Wally Summers and the term “Economic Development” have been synonymous or almost interchangeable to business and industry leaders in the South Georgia Technical College service area for past 50 years. Today, Wallace M. Summers is announcing his retirement as Vice President of Economic Development from South Georgia Technical College, effective June 30, 2020.
Summers has dedicated his professional career to helping others find their paths in life by giving them opportunities, investing in their future and believing in higher aspirations. He has been described as “using his profession, and his life, as a ‘force for good,’ inspiring nearly everyone he meets.” He has a strong work ethic and a “can do” spirit.
“On behalf of everyone at South Georgia Technical College, I would like to thank Wally for his service to the college for the past 18 years and to the community for nearly 50 years. He has been a key member of the South Georgia Technical College Leadership team and has had a positive impact on thousands of students and business and industry leaders throughout this area. He will be missed,” said SGTC President Dr. John Watford.
Summers began his career at South Georgia Technical College in 2002 as a Marketing Management Instructor under President Jon Johnson. He developed South Georgia Technical College’s first Marketing Management program and had over 75 students enrolled in his classes within 12 months. In addition to his role as an instructor, he served as faculty advisor to the South Georgia Technical College Jet’s men’s basketball team and worked with various companies in the college’s service area to develop marketing plans. He also helped recruit for all the programs on South Georgia Technical College’s Americus and Cordele campuses. He served in that capacity for two years.
In 2004, Wally Summers was promoted to Vice President of Economic Development when the former Vice President of Economic Development Sparky Reeves was selected as to serve as President of the college following Jon Johnson’s retirement. Summers has served as the Vice President of Economic Development for the past 16 years and has worked with individuals and business and industry leaders to help grow this community and others.
“Wally has a vision and passion for business leaders and he is willing to share his vision and knowledge with others,” said President Watford. “He has strived to use his business dealings as a tool to build relationships that ultimately make our community a better place to live and work.”
Wally Summers was instrumental in starting and managing five successful companies prior to joining South Georgia Technical College and he has been committed to using that experience to create strong business and industry partnerships for the college and the community. He has shared his 50 years of experience in sales, marketing, distribution, relations development and management with the businesses and industries in his role as the Vice President of Economic Development at South Georgia Technical College.
Summers has served and continues to serve the community on various boards and committees including the Airport Authority. He was selected to receive the Sparky Reeves Sumter Trustee Award by the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce in 2019 in honor of his lifetime achievements to help grow this community.
He is a graduate of Valdosta State University and is married to Brenda Wells Summers. The couple have three grown children, Sherri, Chet and Stephen, and a number of grandchildren and a great grandson.