Dr. Lisa Greenawalt, left, and JOC Board Chairperson Carol Facchiano stand with Bison Award recipients Bradley Brandmeir and Renee Tigar.

SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa. — Lehigh Career & Technical Institute marked the first week of school by celebrating two stellar staff members whose hard work enriches students’ lives.

Executive Director Lisa Greenawalt honored Welding Technology teacher Bradley Brandmeir and Director of Food & Nutrition Renee Tigar with The Bison Award on Wednesday night [Aug. 27, 2025] during LCTI’s monthly Joint Operating Committee meeting. Named for the school’s one-time mascot, the prestigious award is presented periodically to students, staff, alumni or supporters whose actions burnish LCTI’s legacy in the Lehigh Valley.

Renee Tigar

Tigar, an Emmas resident, joined LCTI’s team in March 2024 and immediately made changes that invigorated cafeteria staff and improved customer service. As a result, LCTI’s cafeterias have become welcoming spaces where students feel valued and cared for, Greenawalt said. “It happened like magic. And it was because of Renee’s leadership.”

“Through grace, professionalism and a warm personality, Renee has created a culture of laughter, a culture of respect and a culture of outstanding customer service,” Greenawalt said. “Her commitment to students and staff alike has set a new standard of excellence, and we are deeply grateful for the positive spirit she brings to our school community.”

Tigar was joined at the meeting by her family, as well as a representative from The Nutrition Group, the food service contractor by whom she is employed. She said support from staff and appreciation from students smoothed the way for her success.

“The Nutrition Group has helped me get ready for this and welcoming hands from everybody, support from everybody, and the staff I have in my kitchen just make it easy to come to work every day,” Tigar said.

Bradley Brandmeir

Brandmeir, who joined LCTI’s team 14 years ago, teaches welding to high school students by day and adult students by night. Greenawalt joked that the Germansville resident works 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “He doesn’t sleep, he doesn’t rest. He is always doing something, and it’s always a positive something,” she said.

Greenawalt described Brandmeir as a dedicated instructor who sets high standards for himself and his students. “He always celebrates student success, and he always connects learning to real-world opportunities for both our high school students and our adult students,” she said.

Brandmeir arrived at the meeting fresh from a plasma-cutting gig and said he continues to work as a welder, in part, because it helps him maintain industry contacts that benefit his students. 

“The extra work lets me bring real-world applications into the students… which helps me accelerate their learning,” Brandmeir said. “I have my mother’s drive in me. She instilled it. Work always finds me. I don’t have to find it.”

He also serves as a director on the American Welding Society board, another boon to his students.

“The American Welding Society is well known and well respected in the welding industry. It is the keystone of the welding community for standards worldwide,” Greenwalt said. “As a member of that board, he strengthens our industry partnerships — which are already strong — but now he brings a national network into the program, as well.”

Congratulations, Ms. Tigar and Mr. Brandmeir! This is how we lead. This is how we achieve.

About The Bison Award

Bison don’t begin as behemoths.

At birth, they’re only 30 to 70 pounds. Time — combined with mother’s milk and the herd’s protection — transforms bison into North America’s largest mammal. They tip the scales at 2,000 pounds, run 40 mph and jump 6 feet high.

It’s fitting that a bison was Lehigh Career & Technical Institute’s mascot in the school’s early days. Nourished by the vision of educators like Robert Nagle and supported by Lehigh County’s business community, LCTI has become a behemoth in its own right.

As Pennsylvania’s largest career and technical school, we offer 40-plus programs for both high school and adult students, race forward to meet our industry partners’ needs and strive to exceed the highest academic standards.

With all this in mind, The Bison Award is presented periodically to LCTI students, staff, alumni or supporters whose actions demonstrate the school’s tremendous reach, dedication to technical advancement and constant climb toward new educational summits.