Americus, GA – South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford met with representatives from six Caterpillar Dealers from across the Southeastern United States, during 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 for the purpose of conducting training opportunities benefiting the Caterpillar dealers.
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 Heavy Equipment Dealer’s Service Technology portion of the meeting and Kevin Human of Stowers Machinery, Chairman for the Electric Power Generation Advisory Committee, presided over that portion of 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. 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 Josh Schreck, of Yancey Brothers of Austell, GA; Luke Wachter, Sonya Sherer, and Taylor Bradshaw of Thompson Tractor in Birmingham, AL; Stacy Webb of Puckett Machinery in Flowood, MS and Jason Nelson and Ritchie Monteith of Blanchard Machinery in West Columbia, SC and Irv Sharpe of Carolina Cat in Charlotte, NC.
South Georgia Technical College staff present included: SGTC President Dr. John Watford; SGTC Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain, SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird, SGTC Vice President of Student Affairs Eulish Kinchens, Academic Deans Brett Murrsay and Katrice Taylor, SGTC Partnerships Coordinator Tami Blount, and SGTC Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology instructor Don Rountree and Rance Poss, and Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Power Generation instructor Keith McCorkle.
SGTC is currently registering students for Summer and Fall Semester. Summer semester classes begin May 23 for an eight-week mini-mester and Fall Semester starts August 15. SGTC offers students the “Complete College Experience” with on-campus housing and nationally recognized academics, student activities, and intercollegiate athletics. Learn more at www.southgatech.edu. SGTC is still accepting students for summer and fall semester. Financial aid is available.
For more information on the SGTC – Caterpillar Think Big program visit the SGTC website, www.southgatech.edu or click on /economic-development/partnerships/caterpillar/ to see a video and learn more.
