Vernon students FaceTime with alumn

VERNON — Vernon students are learning to think big and to dream even bigger.
On Wednesday, Jan. 18, Vernon Township High School alumnus Len Rinaldi virtually stepped inside a familiar classroom to offer industry insight and career advice to Vernon’s high school students. Beyond his wise words and thoughtful reflections, however, came an even greater realization to the students that afforded a most meaningful perspective: dreams are, in fact, attainable. The exponential ascent of Rinaldi’s professional career, from small town student to Chief Financial Officer of Apple, proves that even modest beginnings can lead to future successes.
From a large, widescreen monitor elevated just inches from the ceiling, Rinaldi’s smile beamed down onto the high school CTE students, as he gazed upon the iMac-filled classroom from the desk of his London office. Vernon faculty members coordinated a FaceTime session with Rinaldi in order to transmit his presence onto the screen for a live, real-time conversation with their computer science, engineering, graphic design and photography classes. Students, teachers and administrators listened in awe as Rinaldi relayed experiences and answered questions related to the impressive trajectory of his career.
“He is a proven professional,” observed Assistant Superintendent of Vernon Schools Dr. Charles McKay, “who is incredibly driven and creative, and yet has retained a humble persona that really resonates with our students.”
Despite the prestige of his role and the privilege of his success, Rinaldi spoke with a personable and genuine charisma that comforted the students enough to speak up and feel at ease. No one would have ever guessed that Len Rinaldi, this down-to-earth, easy-going “Vernon guy,” has served as the Chief Financial Officer and General Manager of Western European Sales at Apple, Inc.
Born in New York City and then having grown up in northern New Jersey, Rinaldi fondly remembers Vernon as the hometown of his childhood. During Wednesday’s FaceTime session, he vividly recalled the small town feel and personality of the Vernon community complete with nostalgic memories of Taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwiches from the local, ever-popular, bagel shops. His memories of the township and the schools have carried with him throughout the years and — to the students’ amusement—still ring true, today.
Rinaldi graduated from Vernon Township High School in the mid-eighties and then continued his education to pursue his baccalaureate degree, followed by an MBA in Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
“Having an MBA opened a lot of doors for me, later in my career,” he reflected. “Ten years down the road, it was a big reason why I got the job at Apple.” Above all else, Rinaldi believes that education can further career opportunities and lead to new, exciting prospects. Prior to his success at Apple, Rinaldi worked for other telecommunications companies, including Lucent Technologies, where he first attained the title of Chief Financial Officer. With strong affirmation that education has served as his golden ticket to big business success, Rinaldi encouraged the Vernon students to “continue to learn, even beyond just formal education.” He assured them that an educational investment pays its dividends in future success.
Having worked alongside the late Steve Jobs and now in close partnership with Tim Cooke, to whom he simply refers as just “Tim,” Rinaldi has unquestionably worked up to the top branch of the Apple tree. His long-term success assures Vernon students that no dream should ever be considered unachievable or too far from reach. As evidenced by his example, the seemingly impossible can become possible.
Although Rinaldi did not disclose any of Apple’s next plans or endeavors, but rather upheld his company’s strict code of confidentiality, he did make projections about the emerging field of logistics and its growing importance within the sales and marketing industries. Following Amazon’s quick-footed steps, Apple is now employing logistics in direct response to the modern customer’s desire and expectation for immediate distribution of goods and services. Although Amazon has now drastically minimized the time gap between point-of-sale and product delivery to a mere two hours, Apple is not a company to be outdone. As Rinaldi cautiously warns his listeners, “Never bet against Apple.”
Vernon’s administration, keenly aware of the ever-changing job landscape, updates its curriculums and course catalogs with each new school year to incorporate more progressive programs that are designed to promote student success. From core academic disciplines to various elective offerings in the technology, arts, allied health and business fields, Vernon Township High School particularly strives to prepare its graduates for the dynamic professional world that lies ahead. VTHS faculty members Doug Miller and Aaron Kiedes teach courses that not only utilize state-of-the-art technology and industry-grade materials within the classroom, but also blend certain projects across curriculums to offer students unique technical experiences. Currently, Miller’s graphic design class and Kiedes’ engineering class are collaborating their shared skills and areas of expertise, so that students can design and create their own apps from the ground up. This collaborative process closely replicates the partnership of Apple’s own computer programming and design staff members.
Miller noted that the hometown connection made between Len Rinaldi and his students “drives home a vision of success that starts in a seat, in a classroom, at Vernon Township High School.” He added, “Rinaldi reinforced the idea that students can create their own luck by working hard.”
An exemplar of the proven rewards that hard work and dedication can engender, Rinaldi demonstrates that great success is accessible for Vernon graduates like himself. Echoing the words of Vernon’s faculty members, Rinaldi advised students to become lifelong learners and repeatedly urged them “to get as much education as you possibly can.” Profitable careers develop from invested intellect and unyielding self-motivation that refuses to give in or give up. To succeed, one must think big, “think different,” and the fruits of your labor will pay off…you might even find yourself an Apple.