Danville Community College (DCC) proudly joined Rogers Heating and Air on Thursday, August 21, 2025, for an official apprenticeship worksite signing at the company’s headquarters in South Boston, Virginia. The signing formalized a partnership that will provide hands-on, career-ready training opportunities for DCC students pursuing a future in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
Seated from Left to Right: Joey Rogers, Owner, Rogers Heating & Cooling; Dr. Cornelius Johnson, President, Danville Community College; Alyssa Rogers, Owner, Rogers Heating & Cooling. Standing from Left to Right: Elliot Baynes, Assistant Professor of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; Jerrod Motley, DCC HVAC Student; David Adams, Instructor of Air Conditioning & Refrigeration; Jessica Dalton, Vice President of Workforce Services for Danville Community College; Melissa Mann, Dean of Career & Technical Education for Danville Community College; Knighty the Mighty, DCC Mascot; Barry Richmond, Apprenticeships Coordinator; Michael Beckner, Industrial Maintenance Instructor; Cord Cothren, Workforce Success Coach; Katie Lineberry, Administrative Assistant for Workforce Services; and Dominique Fountain-Short, Administrative Assistant to the VP of Workforce Services.
Alyssa and Joey Rogers of Rogers Heating and Air signed the agreement alongside DCC President Dr. Cornelius Johnson, Vice President of Workforce Services Jessica Dalton, and Dean of Career and Technical Education Melissa Mann. DCC HVAC faculty members Elliot Baynes and David Adams were also in attendance, highlighting the strong collaboration between industry and education.
Adding a touch of school spirit, DCC’s mascot, Knighty the Mighty, made a special appearance to celebrate the milestone and cheer on the partnership.
“This signing marks another important step in DCC’s mission to connect students directly with workforce opportunities,” said Dr. Cornelius Johnson, President of DCC.
“By working alongside industry leaders like Rogers Heating and Air, we ensure our students have the skills, experience, and confidence they need to succeed in their chosen fields.”
Jessica Dalton, Vice President of Workforce Services, emphasized the significance of apprenticeship programs:
“Apprenticeships bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. Partnerships like this give our students the chance to earn while they learn, while also building a highly skilled talent pipeline for local employers.”
Melissa Mann, Dean of Career and Technical Education, added:
“We are thrilled to expand opportunities for our HVAC students through Rogers Heating and Air. This collaboration not only benefits our students but also strengthens the workforce in southern Virginia.”
“At Rogers Heating & Cooling, we believe the future of our industry depends on investing in people,” said Joey Rogers, President of Rogers Heating & Cooling. “Partnering with Danville Community College to launch this Registered Apprenticeship program allows us to provide students with real-world, hands-on experience while building a pipeline of highly skilled HVAC professionals right here in Southern Virginia. We’re proud to help create opportunities that not only strengthen our workforce but also uplift our entire community.”
“This apprenticeship launch is more than a partnership, it’s a dream realized,” said Alyssa Rogers, Vice President of Rogers Heating & Cooling. “I’m inspired by the opportunities this program will open for students who want to build meaningful, lifelong careers in the trades. Together with DCC, we’re not just shaping technicians, we’re shaping futures, and I couldn’t be more excited to see the impact this will have on our region for generations to come.”
The event underscored DCC’s ongoing commitment to workforce development through its Apprenticeship Program, which partners with local businesses to provide students with both academic instruction and paid, on-the-job training.
For more information about apprenticeship opportunities through Danville Community College, visit www.danville.edu or contact Barry Richmond, Apprenticeships Coordinator, at barry.richmond@danville.edu.
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