State Tech Welcomes Cole Schaefer

Published on October 24, 2018

Cole Schaefer, broadband communications professional and Missouri native, has joined State Technical College of Missouri as Department Chair for the new Utility Systems Technician program.

Prior to working at State Tech, Cole served as a Communications Technician for 12 years and Central Office Technician for two years at CenturyLink in Jefferson City, MO.  He earned his AAS in Telecommunications Engineering Technology from State Tech.

Mr. Schaefer will continue developing the new Utility Systems Technician program that prepares students with the skills required for careers with a variety of utility contractors and public utilities.  Students learn underground and overhead construction skills and how to install and maintain various utility systems. Those systems include fiber optic and copper communication, natural gas distribution, water, wastewater, and oil pipeline transmission.

Vice President Heath Sellenriek of Sellenriek Construction, Inc. says this program is in need to help continue their growth.

“State Tech is a top notch school that values educating and training students to Industry standards.  I’m excited to be joining State Tech and being a part of the Utility Systems Technician program.  I believe the Utility Systems Technician Program will provide the Industry with competent employees who can hit the ground running,” said Schaefer.