Palm Beach State College honors TBC Corporation and awards scholarships

From left are Dr. Stephen Joyner, provost of Palm Beach State College’s Palm Beach Gardens campus; Don Byrd, CEO of TBC Corporation; four Palm Beach State College scholarship winning students; Matthew Lenihan, Palm Beach State College Business & Academic Relations Director; and Megan Filoon, TBC Corporation's Chief People Officer. [Photo by Palm Beach State College]

Palm Beach State College recognized TBC Corporation and its CEO, Don Byrd, as a Panther Partner during the College’s Student Awards Ceremony on April 17, highlighting a growing collaboration focused on student success, workforce development and scholarship support.

As part of the recognition, TBC Corporation awarded five $3,000 scholarships to students for the 2026–2027 academic year. The investment marks the second consecutive year the company has supported Palm Beach State students pursuing higher education and career advancement.

The scholarships were awarded to Emmanuel Jean, Jade White, Nestor Palomino Espinoza, Juan Fernando Salaverria Hill and Maria K. De La Paz Guerra, all of whom are enrolled in business-related degree programs. The funding supports students completing Associate in Science degrees and continuing into bachelor’s pathways, as well as those enrolled in Bachelor of Applied Science programs.

“Partnerships like the one we share with TBC Corporation create meaningful opportunities for our students to achieve their academic and career goals,” says Palm Beach State College President Ava L Parker. “Their continued investment in scholarships and workforce development reflects a deep commitment to student success and the economic vitality of our community.”

TBC Corporation serves as a key education partner for the college, particularly in workforce upskilling initiatives. The company also contributes through advisory council participation, guest speaking engagements and ongoing collaboration with academic programs, helping ensure students graduate with skills aligned to current industry needs.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Palm Beach State College and to support students as they pursue their educational and professional goals,” says Don Byrd, CEO of TBC Corporation. “Investing in these students is an investment in the future workforce and the communities we serve.”

The Panther Partner designation recognizes organizations across Palm Beach County that demonstrate a strong commitment to education, innovation and community impact through scholarships, internships and career development initiatives.

Founded in 1933, Palm Beach State College offers more than 160 programs of study and serves over 40,000 students annually across multiple campuses and online platforms. TBC Corporation, one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tires, operates across the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America, with a network of more than 2,400 franchised and licensed service centers.

Officials say the continued partnership reflects a shared commitment to preparing students for in-demand careers while strengthening the region’s workforce pipeline.