Christopher McGee is named SGTC GOAL winner

South Georgia Technical College Marketing Management student Christopher McGee of Cordele has been named the SGTC GOAL (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership) winner for 2017, announced SGTC President Dr. John Watford at the recent GOAL luncheon held in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on SGTC’s Americus campus. McGee was selected by a panel of local community leaders from a group of three GOAL finalists. The two other finalists were Gage Greene of Williamson, a Heavy Equipment Dealers Service Technology student, and Racarda Blackmon of Americus, a Networking Specialist student. “I can’t wait for the opportunity to promote technical education for South Georgia Technical College,” said McGee, who enjoys being involved as a counselor for diabetes camps for children aged 5-18. McGee, who was diagnosed with diabetes at age 12, says he loves to show kids what they’re capable of.  He is also on track to become the youngest salesman for Marvair, a Heating and Air Conditioning contracting company in Cordele. “Christopher has a magnetic personality,” said his nominating instructor, Karen Bloodworth. “He works hard and knows the value of technical education.” McGee is involved with Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) for SGTC’s Crisp County Center chapter and will be a participant in upcoming regional competitions. Christopher will serve as SGTC’s representative for technical education and will compete at the statewide GOAL competition in Atlanta this April for the chance to be named the statewide GOAL winner. Last year, SGTC’s GOAL winner Ashley Rodgers, a Marketing Management student from Oglethorpe, was selected as the statewide GOAL winner. The state GOAL winner serves as the ambassador for the Technical College System of Georgia and receives a grand prize of a new car provided by Kia, the state corporate sponsor for Georgia’s GOAL program. At the luncheon, President Emeritus Sparky Reeves and his wife Allene presented Christopher with a donation from the Sparky and Allene Reeves scholarship fund, and Reda Rowell, President of the Americus Rotary Club, also presented McGee with a gift stipend on behalf of the Americus Rotary Club. Sponsors for the SGTC GOAL luncheon included the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce and the Americus Rotary Club. Ivy Oliver of the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce assisted in presenting awards to the three finalists. “The GOAL program is a key component in developing our workforce,” said Oliver, “and I’m excited to see what the future holds for all of you.” Last year’s GOAL winner, Ashley Rodgers, also gave remarks at the luncheon. “The past year has been phenomenal,” she said. Her advice to McGee was, “It’s not the title that makes you, it’s what you bring to the title.” Other SGTC GOAL nominees for 2017 included Kristen Morgan Whaley of Americus, Cosmetology; Janiyah Johnson of Stockbridge, Early Childhood Care and Education; Leah Windham of Oglethorpe, Marketing Management; Tonya Barrett of Ellaville, Computer Information Systems; Annie Streeter of Americus, Accounting; Lisa Allen-Streeter of Plains, Business Technology; Judashia Eley of Americus, Criminal Justice Technology; Mackenzie Cripe of Cobb, Early Childhood Care and Education; and Ramona Williams of Cordele, Criminal Justice Technology. The internal screening committee, who selected the three finalists after interviewing each nominee, included SGTC staff members Mark Brooks, Director of Administrative Services; Dr. Deborah Jones, Assistant Vice President of Student Navigation; Michelle McGowan, Director of Business and Industry Services; Julie Partain, Dean of Enrollment Management for the Crisp County Center; and Sammy Stone, Director of Campus Safety. A selection committee consisting of members of the community interviewed finalists McGee, Greene, and Blackmon to select the GOAL winner. The selection committee consisted of Jay Roberts of Georgia Power Company, Jackie Bryce of Star Racing, Marcus Johnson of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, and Don Smith of South Georgia Technical College. Cynthia Carter, Director of Career Services, is the GOAL Coordinator for South Georgia Tech.