At Pima JTED’s Program completion ceremony on May 17, 2019, the speaker, Bill Westcott, Executive Director of Potoff Private Philanthropy announced the $1 million pledge from local philanthropist Ross Potoff.  

Potoff’s life was transformed when he was in his teens and he credits the career and technical education with helping build his confidence and skills. Potoff recently retired from the University of Arizona College where he was a highly accomplished research specialist at the College of Optical Sciences. With this gift Potoff wants to ensure young people have the same opportunities to pursue a successful and rewarding career like the one he enjoyed for 40 years.

The gift could not come at a more perfect time, Pima JTED is building a new 50,000 square foot building to offer programs such as 3D Animation and Game Design, Robotics, Automation, Mechatronics, and Health Care programs including Licensed Nursing Assistant and Registered Medical Assistant.  Pima JTED’s long term plans include adding two additional buildings of the same size to the Innovative Learning Campus.