Georgia Forestry Commission officials tour South Georgia Technical College

January 14, 2025
South Georgia Technical College Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain, Georgia Forestry Commission Safety and Training Manager Seth Pierce, GFC Chief of Protection Thomas Barrett are shown above (l to r) with SGTC President Dr. John Watford, GFC Commission Director Johnny Sabo, SGTC Board member Grant Buckley and SGTC Director of Economic Development Paul Farr.
South Georgia Technical College Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain, Georgia Forestry Commission Safety and Training Manager Seth Pierce, GFC Chief of Protection Thomas Barrett are shown above (l to r) with SGTC President Dr. John Watford, GFC Commission Director Johnny Sabo, SGTC Board member Grant Buckley and SGTC Director of Economic Development Paul Farr.

    Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) Director Johnny Sabo, Chief of Protection for the Georgia Forestry Commission Thomas Barrett, and Georgia Forestry Commission Safety and Training Manager Seth Pierce toured South Georgia Technical College recently with President Dr. John Watford and SGTC Board of Director member Grant Buckley.

   South Georgia Technical College and Georgia Forestry Commission officials are looking at partnering with South Georgia Tech and the Technical College System of Georgia for training opportunities for existing employees as well as recruiting technical college graduates to join the Georgia Forestry Commission.

   SGTC Vice President of Academic Affairs Julie Partain, SGTC Director of Economic Development Paul Farr and SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement met with Dr. Watford, Grant Buckley and the Georgia Forestry Officials to talk about partnership and training opportunities.

   South Georgia Tech offers over 200 associate degree, diploma, and short-term technical certificate of credit educational opportunities and is one of only two technical colleges in Georgia with on-campus housing.  It offers students the “complete college experience” with nationally ranked academic programs, student activities, and intercollegiate athletics.

   The Georgia Forestry Commission believes that existing employees could benefit from training in programs such as Diesel Technology, Heavy Equipment, Agricultural Technology, Horticulture, Commercial Truck Driving, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Computer Information Systems, Business Technology, and Leadership Development programs offered by SGTC and other technical colleges.

  SGTC President Dr. John Watford toured the officials through the campus and gave an overview of the financial aid opportunities as well as associate degree or short-term technical certificate of credit programs and training offered through economic development.

    “This could be a great opportunity for the Georgia Forestry Commission as well as the Technical College System of Georgia and South Georgia Technical College,” explained President Watford.  The Georgia Forestry Commission officials also had the opportunity to meet with Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Greg Dozier, who was on the SGTC campus.