FFCSD kicking off Alumni Series – Class of 2017 Alumnus Alec Mahon

 The Fonda-Fultonville CSD recently announced that it would introduce its Alumni Series for the 2021-22 school year. The series will offer in-depth Q&A, storytelling and article features, while keeping you up-to-date on past students, faculty and staff. The district will work to deliver interviews and stories to highlight professional and personal successes to special achievements and leadership recognition.

At FFCSD, we’re not just proud of our current students but our alumni as well. If you know of a former student(s) who are accomplishing great things academically, professionally or is making an impact in the community – – we want to know! Please submit or nominate an alum or share your ideas and suggestions to the Communications Office at communications@ffcsd.org.

Class of 2017 graduate Alec Mahon and his family after his graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
Class of 2017 graduate Alec Mahon and his family after his graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Today, we recognize FFCSD alumnus Alec Mahon (Class of 2017). Mr. Mahon is currently employed as an electrical engineer with Greene, N.Y. -based Raymond Corporation. He’s a 2021 graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) with a degree in Electrical Engineering.

According to its website, the Raymond Corporation manufactures electric material-handling equipment, including forklifts, pallet trucks, stackers, counterbalanced trucks, reach trucks, order pickers, turret trucks and sideloaders. Mr. Mahon is responsible for the implementation and oversight of autonomous and semi-autonomous forklifts for use in manufacturing. Think of vehicles that require minimum human intervention or robotics.

What class at FFCSD enabled you to get involved in electrical engineering?

The math and science classes at FFCSD greatly helped prepare me for similar classes at RPI, which enabled my involvement in Electrical Engineering. Specifically, the Project Lead the Way classes along with Calculus and Physics gave me a  background which acted as a strong foundation to navigate the engineering courses at college.

How did you implement those skill sets at RPI?

Although the courses at RPI were different from those at FFCSD, the work ethic and problem- solving skills remained the same. Throughout my time at FFCSD teachers always encouraged a strong work ethic and encouraged students to achieve their best. This mentality greatly helped me through RPI and into the workforce. There is no substitute for hard work. This is something I learned at FFCSD and continue to live by every day.

How are you applying your degree for the next generation of manufacturing?

Class of 2017 graduate Alec Mahon performing duties at his current company Raymond Corporation.
Class of 2017 graduate Alec Mahon performing duties at his current company Raymond Corporation.

The next generation of manufacturing involves increasing overall efficiency and productivity for a given industry. With an Electrical Engineering degree, working in the Advanced Systems Integration group at Raymond, I am able to automate tasks that are inefficient or dangerous to workers. By keeping employees safe and maximizing efficiency we are able to create a safer, more productive work environment. This allows people to focus on higher level issues rather than small tasks, which ultimately drives the industry forward.

What recommendations do you have for today’s students as they seek to move into tomorrow’s workforce?

Tomorrow’s workforce is full of opportunity for individuals of all skill and education levels. Technology is developing and expanding at an unforeseen rate. In four years, you may be applying for jobs that don’t currently exist. No matter what career you are pursuing, hard work is the ultimate key to success. Do not let other people dictate what you can and cannot achieve. If there is something you want badly enough, the only thing stopping you from getting it are the limitations you put on yourself.