The past several weeks have been a busy and rewarding time for the Shay Legacy Foundation as we continued our mission of promoting highway safety, workforce development, and education throughout New York State.
In early June, our team partnered with the New York Association of Towns at its Annual Highway School, where municipal leaders, highway departments, and fleet professionals from across the state gathered for three days of safety training and education. Through our driving simulator, participants experienced realistic share-the-road scenarios designed to reinforce safe decision-making and encourage conversations around preventing crashes involving large commercial vehicles and highway workers.
Our workforce outreach also continued throughout the month. We spent time with students at both Ithaca BOCES and Sullivan County BOCES, giving future technicians and operators the opportunity to get behind the wheel of our simulator and experience the trucking industry from a new perspective. These visits help students better understand the technology, responsibility, and rewarding career opportunities available within New York’s transportation industry.
On June 9, we participated in a career fair at the Albany VA Medical Center, supporting veterans as they explore career opportunities after military service. During our visit, we were reminded of Albany’s own Henry Johnson—the legendary Harlem Hellfighter whose extraordinary courage during World War I earned him France’s highest military honor and, decades later, the Medal of Honor from the United States. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the leadership, sacrifice, and resilience demonstrated by so many veterans, making our participation in this event especially meaningful.
Later in the month, the Foundation attended the Heavy Equipment Instructors Summit in North Syracuse, where we met with more than 40 instructors representing diesel technology, heavy equipment, and operator training programs. One of the most valuable outcomes was the opportunity to share feedback from members of the Trucking Association of New York regarding the skills new technicians need when entering today’s workforce.
Those conversations helped encourage curriculum improvements, including expanded access to the same diagnostic software and digital service platforms used by manufacturers like Cummins and Detroit. By helping align classroom instruction with real-world shop experience, we’re working to better prepare students for successful careers from day one.
As June came to a close, our outreach continued at FoodLink in Rochester, where our simulator was used to guide participants through real-world safety scenarios focused on sharing the road and preventing crashes.
Every event, partnership, and conversation reinforces our belief that improving highway safety begins with education. Whether we’re introducing students to career opportunities, helping municipalities strengthen safety practices, or supporting veterans entering a new chapter of their lives, we’re proud to continue investing in safer roads and stronger communities across New York.
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