SGTC 1979 aviation graduate Dan Linginfelter honored as Alumni of Year
SAVANNAH, GA – South Georgia Technical College 1979 Aviation graduate Dan Linginfelter of St. Simons Island, GA, was recognized at the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) 2024 Fall Leadership Conference in Savannah Georgia as an “Alumni of the Year” along with representatives from 21 other technical colleges.
The award honors exceptional alumni who have made significant contributions in their fields, demonstrated leadership in their communities, and serve as ambassadors of technical education in Georgia. The recognition and announcement took place at the 2024 Fall Leadership Conference in Savannah, where leaders from Georgia’s 22 technical colleges gathered to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of TCSG alumni.
This annual recognition underscores the role that TCSG plays in equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in today’s dynamic workforce. “We are honored to celebrate the achievements of these 23 outstanding alumni,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “Their success stories illustrate the transformative impact of technical education in Georgia. These individuals not only exemplify the dedication and skill needed in today’s workforce, but also inspire others to pursue opportunities that lead to rewarding careers. Their accomplishments reflect the critical role our colleges play in developing a highly trained and adaptable workforce that drives Georgia’s economy forward.”
Linginfelter used his education from South Georgia Technical College, where he earned an A & P (Airframe and Powerplant) license, to make a tremendous impact in the aviation maintenance industry. He is currently living in St. Simons Island, GA. He retired from Delta Air Lines, where he worked for 32 years, most recently as Atlanta Station Manager, International. He came out of retirement twice. Once to serve as Director of Operations with Certified Aviation Services, a leading provider of Maintenance Repair Operation (MRO) services for fleet operators around the world. He was responsible for supporting management and staff in both East Coast and West Coast stations as well as Los Angeles, Seattle, Ontario, CA; San Diego, Las Vegas and San Francisco. He also retired as a Senior Airworthiness Inspector for Gulfstream Aerospace.
Linginfelter was South Georgia Tech’s Griffin Bell Convocation speaker in 2017. He was recognized by former Governor Nathan Deal at TCSG’s Taste of Tech event and was spotlighted by TCSG as its Alumnus of the Year in 2016. He is the Past President of the Technical College System of Georgia State Foundation Board and served two years as President.
His family endowed an aviation maintenance scholarship at South Georgia Technical College in his honor and have continued to fund that scholarship to help provide opportunities for other individuals to pursue their education in the aviation maintenance field. This endowed scholarship provides indefinite educational opportunities for South Georgia Technical College aviation maintenance students.
The 2024 Alumni of the Year recipients come from diverse fields including healthcare, manufacturing, aviation, business, and information technology. Each individual leveraged their education and hands-on training from a TCSG college to make meaningful contributions in their respective industries.
The list of the 2024 Alumni of the Year and their respective colleges include:
- Alex Daniels, Carpentry/Construction Management, Albany Technical College
- Amanda Stanley, Radiography, Athens Technical College
- Oriel Selver, HVAC and Construction Management, Atlanta Technical College
- Dr. Delester Brown, Jr., Mechanical Engineering Technology, Augusta Technical College
- Moeiini Reilly, Computer Information Systems Technology, Central Georgia Technical College
- Paul Hardie, Environmental Science, Chattahoochee Technical College
- Jordan Cason, Air Conditioning Technology, Coastal Pines Technical College
- JeJuan Collins, Welding & Joining Technology, Columbus Technical College
- Jodi McDaniel Lowery, Criminal Justice, Georgia Northwestern Technical College
- Justin Hawkins, Air Conditioning Technology, Georgia Piedmont Technical College
- Robbie Vickers, Accounting, Gwinnett Technical College
- Greg Trammell, Machine Tool Technology, Computer Numerical Control Technology, Lanier Technical College
- Cassandra Wilkins, Business & Information Technology, North Georgia Technical College
- Barbara J. Martin, Early Childhood Care and Education, Oconee Fall Line Technical College
- Sean Fox, Construction Management, Ogeechee Technical College
- Vinh Pham, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Savannah Technical College
- Dan Linginfelter, Aviation Maintenance Technology, South Georgia Technical College
- Noelia Santana, Dental Hygiene, Southeastern Technical College
- Kelly Lewis Browning, Early Childhood Education, Southern Crescent Technical College
- Hilliary Bailey, Veterinary Technology, Southern Regional Technical College
- Joe Pennington, Welding & Joining Technology, West Georgia Technical College
- Bobby Stalvey & Tom Stalvey, Electrical Technology, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
The TCSG Fall Leadership Conference provides an opportunity for college leaders and foundation boards to discuss future initiatives, best practices, and strategies to continue advancing technical education in Georgia. The Alumni of the Year award highlights the ongoing success of the system’s graduates and their influence on Georgia’s workforce development.