The Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT) welcomes three new instructors for the 2021-22 school year: Michael Bouthillette (Electrical), Allan Henri (Residential Construction), and Rory Putnam, (Emergency Medical Technician). All three instructors have extensive experience in their fields and will bring that knowledge and passion for their profession to their students.
“We are delighted to welcome Mike, Allan, and Rory to our BRCOT faculty,” said Paulette Bonneau, Director of the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology. “These are three very popular programs and the choosing of new instructors were based on experience in the field and their ability to relate to and motivate students. It was critical that we brought in exemplary instructors that can jump right in and connect with our students this fall.”
Michael Bouthillette will replace William (Bill) Gervais as the Electrical instructor who was tapped by the Biddeford School Department last spring to take over as Facilities Manager for the Biddeford School District. Bouthillette is a former graduate of the BRCOT Electrical program, graduating from Biddeford High School in 1986. After working as an electrician for seven years, he was given the opportunity to go into electrical sales, which he said changed his future.
In this role, Bouthillette earned experience in sales and home automation. “That was a big shift, going to work in a tie instead of jeans was cool,” said Bouthillette. “My sales background pushed me back into the intelligent home integration systems I design today. I currently design lighting plans, home automation systems, and drawings for several businesses, architects, and electricians in the State. Teaching architects and electricians, the future of automated lighting is a passion that I have grown to love.”
Bouthillette found himself back in the classroom when the shortage of electricians entering the field was impacting his own business. “I have coached several different sports and found that I love seeing kids succeed in what we are teaching and I thought it was a good way to give back to my community.”
Allan Henri is the new Residential Construction Instructor. Henri is also a graduate of Biddeford High School and the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology Precision Machining program. He has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from the University of Southern Maine. After working in manufacturing for 10 years, Henri realized he had a passion for building and started his own remodeling business which he ran for 18 years. Two years ago, he decided to give back to his trade and started teaching high school industrial arts. He went on to complete his education certification and has been teaching ever since.
“I have come to realize that building up our youth is more important than building wooden structures,” said Henri. In his spare time, he enjoys getting away and exploring the outdoors with his wife, riding his ATV, and spending time with his grandson. Henri will replace Wayne Hapgood, who is retiring this year after teaching for 27 years.
Rory Putnam will take over as the Emergency Medical Technician program from Sonja Nielsen, who left BRCOT earlier this spring to care for her family. Putnam is a Paramedic and Educator from Windham, Maine with over 30 years in private and public service, municipal and federal government EMS and EMA operations, education, and communications management positions.
Putnam still works in the field part-time and is the owner of Atlantic Life Safety, an EMS, Emergency Management & Safety education/consulting company. He went to school at Cape Cod Community College and Northern Essex Community College for Paramedicine and has taught college-level EMS courses for years in community college and private education settings. He has been published by EMS World Magazine, written peer-reviewed CEU articles, and is a frequent state, regional, and national speaker. In his spare time, Putnam enjoys his 62-years old antique wood motorboat, a 17-foot Lyman Runabout which, he says, needs annual TLC in varnish and paint but gives the reward of a fun boating season bouncing around Casco Bay visiting the islands, and enjoying a great day on the water.
“We wish Bill, Wayne, and Sonja the very best in their next chapters, and hope they will come back to visit our growing school,” said Bonneau. “Their contributions have been many and we wish them the best in their new roles.”
For more information on the many offerings at Biddeford Regional Center of Technology, view their most recent video here: https://youtu.be/yue-IekBhbc.