele for its past contribution
and continuing efforts to support the Connecticut Career Choice (CCC) program, a crucial component of the
state's long-term strategy to develop a competitive technology workforce for the 21st Century. ProTraxx is
currently hosting two local interns, Ryan Helfrich and Prasant Venimadhavan, who are spending their summer
gaining first-hand knowledge and practical experience in the business operations of this successful
technology-focused small business.
The CCC workforce development initiative, implemented by the Office for Workforce Competitiveness (OWC)
in partnership with Battelle Memorial Technology Partnership Practice (Battelle), fosters the education,
training, attraction, and retention of skilled technology workers in Connecticut. As the founder and former
CEO of Pinnacle Group in Stamford (a national technology solutions and services company), Lt. Governor
Fedele has a special interest in actively promoting both the efforts of the CCC and small business growth in Connecticut.
The Lt. Governor, accompanied by Pat Kell, president of ProTraxx, is scheduled to tour the company’s
offices and meet with the two interns. In addition to providing internship opportunities, ProTraxx has
participated in job shadowing and provided classroom speakers to the Academy of Information
Technology & Engineering in partnership with the CCC.
“I congratulate ProTraxx for their participation in the Connecticut Career Choices program,” says Lt.
Governor Michael Fedele. “The opportunities that they are offering their student interns are incredible.
Today’s students really benefit from work experiences like these and they learn exactly what it takes to be
competitive in today’s global market. Not only competitive as a skilled employee but just as importantly
what it takes for a small business to stay competitive. Being able to experience both sides of that issue
is a unique opportunity that I hope more students will take advantage of.”
“Today’s visit by Lt. Governor Fedele is really a tribute to the talent and dedication of
our two interns—Ryan and Prasant—who’ve exceeded our every expectation,” says Pat Kell,
president of ProTraxx. “Their technical skills and ability to quickly grasp and efficiently complete
every task we’ve set before them have made them tremendous assets to our business. This
opportunity has also given us a real appreciation of the young talent that exists in this
community and just how important these individuals are to the continued growth of
Connecticut industry—particularly small- and medium-sized businesses. We look forward
to continue working alongside the CCC to fulfill its mission to invest in the most important
asset a company, or state, can have—its people.”
About the Interns
Ryan Helfrich, 17 of Farmington, will enter his senior year this fall at Farmington High
School where he has earned high honors each semester. He has challenged himself for
the past three years with both honors and Advanced Placement courses, taking three
AP courses in his junior year and earning national merit for high score on the PSAT.
While meeting the demands of his academic schedule, Ryan has been a strong member
of the school swimming and dive teams and will serve as captain in the fall. In addition to
his classes, Ryan is an active volunteer, works summers as a lifeguard, and tutors 4th
grade elementary students in math.
Prasant Venimadhavan, 17 of Norwalk, graduated in June from Brien McMahon High School
as a National Honor Society Member, carrying four Advanced Placement (AP) courses in
his senior year while participating in numerous extracurricular activities, including
performing in the school’s three bands: marching, concert, and jazz as lead alto saxophonist.
During his high school career, his interests were diverse and included the Mathematics Team,
Chess Club, Model United Nations Club, and Future Business Leaders of America. He also
regularly participated in volunteer work in his community. Prasant will attend the University
of Connecticut in the fall and plans to pursue a Masters Degree in Actuarial Sciences.
About ProTraxx, Inc.
ProTraxx, Inc., a Connecticut-based company, was founded in 1999 and is a leading provider
of professional development management solutions and services. The company’s web-based
product suite includes EzCatalog, a solution for managing Adult Education and programs
offered to the general population, and EzTraxx Online, a professional development solution
that streamlines the management, tracking, reporting, and evaluation process. Currently, more
than 70 school districts in Connecticut use ProTraxx solutions to effectively manage their
professional development programs. For additional information, please call 1-866-EZTRAXX or visit www.protraxx.com.
For additional information, contact:
Michele Rubin
Senior Account Manager
BackBone, Inc.
860-887-5589
micheler@backboneinc.com
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