By Heather Alwine Eracleous

Rocky Lozano

By: Heather Alwine Eracleous

Rocky Lozano embarked on his educational pursuit at Ivy Tech Community College by beginning his apprenticeship training in 2005. After receiving his Phi Theta Kappa honors award and a National Deans List nomination, he obtained his Mechanical and Industrial Technology Certification in 2007 and now owns a highly successful maintenance consultant firm in Great Falls, Montana.

After being in business only a short while, Lozano (owner of Big Sky Mountain Enterprises, located in Great Falls, Montana) looks to expand his thriving maintenance consultation business to Billings and Helena, Mont., in the near future. As a maintenance consultant, he repairs mechanical problems and offers solutions for new equipment. He oversees the installation and provides follow-up to his many clients to ensure their satisfaction.

While Lozano is contemplating attending Montana State University for a mechanical engineering degree, he firmly believes the education he received at Ivy Tech empowered him with the ability to compete equally with colleagues who went to universities and were taught mainly by textbooks. “The hands-on training and the instructors were second to none.” explains Lozano of his Ivy Tech experience.

Lozano has earned an abundance of respect in his field due to his ability to stand alongside any mechanical engineer and clearly understand their vision.

“My electrical motors and controls professor was the absolute smartest and most enthusiastic person I have ever had the honor to know. I use his instructions daily,” declares Lozano of his experience with Mike Surface, then-assistant professor in industrial technology. 

Lozano, his wife of 12 years, and son live in Great Falls, Mont. His son, while only in his teens, takes advanced courses at his prestigious private school and plans on attending University of Southern California or Purdue University. Lozano is convinced that his education at Ivy Tech has had a positive effect on his family.

Originally published in the January 2009 issue of The Courier Student Newsletter.