MANUFACTURING TECH SENIOR GETS REAL WORK EXPERIENCE
AT THUNDER PERFORMANCE

Senior Virginia Schneider is aiming for success.  This energetic and winsome Emmett O'Brien student from Ansonia, CT is part of the Work Based Learning Program (WBL) and has been working at Thunder Performance a Machine Shop Service located at 655 Plains Road, Unit #20, Milford, Connecticut. Virginia can be found at a "seat and guide machine" where she works to install valve seats.

Virginia likes manufacturing and also enjoys the industry's business end.  At Thunder Performance Virginia has been learning about invoices, accounting, and billing.  Owner and mentor Robert Vitaletti is pleased with the company's amicable protoge.  "Virginia is doing well. She is on time every day and usually arrivies before me. I allow Virginia to see every aspect of running this business, and encourage her to take part in it."

  Mr. Vitaletti is pleased with Virginia's response to WBL and feels that, "Female employees are more detail oriented, and they ask many questions to be sure things are done correctly." 

Thunder Performance LLC is a machine shop which offers the latest, state-of-the art machinery.  Their web page explains, "The company provides efficient service in a small business enviornment that takes pride and care in the quality of their workmanship. Thunder Performance specializes in cylinder heads from stock to full-out racing.  They build full engines, transmissions, rear-ends, and whatever "odd jobs" our machines are capable of doing."

In addtion to being an owner, Mr. Vitaletti has 19 years of experience as a mechanic.  He worked for a GM dealer for 8 years and as a machinist for Popp Engineering in Milford, Connecticut.  He is also ASE master certified as an auto technician and machinist.

As Director of the WBL Program Suzanne Ucci is pleased that the partnership between EOB and Thunder Performance is continually developing, and Mrs. Ucci applauds Virginia Schneider's "thundering performance."