By guest contributor, Pitsco Education CEO, Matt Frankenbery
This week, I had the privilege of attending the Opening Session of the SkillsUSA® National Leadership & Skills Conference, held at the iconic State Farm Arena – home of the Atlanta Hawks. The energy in the arena was electric, with more than 18,000 students and advisers gathered to kick off this incredible event, where Pitsco employee volunteers will lead the Robotics: Urban Search & Rescue Challenge and the Commercial sUAS (Drone) Competition events.
The session was led by the National Leadership Team, a dynamic group of high school and postsecondary students who embody the spirit and mission of SkillsUSA. Among them was Pamela Williams, a postsecondary student from Louisiana, who holds a special place in my heart.
Earlier this year, SkillsUSA launched a new mentoring initiative, and I was honored to be invited to participate. That’s how I met Pam. During the spring, we connected virtually each month, discussing her goals, challenges, and aspirations. From our very first conversation, Pam shared that one of her biggest areas for growth was gaining confidence in public speaking.
Fast forward to this week, and there she was – standing center stage in front of 18,000 people, delivering her message with poise, clarity, and passion. Watching her speak so confidently was a moment I won’t soon forget. I couldn’t help but sit there with a huge grin on my face – it truly felt like a proud dad moment.
Pam’s journey is a powerful reminder of what mentorship, hard work, and courage can achieve. It also reflects the heart of what SkillsUSA is all about: empowering students to grow into confident, capable leaders.
We’re proud to support SkillsUSA and the next generation of skilled professionals. And we’re especially proud of Pam – thank you for inspiring us all.
#SkillsUSA
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Matt brings over 20 years of leadership experience in education and curriculum development. As CEO of Pitsco Education, he champions a high-performance culture, driving organizational growth and leading strategic initiatives that support global STEM, Career Technical Education (CTE), and science ecosystems in schools and districts.
Previously, Matt served as Vice President and Director of Education at Pitsco, where he led product development and shaped key portfolios in computer science, robotics, and core science. His earlier roles—Director of Educational Affairs and Senior Curriculum Specialist—focused on innovative curriculum design, strategic partnerships, and educational policy.
Matt began his career as a middle school teacher, where his dedication to hands-on learning, community engagement, and leadership left a lasting impact on students and educators alike.