Board of Directors

State Board of Technical and Adult Education

Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. The governing entity for GNTC is the State Board of Technical and Adult Education. The State Board of Technical and Adult Education is responsible for establishing standards, regulations and policies for the operation of the Technical College System of Georgia.

GNTC Local Board of Directors

GNTC’s Board serves both in a community advisory capacity and in a limited administrative capacity, performing certain oversight responsibilities as designated by State Board policy. The local Board is comprised of members from the business and industrial communities from seven counties in the service area (Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Polk, and Walker counties). State Board Policy defines the role and responsibilities of the local Board. Board members are selected because of their experience, ability, and dedication to deal with issues that relate to the mission of occupational education and are without contractual, employment, or personal financial investment in the school.

Mary Sib Banks – Floyd County Representative

Mary Sib Banks joined CVTC’s board as a Floyd County representative in 2006. She is a native Roman. She graduated with honors from Thornwood School for Girls, attended Vanderbilt University, received a bachelor of science degree in textiles and design from the University of Alabama, and has done graduate work in textile design at the University of Georgia. Since 1988, she has been employed by News Publishing Company as vice president for community relations. Banks has been active in community organizations in Rome for 30 years. A graduate of both Leadership Rome and Leadership Georgia, she was a founding director of First Rome Bank, now Regions Bank. She is a former member of the Girl Scout Council of Northwest Georgia Board of Directors and served on the Executive Council as second vice-president for six years, the Darlington School Board of Trustees, the United Way of Rome/Floyd County, the Shorter College Board of Visitors, past member of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Open Door Home Board. Currently she serves on the following boards: Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Rome Area Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta Steeplechase Board of Stewards, Redmond Regional Medical Center, Mercy Senior Care, River City Bank, Communities in Schools, YMCA, and Harbor House. Banks was a finalist for the 1984 Woman of the Year award and the recipient of one of the 1995 Heart of the Community awards. In addition, she is a member of the Rome Rotary Club, serving as one of the trustees for the Rotary Mentoring Program and as a mentor.

Robert L. Berry, Chairman – Floyd County Representative

Robert L. Berry joined CVTC’s board as a Floyd County representative in 2003. He is a senior partner of Brinson, Askew, Berry, Seigler, Richardson & Davis, LLP. His specialties include medical malpractice and insurance defense. Berry received a bachelor of arts degree from Emory University and earned a juris doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, served on the executive committee of the State Bar of Georgia from 1994-96, and was recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyer, a joint project of Law & Politics Magazine and Atlanta Magazine. Berry’s professional affiliations include Rome Bar Association, State Bar of Georgia, American Bar Association, Georgia Academy of Healthcare Attorneys, American Academy of Healthcare Attorneys, American College of Trial Lawyers, Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, and Joseph Henry Lumpkin American Inn of Court. Active in many local organizations, he has served as president of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, president of the Exchange Club of Rome, and as a board member of the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority, Redmond Regional Medical Center, Darlington School, and Greater Rome Bank. He is currently the chairman of Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Board of Directors. Berry has been extensively involved in industrial and business development, and in promoting a regional emphasis for recruitment and an awareness of industrial, business, and educational concerns throughout the area.

Chris Corbin - Chattooga County Representative

Christopher L. Corbin joined Northwestern Technical College’s board as a Chattooga County representative in 2008. He is a partner of Farrar & Corbin, P.C. Corbin received a Bachelor of Science degree from Berry College and earned a juris doctor from Cumberland School of Law of Samford University. He is a member of the Lookout Mountain Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia. Corbin is past president of the Summerville-Trion Optimist club and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Georgia Northwestern Technical College.

Martha Eaker - Catoosa County Representative

Martha grew up in East Ridge and moved to Catoosa County in 1964. She had a career in the textile business as Assistant Plant Manager at a hosiery mill and then as a manufactures rep for several years before entering the real estate business. She was active in real estate business for over 20 years serving as an agent and leaving the business as a Regional Vice President for a major real estate firm. After volunteering for the Chamber for 15+ years she became President and CEO of the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce in October 2006. She has served as President of the Northwest Georgia Board of Realtors, President of the Chattanooga Certified Real Estate Specialist and Brokers, Board of Directors of the Chattanooga Association of Realtors and the Georgia Association of Realtors. She was named Real Estate Professional of the Year for the Northwest Georgia Board of Realtors 3 years and was named Realtor of the Year in 1995. Before joining the Chamber staff, she was a board member and also was Chamber Board Chairman of the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce in 2002. She was named Chamber Member of Year twice. She currently serves on the board of the following, the Catoosa Family Collaborative, Catoosa Citizens for Literacy, Northwest Joint Economic Development Authority, Highway 27 Association, and a contributing member of the Catoosa County Local Emergency Planning Committee, and is active in the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executive. She is also a member of the Ringgold Rotary Club.

Paul Ferguson, M.D. Floyd County Representative

Paul Ferguson joined CVTC’s board as a Floyd County representative in 2007. He is a retired neurological surgeon and the former president and CEO of the Harbin Clinic. Ferguson has a long history of community service having served on the advisory board of directors for the National Creative Society, SunTrust Bank of Northwest Georgia, and the Rome History Museum. He was on the boards of the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority, the Rome-Floyd YMCA and the Rome-Floyd County Planning Commission. He currently serves on the board of directors for Georgia Northwestern Technical College, the South Rome Redevelopment Commission, and the board of trustees of Berry College. Dr. Ferguson has been recognized for his volunteer work, receiving the Distinguished Service award from the Rome-Floyd YMCA and a Heart of the Community award. He is a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation and a Will Watt Fellow from Georgia Rotary Foundation. He is an honorary lifetime member of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce and past-president of the Rome Rotary Club, the Floyd-Polk-Chattooga Medical Society, the Georgia Neurosurgical Society, and the Neurosurgical Society of America.

Neal Florence - Walker County Representative

Neal Florence joined NTC’s board of directors as a Walker County representative in 2008. Florence earned a B.S. degree in both Chemistry and Pharmacy from the University of Georgia. He started his own business, Medi-Thrift Pharmacy in LaFayette, Georgia, in 1979. Florence is a member of many professional organizations, including the Georgia and National Pharmaceutical Associations, Governmental Affairs Comm., Academy of Independent Pharmacies, and the Northwest Georgia Pharmacy Association. He currently serves on The Bank of LaFayette Board of Directors, is a member of the Walker County Board of Health, and served on the 2007 Hope and Health International Board of Directors. Since 1990, he has served as the LaFayette City Mayor.

Randall Fox - Gordon County Representative

Randall Fox joined CVTC’s board as a Gordon County representative in 2005. Fox is the president and general manager of Fox Systems, Inc. Prior to that, he was employed by North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation. Fox graduated from Calhoun High School and attended Dalton College and Coosa Valley Technical College. He currently serves on the board of directors for Citizens Against Methamphetamines and Georgia Northwestern Technical College. He is also a member of the Independent Electric Contractors Association. Fox has many real estate developments and holdings and is involved with several joint venture companies. Fox is a supportive member of the Calhoun and Gordon County community. He takes an active role in community education and numerous youth organizations.

Penny Grigg - Walker County Representative

Penny Grigg joined NTC’s board as a Walker county representative in 2007. She is currently the Administration Manager for Nissin Brake Georgia, Rock Spring, GA. Prior to working with Nissin, Penny was the Director of Human Resources and Safety at Edge Flooring, Dalton, GA. She began her career in 1989 with the PolyOne Corporation, Gastonia, NC. She earned her BS degree in Organizational Management from Covenant College; Lookout Mtn., GA. Penny is a member of the Society of Human Resources and a member of Georgia Dept. of Labor Employer Committee.

Cathy Harrison - Gordon County Representative

Cathy Harrison joined CVTC’s board as a Gordon County representative in 2002. She retired in December 2007 after serving 33 years as the city administrator and finance officer for the City of Calhoun. Prior to working with the City of Calhoun, Harrison worked as a vice president and loan officer at Calhoun First National Bank. Harrison graduated with honors from Calhoun High School. She earned her degree in banking and a certification in municipal finance and administration from the University of Georgia. In addition, she did further studies in accounting and business law at Dalton College. She has been a tireless community volunteer for the majority of her working years. Harrison was a vital part of the committee that worked to have the Gordon County Campus of Coosa Valley Technical College built. Harrison is a member of the Georgia Northwestern Technical College Board of Directors. She was the past president and director of the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Existing Industries Committee, past director of the Georgia Municipal Association, past president of the Georgia Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association, past chairman for the Gordon County Heart Fund, member of the Georgia City/County Manager’s Association, graduate of the first class of the Gordon County Leadership Association, and member of the Calhoun Rotary Club.

Carl Herring, M.D. Floyd County Representative

Carl Herring joined CVTC’s board as a Floyd County representative in 2004. Herring is a neurosurgeon with the Harbin Clinic. He received his undergraduate education at Emory University where he obtained a bachelor of arts in chemistry. He earned his doctor of medicine degree from Tulane University School of Medicine. After receiving his medical degree, Herring completed his general surgery internship and his neurosurgery residency at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals. He obtained board certification from the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Herring is a member of many professional organizations including the American Medical Association; Medical Association of Georgia; Floyd, Polk, Chattooga Medical Society; Georgia Neurosurgical Society; American Association of Neurological Surgeons; and Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He is currently a member of Floyd Health Care’s Management Board, advisory member of the dean’s board at Tulane University, a member of the board of directors at Coosa Valley Technical College and a past member of Seven Hills Rotary Club. Herring has given presentations to many organizations including the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Society for Neurological Surgeons, Georgia Neurosurgical Society, Georgia Neurological Society, and the American Association of Pediatric Neurosurgeons.

Robert Hitchcox - Catoosa County Representative

Born in Detroit, Michigan on June 5, 1950, Georgia Northwestern Technical College Board of Director, Robert Hitchcox and his family moved to Northwest Georgia when he was three-years-old. A 1969 graduate of Chattanooga Valley High School, Mr. Hitchcox later graduated from McKenzie College in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A 38-year veteran with the Coca-Cola Company, Mr. Hitchcox is currently the Business Development Manager for the Chattanooga, Tennessee Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Mr. Hitchcox has served on the Northwestern Technical College Board of Directors since 2002. He also served as a Northwestern Technical College Foundation Board Member from 1996-2009. Mr. Hitchcox has held all offices within the Catoosa and Walker County Chambers of Commerce. He sits on the Hutcheson Medical Center Foundation and American Cancer Society Boards of Directors. Mr. Hitchcox was the Catoosa County Citizen of the Year in 1994; the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year in 2001; and the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2007. Hitchcox currently lives in Ringgold, Georgia in Catoosa County.

Anne Hydrick Kaiser - Floyd County Representative

Kaiser is the vice president of the Northwest Region for Georgia Power, headquartered in Rome, Georgia. In her current role, Kaiser is responsible for power delivery, engineering and customer service for fifteen counties and over 170,000 customers in northwest Georgia. Previously, she was the vice president of Sales at Georgia Power with responsibilities for revenue generation and customer satisfaction for 2.3 million retail customers. During her ten years with Georgia Power, Kaiser served as vice president of Corporate Services and assistant to the president and CEO. Prior to her joining Georgia Power, she held senior marketing management positions at the accounting and consulting firm, KPMG, and the Westminster Schools of Atlanta. Kaiser is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta. She served on the Board of Trustees of Savannah College of Art and Design, the Board of Directors of Park Pride and was a founding member of the Women’s Legacy Program for the United Way of America. Kaiser remains a member of the Dean’s Council of Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health. Kaiser was appointed by Governor Zell Miller to serve on the State Personnel Board, the agency that oversees the state’s 85,000 employees. Kaiser served on the board from 1996 – 1999, and served as chair in 1999. Kaiser attended Salem College and is a graduate of the University of Georgia. She is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program of Harvard Business School, and the National Association of Corporate Director’s "Director’s College."

James L. Lester - Polk County Representative

James L. Lester joined CVTC’s board as a Polk County representative in 2008. He is president of J. L. Lester & Son, Inc., an investment company, and was vice president of sales for Eby-Brown, a food distributorship, located in Rome, Georgia from 1998-2003. In addition to serving on the Gainesville Bank & Trust Bancshares board and Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s board, Lester is chairman of the board at United Bank & Trust. He currently serves as President of the Rockmart Kiwanis Club.

Todd Murphy - Polk County Representative

Todd Murphy joined CVTC’s board as a Polk County representative in 2006. Murphy is a native of Rome, Georgia. He earned his bachelor of science degree in Engineering in 1993 and his master of business administration in 1998 from Berry College. Murphy joined The HON Company in 1995 as an industrial engineer at the Cedartown, Georgia facility. He has held various engineering and manufacturing management positions and was promoted to vice president and general manager of the Cedartown, Georgia facility in 2002. In 2007, he was promoted to vice president of manufacturing for The HON Company. Murphy has responsibility for The HON Company’s Cedartown, Georgia; Florence, Alabama; and Los Angeles, California facilities. He is a speaker on lean manufacturing principles and has authored publications on various lean manufacturing tools and initiatives. Murphy is actively involved in the community serving on several councils and boards including the board of directors for the Polk County Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Northwestern Technical College, and the 11th Congressional District Manufacturing Advisory Board. He is also a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the Association for Manufacturing Excellence, and is a 2008 participant in Leadership Georgia.

Becky Page - Dade County Representative

Rebecca J. Page graduated from Ider High School, Northeast Alabama Community College (AS), University of North Alabama (BS in education), University of Alabama (MA in education), and Jacksonville State University (library-media certificate). She retired as an English teacher and media specialist from North Sand Mountain School in Higdon, AL. She was an adjunct English teacher for Northwestern Technical College for many years. She is a graduate of the Dade County Leadership class, the Regional Economic and Leadership Development Academy (Region 1), and received a certificate of Achievement from the Management Academy for Public Health. She has served on the Board of the American Red Cross of Greater Chattanooga. She serves on the Domestic Violence Fatality Review/Safety Audit Team for the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, the Dade County Benevolence Task Force, and the Ferst Foundation local Community Action Team. She is a member of Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church where she serves as church clerk and pianist. In 1999 Rebecca was hired as coordinator of DADE FIRST-Family Connection which is a local, regional, and state collaboration to strengthen the lives of families and children in Dade County.

Stan Porter - Walker County Representative

Stan Porter joined the Northwestern Technical College Board for the second time as a Walker county representative in 2005. He has been a mortgage banker for over 25 years and serves as Senior Vice President of FSG Bank in Chattanooga Tennessee. Stan is very active in his community where he serves as Chairman of Hutcheson Medical Center; past chairman of the Walker county Chamber of Commerce, and Past chairman of the Georgia Technical Institute Directors association. He presently serves on the Chattanooga Area Food bank, Walker County Planning Commission as well as the Northwest Georgia Joint Economic Development Authority serving Chattooga, Walker, Dade, and Catoosa. He is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees Mount Zion Baptist church.

Scott Tucker, Vice Chairman - Chattooga County Representative

J. Scott tucker joined the Northwestern Technical College Board as a Chattooga County representative in 2006. He has been a community banker his entire career and presently serves as President and CEO of United Community Bank of Chattooga County. Scott earned his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in management from the University of West Georgia in 1991. He graduated from the Graduate School of Banking of the South at LSU in 1994. Scott is very active in his community where he has served as Chairman of the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce; President of the Summerville-Trion Optimist Club; Life Member of Optimist International; Past President of Summerville-Trion Rotary Club and presently serves his Rotary Club on the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Summerville-Trion Rotary Club Scholarship Foundation. He is a charter board member and current Treasurer of the Northwest Georgia Joint Economic Development Authority serving Chattooga, Walker, Dade and Catoosa counties.