Toyota’s Dennis Parker and Project Lead the Way’s Cathy Lund kick off the 2012-13 Hot Lunch speaker series sponsored by the Donnell-Kay Foundation.

Parker, based in Kentucky, helped lead Toyota training to be one of only two U.S. business organizations to gain accreditation for its educational programs, through the creation of the Toyota Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) Program

“Toyota created their own high school-early college model because the school system was wasn’t providing them with competent graduates, ready for the workforce,” says DK Executive Director Tony Lewis.

Parker will present with Lund, vice President and senior director of engagement for Project Lead the Way, which helped bring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education to Toyota’s schools.

Hot Lunch is a monthly education forum that brings in speakers from across the country. The event is free but attendees are asked to register in advance. Learn more on the Donnell-Kay Foundation’s website.