About us

Through the generous support of donors nationwide, the LoveTrades Foundation is able to invest millions in the automotive industry’s greatest asset: Its future. Each year, the Foundation recognizes outstanding vocational education students from high schools across the country by awarding them scholarships to Laramie Community College (LCCC), University of Wyoming CTE, or WyoTech. By providing students the opportunity to pursue an education in the trades, the Foundation empowers students to take control of their futures and transform their passion into a career.

About the
LOVETRADES FOUNDATION

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Our Team

Pat Altenburg

Executive Director


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LoveTrades Foundation Board Members

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John Hurd

President

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Chris Harrison

Vice President

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Cindy Barlow

Board Member

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Jason Cook

Vice President

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Darren Erikson

Board Member

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Mitch Platt

Board Member

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David Kling

Board Member

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Douglas Min

Board Member

Our History

For students seeking to pursue vocational education, scholarship opportunities are often few and far between—and we decided it was time for a change! In 1999, we founded the LoveTrades Foundation (formerly the WTI Foundation) as a way to support students who wanted to pursue an education in Automotive, Diesel, Collision & Refinishing, or Welding at WyoTech. 


After 15 years (and more than $2.5 million in scholarships awarded to WyoTech students nationwide), our LoveTrades Foundation board voted to cease development operations when WyoTech was sold to a nonprofit organization with its own, in-house foundation. 


In the summer of 2018, WyoTech came under new, local ownership, and with it came a renewed commitment to the LoveTrades Foundation. Soon after, the LoveTrades Foundation and its board were reestablished to actively engage fundraising and awarding scholarships to WyoTech students.


Operating under a renewed sense of purpose and commitment, we look forward to continuing our investment in our industry’s next generation. Join us in our mission!