In Alpena’s industrial heart stands Amrize, a company that’s been shaping both concrete and community for generations, a Tuesday press release from the Alumni Team at Alpena Community College stated. What makes this cement plant even more remarkable is the number of ACC alumni who help keep its operations running strong. From maintenance to management, ACC graduates are deeply embedded in the team, bringing skill, pride, and a hands-on approach that reflects their Lumberjack roots.

In a recent ACC survey of area businesses, many Amrize employees, including electricians, planners, and production leaders, shared their stories about how ACC helped shape their professional success. Every single one of them spoke positively about the impact ACC had on preparing them for the real world.

For Jeff Purol, Powerhouse & Electrical Manager, his path to success began at ACC.

“ACC gave me the foundation I needed to be successful,” Purol said, now 15 years into his Amrize career.

That same was true for Douglas Young, Pyro Maintenance Planner II, who has also been with Amrize for 15 years.

“ACC provided me with incredible instructors and a dedicated learning environment,” Young shared. “I was a full-time employee, student, and parent to two young children. I was able to juggle my schedule to make the best of my experience because of all of the options available.”

Julia Prieur, an Electrical Planner, found her footing through ACC’s Utility Technology program, which blended technical coursework with real world application.

“The utility technology program prepped me with the knowledge to be able to do my current job planning for the electrical department as I took a few electrical related classes,” Prieur said. “Going back and finishing my associate degree at ACC helped me grow more confident and better my skills like time management and teamwork/collaboration.”

And for Philip Carriveau, now a Production Coordinator with more than two decades at Amrize, ACC provided a solid technical base that carried through a career defined by leadership and innovation in cement production.

In total, 30 ACC alumni working at Amrize responded to ACC’s recent survey to share their experiences, and each emphasized how their time at Alpena Community College prepared them for rewarding, long-term careers. They said ACC gave them the technical training, work ethic, and confidence to succeed.

Amrize has stood as a pillar in Alpena for more than a century, producing high-quality cement that supports Michigan’s roads, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure across the Midwest. With a deep commitment to community, safety, and sustainability, the company seeks not just to build structures, but to build lasting opportunity.

By investing in local talent, hiring ACC graduates and fostering their growth, Amrize connects its legacy of industrial strength to the future of this region. Whether working in maintenance, production, planning, or electrical systems, ACC alumni at Amrize are using their skills to keep Alpena’s industry strong and its future moving forward.