Americus, GA –Representatives from Caterpillar Corporate and five Caterpillar dealers from across the Southeastern United States, participated in the “ThinkBIG” Heavy Equipment Dealers Service Technology Advisory Committee meeting at South Georgia Technical College recently. The group held the meeting in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology building in the Griffin Bell Lecture Room
The purpose of the conglomerate meeting was to discuss student learning outcomes, admission requirements, competency tests and instructional materials, industry specific equipment, program purpose and goals, program of work, donations, AED accreditation, and additional items as well as financial and equipment loans. Chairman Jeff Cornwell of Yancey Brothers, presided over the meeting.
The Heavy Equipment Dealer’s Service Technology Program is a unique program in which students are sponsored by a participating dealer to attend SGTC in eight-week increments of college training and on the job training. This process is repeated for two years. Upon graduation, students receive an Associate of Technology Degree and are eligible to obtain full employment with their sponsoring Caterpillar dealer.
Dealers participating in the meeting included: Brad Manis and Kevin Human, Stowers Machinery of Knoxville, Tennessee; Jeff Cornwell, Will Ring, and Jacob Pope, Yancey Brothers of Austell, GA; Luke Wachter and Sonya Sherer of Thompson Tractor in Birmingham, AL Amy King, Irv Sharp, and Joe Thornton, Carolina Cat of Charlotte, NC; Teresa Odom of Puckett Machinery in Flowood, MS, and individuals from Blanchard Machinery in West Columbia, SC. Bobby Kellum from Caterpillar Corporate also attended.
South Georgia Technical College staff present included: Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain, SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird, SGTC Academic Deans Brett Murray and Katrice Martin, SGTC Partnerships Coordinator Tami Blount, and SGTC Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology instructor Don Rountree and Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Power Generation instructor Keith McCorkle.
SGTC is currently registering students for Fall Semester C-Term classes. The eight week shortened term will begin October 11th and students can sign up for classes. The c-term ends December 12. SGTC offers students the “Complete College Experience” with on-campus housing and nationally recognized academics, student activities, and intercollegiate athletics. There are over 200 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate of credit programs of study available. Learn more at www.southgatech.edu. Financial aid is available.