ATSG’s Executive Vice President, Gerry Markowitz taught a one day class that explained the use of Information Technology (IT) in the distribution and warehouse process to the senior IT class of the National Academy Foundation (NAF) Baltimore High School. Gerry provided the NAF IT students a classroom overview of Terminal’s IT infrastructure and the flow of data between The Terminal Corporation (a leading provider of warehouse and transportation services in Maryland) and its manufacturing customers. Then, the students traveled by bus to Terminal’s facilities located in Jessup, Maryland where Rick Smith, ATSG’s Project Manager for Terminal’s Warehouse Management System, gave the students a tour of the facility. Students saw a live demonstration of the use of RF scanning guns and the wireless network used to record and update critical information in Terminal’s computer systems. The tour included a walk through of various processes such as capturing the receipt of incoming products and updating inventory, as well as how products are stored in the warehouse and the recording of warehouse location, picking, shipping, and distribution of customer orders. This experience provided NAF students a window into the real world of information technology as applied in the warehousing and distribution industry.

Gerry Markowitz said, "ATSG is pleased to support The National Academy Foundation in its efforts to meet the development needs of our region’s youth". We look for ways to help NAF students gain experience and insight into the field of IT. Last summer ATSG hired a NAF student to work with our network technicians. Gerry serves as a member of the NAF Baltimore Information Technology Advisory Board.

The mission of the National Academy Foundation (NAF) is to sustain a national network of career academies to support the development of America's youth toward personal and professional success in high school, in higher education, and throughout their careers. The National Academy Foundation Baltimore High School, located on the Federal Hill campus of the Digital Harbor High School, prepares more than 300 students each year for careers in hospitality and tourism, finance, and information technology through work-based learning curriculum and experiences, and partnerships with local business and industry professionals. The unique curriculum emphasizes both academic excellence and career training with traditional classroom instruction, internships, and job shadowing.

NAF Baltimore High School students have had inspiring successes in the past year. Every day, student attendance at NAF Baltimore High School is 95%. In 2008, every NAF Baltimore High School graduate was accepted to at least one college. Over 89% of 9th graders entering NAF Baltimore High School graduate from NAF four years later. NAF Baltimore High School continues to make Adequate Yearly Progress as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act.

Click here to see photos and video from the trip.

ATSG provides Information Technology consulting and technical services in four strategic centers: Planning and Project Management, Computer Network Services, Hosted Solutions, and Application Development. Visit www.atsgi.com for more information.

The Terminal Corporation is a warehouse, trucking and distribution company that handles products in the Washington / Baltimore / Mid-Atlantic regions.For more information about The Terminal Corporation, see www.termcorp.com