Georgia Northwestern Technical College President Pete McDonald poses with the college’s two newest members of its board of directors. From left, Robert “Rob” Bradham, Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce president and CEO; McDonald; and Albert “Al” Hodge, Jr., Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.
The Georgia Northwestern Technical College board of directors saw two new members sworn in during a meeting held on the college’s Catoosa County Campus in Ringgold - Floyd County's Albert “Al” Hodge, Jr. and Whitfield County’s Robert “Rob” Bradham. GNTC President Pete McDonald swore in the new members at the college’s newest campus.
Mr. Bradham, a graduate of Old Dominion University (’99) in Norfolk, Va., is the president and CEO of the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce. He previously served as the vice president of Public Strategies for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce (2010-15) and as the senior vice president of Business Development and Government Affairs of the Greater Richmond (Va.) Chamber of Commerce (2007-2010). Mr. Bradham is married to Melissa Sherfey Bradham. They have two children, Caleb and Keller.
Mr. Hodge, a graduate of the University of Georgia (’77) in Athens, and has served as the president and CEO of the Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce for the past 20 years. He previously served as the president and CEO of the Augusta (Ga.) Metro Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the Charleston (SC) Metro Chamber of Commerce, as well. Mr. Hodge is married to Cheryl Riner Hodge. They have one daughter, Marie Hodge Gordon, and two grandchildren, Libby and Matthew Gordon.
In Fall 2017, Dade County Board of Education Director of School Operations Dr. James Cantrell was the last person sworn in to the GNTC board of directors. Also during 2017, Roper Corporation (LaFayette) Human Resources Manager Rhonda Beasley was the last person sworn in to serve on the GNTC 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 16 members from the business and industrial communities from nine counties in the service area (Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Murray, Polk, Walker and Whitfield 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.
Current members of the Georgia Northwestern board of directors are Rhonda Beasley, Walker County; Robert “Rob” Bradham, Whitfield County; Vann Brown, Whitfield County; Dr. James Cantrell, Dade County; James “Jay” Henry, Chair, Catoosa County; Albert “Al” Hodge, Floyd County; Tamaka Hudson, Polk County; Paul Meredith, Chattooga County; William “Terry” Nesbitt, Gordon County; Robert “Bob” Owens, Floyd County; Brittany Pittman, Murray County; Kenna Stock, Floyd County; Michele Taylor, Gordon County; John Thomas, Whitfield County; and Dr. Phillip Williams, Chattooga County.