Georgia Northwestern Technical College President Dr. Craig McDaniel announced to Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce Leadership that the Catoosa Campus project is underway.
Land is currently being prepared for the first stages of the project.

Dr. McDaniel said, “The Catoosa Campus will concentrate on programs which will help train potential auto plant specialists from Catoosa and all of Northwest Georgia, as well as prepare our neighbors for the jobs that are still yet to come. Among the programs which will be high priority is mechatronics.” “Mechatronics” is a program which trains students in a hybrid program of electronics and mechanical specialties.

Dr. McDaniel has also named Anthony Gallman as cosmetology instructor, Larry Jarrett as aviation maintenance instructor, Lura Sheppard as GED chief examiner, Lee Ann Williams as practical nursing instructor and Denise Wittman as medical business administrative technology instructor.

Anthony Gallman graduated from Shorter College in 2002 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. In 2003, he received his cosmetology diploma from Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Since that time, Mr. Gallman has worked at several salons in Calhoun and Dalton and is now the owner of Anthony & Company Salon in Calhoun. He is a graduate of the Leadership Murray program and was a 2008 Leadership Georgia nominee. Mr. Gallman is a volunteer with Floyd County Juvenile Court as a citizen panel review member. As a cosmetology instructor, he will coordinate the dual enrollment program which gives local high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to participate in the cosmetology program for GNTC college credit.

Larry Jarrett joined the United States Air Force in 1973. After technical school he was assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Pease Air Force Base. Mr. Jarrett worked on the Boeing KC-135 aircraft. In 1980, he was reassigned to the 42nd Bomb Wing of Loring Air Force Base in Maine and worked on the KC-135 and the B-52 aircraft. Mr. Jarrett was moved into the mobility office in 1989 during Desert Storm Operation. He was responsible for moving over 400 people and support equipment to locations all over the world in support of the war. Mr. Jarrett retired from the 69th Bomb Wing in 1993 after 20 years of service in the United States Air Force. After retirement, he opened a fix base operation at the airport in Caribou, Maine. Mr. Jarrett was in charge of aircraft maintenance, charter service, flight instruction, and on call maintenance for US Air at the Presque Isle Airport. Mr. Jarrett joined Telford Aviation in 2001 as director of maintenance where he started a FAA part 145 Repair Station for the Short 3-60 Aircraft. In 2003, he joined HQ Aero Services doing contract work where he traveled all over the world and maintained all types of aircraft. Mr. Jarrett moved to Rome in 2008 and began working for Cole Aviation Moony Service Center at the Richard B. Russell Regional Airport as a maintenance technician. As instructor for the aviation maintenance program, Mr. Jarrett will teach all aspects of airframe and engine maintenance that would be required to maintain an aircraft in airworthy condition.

Lura Sheppard received a bachelor of English degree from Tennessee Temple College and a master of public affairs degree from Kentucky State University. Most recently, Ms. Sheppard completed 18 hours in education and writing from the University of Virginia. She has taught high school English since 2005. Prior to that, Ms. Sheppard traveled across the United States and Canada for the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention for 12 years. Recently published in the anthology for the Appalachian Writing Project, Ms. Sheppard’s love is teaching writing. She has been involved in church and community projects for most of her career. As GED chief examiner, Ms. Sheppard will be responsible for administering the GED in the assigned counties. She will connect with community representatives in schools and other agencies to assure that they have proper information about the GED test. The chief examiner assists in preparation and orientation of testers and the oversight of the GED program at Georgia Northwestern Technical College.

Lee Ann Williams began her educational career with an associate degree in nursing from Chattanooga State Community College and continued her education by obtaining a masters degree in nursing from Walden University. Ms. Williams has been in nursing for 18 years with most of her experience consisting of cardiac and surgical services. As a practical nursing instructor, her responsibilities will include educating and mentoring students to become qualified licensed practical nurses. Ms. Williams teaches on the Walker County Campus of Georgia Northwestern Technical College.

Denise Wittman received her bachelor of science degree in organizational management from Covenant College. She has 11 years experience in healthcare administration. Her medical administrative management background includes physician practice management, surgery center, and dialysis center administration. Ms. Wittman is a member of the American Academy of Medical Management. She has served on several healthcare governing boards and medical executive committees. Most recently, she served as the director for physician practices and hospitalist program for a large hospital system in Tennessee. As the medical business administrative technology instructor at Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Walker County and Gordon County campuses, Ms. Wittman will be responsible for providing high quality educational opportunities for students in the field of medical business administrative technology, while working closely with the community to increase additional workforce opportunities.

For more information on the Catoosa County Campus or the winter quarter at Georgia Northwestern, call (866) 983-GNTC (4682). The deadline to apply to any one of the four Georgia Northwestern campuses in Floyd, Gordon, Polk, or Walker County is December 3.