Eastern's Open House to Feature Nissan LEAF

On March 4, 2012, (EASTERN) will to the community to showcase all 14 programs of study for high school juniors and seniors in Eastern Montgomery County from 1 – 3:30 p.m.

For automotive enthusiasts and energy savers, Matthew Conard, EASTERN Automotive Technology graduate and Lead Technician/Shop Foreman at Conicelli Honda in Conshohocken for the past 22 years, will have an electric Nissan LEAF and a Honda Hybrid on display, courtesy of Conicelli Honda and Nissan.

Frank Boyle, Conicelli Honda Service Manager and avid supporter of career and technical education, lined up the cars for Conard’s use.

Throughout the Open House, Conard and Joseph Tavani, Director for Honda
Programs at Penn College of Technology, will be collaborating on a presentation in Honda green technology.

The Nissan LEAF is a five-door hatchback electric car introduced in Japan and the United States in December 2010. The LEAF’s fuel economy is proven by the 99 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent. The 100-percent electric Nissan LEAF has earned a five star overall vehicle rating for safety as part of the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration's New Car Assessment Program and is the first fully electric vehicle to earn this highest distinction from the program.

The vehicle is listed for $37,000 with $8,000 in federal rebates.

According to Conicelli Nissan’s Service Manager, Jack Depri, The Nissan LEAF is only available in major metropolitan areas. Conicelli Nissan received the vehicles three weeks ago, and have already sold three.

Honda Hybrid vehicles run on gas and have an electric motor assist. According to Conard, the first Honda Hybrid that Conicelli sold was the Insite in 2000. As the makes and models of the hybrids evolved throughout the years, sales have steadily increased.

In addition to Conard, Conicelli Honda currently employs three EASTERN Automotive Technology graduates:

• Matt Conard Jr. (Conard’s son), a 2008 , is currently a line technician;

• Jonathan Hafft, a 2009 Cheltenham High School graduate, is currently a trainee;

• Paul Fink, a 2011 Abington High School graduate, is currently in Conicelli Honda’s lube express department.

Conard Jr., and Hafft both attended Penn College of Technology for their Associate Degrees; and Fink is currently enrolled at Universal Technical Institute.

As an EASTERN alum, Conard is a strong believer in the benefits of career and technical education. He has been a member of EASTERN’s Automotive Technology Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC) for the past six years. All of EASTERN’s programs have OAC’s that meet throughout the year to assist EASTERN Administration and faculty to determine what is needed to enhance curriculum and to ensure that each program meets industry standards.

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EASTERN is a public school serving students in Eastern Montgomery County school districts. Students benefit from specialized career programs that give them a competitive edge in college or in a career. The campus is at 3075 Terwood Road in Willow Grove. For more information, contact Amy Shields, Organizational Advancement Director at 215-784-4806, or visit the school’s website at www.eastech.org. Become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/EasternCenter.