Caterpillar Dealers from the Southeast serve on SGTC Advisory Committee

May 13, 2022
Shown above is SGTC President Dr. John Watford talking with the CAT Think Big Advisory Committee members recently.
Shown above is SGTC President Dr. John Watford talking with the CAT Think Big Advisory Committee members recently.

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 Heavy Equipment Dealer’s Service Technology building designed 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 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: Vice Chairman Brad Manis, Stowers Machinery of Knoxville, Tennessee; Jeff Cornwell and Jacob Pope, Yancey Brothers of Austell, GA; Matt Bass and McKenzie Baine of Ring Power in St. Augustine, FL; Chris Ellsworth of Thompson Tractor in Birmingham, AL, Kevin Upton and Tony Tice of Thompson Machinery Corp in LaVergne, TN and Teresa Odom and Lea Young of Puckett Machinery in Flowood, MS.  Representatives from Blanchard Machinery in West Columbia, SC were were unable to attend.

            South Georgia Technical College staff present included:  SGTC President Dr. John Watford; SGTC Vice President of Academic Affairs David Kuipers, SGTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and SGTC Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird, Partnerships Coordinator Tami Blount, and SGTC Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology instructors Kyle Hartsfield and Don Rountree 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 25th for an eight-week mini-mester and Fall Semester starts 18th.  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.

Jeff Cornwell (right) of Yancey Brothers opens the SGTC CAT Advisory Meeting and introduces SGTC President Dr. John Watford.