LEESBURG, Va. — SkillsUSA announced that Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A. Inc., will receive the 2011 SkillsUSA Champion of the Year award during a ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City on Nov. 4, 2011.

The award is handed out to a corporate chief executive every year for for doing exemplary work in the creation and promotion of America’s workforce, according to SkillsUSA. It also recognizes the honoree for the corporation’s involvement in promoting and supporting career and technical education.

“I am honored to receive the Champion of the Year award and accept it on behalf of Toyota,” Lentz said. “SkillsUSA is a leader in career and technical education, and we're proud to support their efforts in preparing and training America's workforce.”

TMS has partnered with nonprofit education association since 1988 and has provided support for the SkillsUSA Championships Automotive Service Technology and Collision Repair Technology contests at state and national levels. Toyota also has hired SkillsUSA graduates both at its dealerships and in its corporate offices. 

“Jim and Toyota’s support for career and technical education through SkillsUSA, the Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and Automotive Youth Education System (AYES) all help to ensure our nation will continue to be productive and successful,” said Tim Lawrence, executive director of SkillsUSA.