OCTEC makes custom fire pits for WNY Energy

Posted 29 April 2025 at 10:48 am

Provided photo: Timothy Winters (President and CEO of WNY Energy) is shown with students Carson Schwab (Barker) and Tyler Rothwell (Royalton-Hartland).

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – The Orleans Career and Technical Education Center’s (OCTEC) Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering program wants to issue a huge thank you to Timothy Winters, President and CEO of Western New York Energy.

Mr. Winters reached out to teacher Bill Rakonczay to create some awesome custom fire pits for some of his company’s upcoming events.

The company is located in Medina and is locally owned. It was founded in 2004 to develop the full potential of Western New York’s energy resources while utilizing best practices and the highest ethanol standards to work with our community and business partners.

Two of the fire pits will be donated to two of their employees at the plant’s summer picnic. The other two fire pits will be donated to the Renewable Fuel Association for a raffle later this year.

Students Carson Schwab (Barker) and Tyler Rothwell (Royalton-Hartland) did a great job designing the fire pits on AutoCad and cutting them out on the program’s CNC plasma cutter.

“I would like to say a special thanks to teachers Shannon Rutty and Verenice Bragg in our Welding program for the help bending these on the brake,” said Mr. Rakonczay. “Also thank you Tim for being a great supporter of our class fundraiser!”