GOLDSBORO, N.C., April 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayne County-based Jackson & Sons Heating and Air Conditioning has been named the business recipient of the prestigious 2011 Distinguished Partners In Excellence Award.  Jackson & Sons joins co-recipient Wayne Community College in accepting an award given to only one business and one of the partnering 58 state community colleges annually. Given by the State Board of Community Colleges, the award recognizes an outstanding company or industry group for partnering with their local community college to improve workforce development and grow the local economy. In addition, groups are recognized for internally continuing the education of their own employees to render them more effective in the field.  Leaders from Wayne Community College joined Jackson & Sons owners, David and Danny Jackson, for an award reception at the Governor's Mansion in Raleigh, NC on Thursday, April 14th.

To gain consideration for the award Jackson & Sons was nominated by Wayne Community College for their unwavering dedication to students studying in the HVAC/Refrigeration field as well as other disciplines. Selection criteria for the Partners In Excellence Award demarcates that a nominee exemplify an active interest in the success of the college and its students in multiple facets--including encouraging and engaging students through educational classroom discussions, career fair partnerships, and financial support of their endeavors. Since its founding by Judy and Woodard Jackson in 1974, Jackson & Sons has been a strong partner of the college, providing highly trained staff members to assist in the education of HVAC/R students and providing scholarship monies that are given to several outstanding students annually.   Additionally, during each semester, professionals from Jackson & Sons offer first-hand experience to HVAC/R students—allowing them to tour their company facility and warehouse to experience real world applications of the knowledge they gain in the classroom.

As the business award recipient, Jackson & Sons Heating and Air Conditioning joins a small, but invaluable group of previous winners throughout the state that includes companies like WakeMed, Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Corp., and Volvo Construction Equipment. "This is one of the greatest honors that our company has ever received," stated Jackson & Sons CFO, David Jackson.  "Investing in the potential of the highly skilled, highly talented workforce we have right here at home has always been a priority for Jackson & Sons.  We know without a doubt that the success of our business has been due in part to the professional, trained individuals we have in our company that have been educated locally in our community college.   To Jackson & Sons, giving of our time and our finances to help students here at home is more than just a gift-- it is the best investment we can make, and one we will continue to make."

"Wayne Community College could not be more pleased to be accepting the 2011 N.C. Community Colleges' Distinguished Partners In Excellence with Jackson & Sons Heating and Air Conditioning," stated Dr. Kay H. Albertson, President of Wayne Community College. "The range of ways in which this company and the college cooperate and mutually benefit absolutely should be held up as an example for others. And Jackson & Sons' philanthropy doesn't stop with us; this business is truly a good corporate citizen in Wayne and the surrounding counties."

Jackson & Sons Heating and Air Conditioning is a family owned company founded in Dudley, NC in 1974.  Named one of the top 5,000 fastest growing companies in the nation by Inc. Magazine in 2007, Jackson & Sons is proud to support their local economy and be a workforce development partner in Wayne and the surrounding counties. They are the premier, comprehensive HVAC provider in the Wayne and Johnston County areas, offering unmatched service and high-quality heating and cooling systems by some of the best names in the industry. Jackson & Sons doesn't just install systems you can depend on; they are a system you can depend on.  For service or a no-obligation, in-home estimate visit www.JacksonandSons.com or call (919) 734-9611.

SOURCE Jackson & Sons Heating and Air Conditioning