About Us
About the LoveTrades Foundation
Through the generous support of donors nationwide, the LoveTrades Foundation is able to invest millions in the automotive industry’s greatest asset: Its future. Each year, the Foundation recognizes outstanding vocational education students from high schools across the country by awarding them scholarships to WyoTech. By providing students the opportunity to pursue an education in Automotive, Diesel, or Collision & Refinishing, the Foundation empowers students to take control of their futures and transform their passion into a career.
LoveTrades Foundation Board Members
John Hurd
President
jhurd@lovetrades.org
Nick Stafford
Vice President
nstafford@lovetrades.org
Nick works for JX Enterprises and joined the foundation in July of 2023. He earned his Business Administration and Marketing degree (with a Speech Communications Minor) from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. He has been recruiting in the transportation industry since 2015 and enjoys the challenge of recruiting and hiring employees from skilled trades. Nick loves to educate, inform, and inspire the future workforce and he’s excited to help make a difference through his time with this foundation. Born and raised in Central Illinois, Nick is married with four beautiful children (three boys and a girl). When he’s not trying to keep his kids from getting in trouble and hurting themselves, he enjoys traveling the world, coaching his kid’s sports teams, reading, planning events, learning how to make things with his hands, professional and leadership development, and international food!
Jason Cook
Secretary/Treasurer
jcook@lovetrades.org
Jason has worked with Westmor Production since 2008 and currently holds the title of Production Manager. He has over 30 years of Welding experience and has been racing dirt track for over 20 years. When he’s not working or racing, he enjoys Hunting, Fishing and spending quality time with his wife and 2 dogs, Motley & Surley
Patricia Altenburg
Executive Director
paltenburg@lovetrades.org
Ashley Chitwood
Board Member
achitwood@lovetrades.org
Ashley Chitwood has worked in both the public and private education system for over 15 years across the country supporting marketing, operations, enrollment management, admissions, leadership, change management and strategic planning. Ranging from institutions like Northern Arizona University as the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer to online institutions and private businesses, most recently serving as Vice President of Marketing for WyoTech. She has also served as a board member for a grief centered nonprofit focused on bringing in light through loss by means of somatic therapy (yoga), meditation, journaling and spoken word. She is also a facilitator of the work supporting people experiencing acute grief. Ashley brings valuable insights to support the mission of the LoveTrades Foundation with her vast experience in marketing, storytelling and business operations management.
Douglas Min
Board Member
dmin@lovetrades.org
Mitch Platt
Board Member
Mplatt@lovetrades.org
Chris Harrison
Board Member
Charrison@lovetrades.org
Chris Harrison has a distinguished 40-year tenure at CIT Trucks, beginning as a Diesel Tech for 7 years and swiftly ascending through the ranks. With a robust background, he served as Shop Foreman for 2 years, then transitioned into the role of Service Manager for a commendable 14 years. Demonstrating exceptional leadership, Chris assumed the position of Corporate Director of Service for 4 years, followed by a decade-long stint as General Manager. His expertise further extended as Director of Technical Recruiting for 3 years. Notably, he chaired the Kenworth National Service Council for 4 years, presiding over 52 dealers in the Great Lakes Region. Currently, Chris sits on 14 Diesel Advisory Boards across various Diesel Tech Schools, Community College Diesel Tech Programs, and College Diesel Tech Programs, cementing his influence and commitment to the industry.
Ian Houghton
Board Member
ihoughton@lovetrades.org
Ian is deeply committed to cultivating thriving, top-performing teams. Over the past decade, he has worked in the Talent Acquisition sector of North America’s leading commercial vehicle dealership groups, emerging as a prominent advocate for the Heavy Duty industry and inspiring countless individuals to embark on careers within the trades.
Shawn Tague
Board Member
Stague@lovetrades.org
Our History
For students seeking to pursue vocational education, scholarship opportunities are often few and far between—and we decided it was time for a change! In 1999, we founded the LoveTrades Foundation (formerly the WTI Foundation) as a way to support students who wanted to pursue an education in Automotive, Diesel, or Collision & Refinishing at WyoTech.
After 15 years (and more than $2.5 million in scholarships awarded to WyoTech students nationwide), our LoveTrades Foundation board voted to cease development operations when WyoTech was sold to a nonprofit organization with its own, in-house foundation.
In the summer of 2018, WyoTech came under new, local ownership, and with it came a renewed commitment to the LoveTrades Foundation. Soon after, the LoveTrades Foundation and its board were reestablished to actively engage fundraising and awarding scholarships to WyoTech students.
Operating under a renewed sense of purpose and commitment, we look forward to continuing our investment in our industry’s next generation. Join us in our mission!