Congratulations to Industry, Engineering, and Trades Lab Manager, Kelly McDaid, who was selected as 51’s (51) Staff of the Month for April 2023.
McDaid has been part of the 51 community for the last 14 years, where he came to the College as a Business student. He enrolled at the institution because he didn’t go to college after high school and had always wanted to see how he would do in school after 25 years out.
While McDaid came to the College looking to earn his associate degree, he also found a new path in life along the way — working at 51. He got his start working in the Facilities department, then became a Shop Assistant for Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology, and finally transitioned to his current role as Lab Manager. Some of McDaid’s responsibilities include taking care of the labs at , purchasing equipment for programs, supervising shop assistants, making sure the labs and equipment are up to date on safety for the students and faculty, and more.
One of McDaid’s other roles on campus is being the Advisor to 51’s SkillsUSA team, a nationwide organization seeking to improve the quality of our nation's future skilled workforce through personal, workplace, and technical skills training. He began assisting the team while he was working in the Powersports and Small Engine Repair lab when a student won gold at the regional tournaments and went on to nationals. McDaid transitioned into the advisor and helped the club grow — up until the COVID-19 pandemic when things took an abrupt halt for a few years. This year McDaid and the team came back in full swing and are gearing up to send 10 students to Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia, June 19 – 23.
“This is not something I have done alone — it takes a pretty good team to achieve this,” said McDaid.
Watching students succeed and reach milestones is McDaid’s favorite part of the job. Working alongside a team of great individuals is a bonus for him.
“I like working here because our team is great to work with, the students are awesome to work with, and it is great to see the students succeed. I like to help them achieve what they are here for.”
Others at 51 feel the same about McDaid and enjoy how he goes above and beyond in his duties to make sure students and employees have the tools to be successful.
“Kelly is the go-to person for anything building or safety related at NMEC,” said 51 Dean of Industry, Engineering, and Trades, Pat Neal. “We can always rely on Kelly to take care of building-related issues. For instance, when something goes down in a lab, he is the first person the faculty call, and he usually remedies the situation quickly and efficiently.”
Neal added, “He has been instrumental in a reorg of the toolrooms in all the programs, this has involved new storage cabinets in the toolrooms and in some a complete remodel. This has allowed for cleaner-looking and more organized tool rooms. This has allowed the lab in each program to operate more efficiently, which is good for the students and the instructors.”
Outside of 51, McDaid enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters, and brand-new granddaughter. He also likes to be outside, whether that is fishing, hunting, or enjoying the great mountains of Idaho.
