GNTC Board Of Directors Announces New Board Chair And Co-Chair

  • Monday, November 11, 2019
Board Vice-Chair Michele W. Taylor (from left) stands with the President of GNTC Heidi Popham and Board Chair Rhonda Beasley in the atrium of the Gordon County Campus
Board Vice-Chair Michele W. Taylor (from left) stands with the President of GNTC Heidi Popham and Board Chair Rhonda Beasley in the atrium of the Gordon County Campus

The Georgia Northwestern Technical College board of directors has elected a new board chair and co-chair for the 2020 fiscal year. 
 
Rhonda Beasley of Rock Springs has been selected as chair out of the 15-person board, with Dr. Michele W. Taylor of Calhoun serving as vice-chair. The GNTC board of directors is comprised up of representatives from its nine service areas. 
 
Ms. Beasley works for the Roper Corporation and was featured in the Georgia Institute of Technology’s faces of Manufacturing in Georgia. Ms. Beasley holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Berry College, as well as a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. 
 
Vice-chair Taylor is the superintendent for Calhoun City Schools, a role she has held for the past 13 years. She was selected as Georgia Superintendent of the Year in 2014 and was also a finalist for the National Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Taylor holds several degrees including a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Shorter University, a master’s degree from West Georgia College and doctorate degrees in educational leadership from Sarasota University. 
 
The board meets monthly to ensure quality technical education and workforce development opportunities are being supported throughout the communities of northwest Georgia. 
 
Listed are members of GNTC’s board of directors showing (left to right) the board member’s name, county, place of employment and title:

Chair Rhonda Beasley, Walker, Roper Corporation, manager of Human Resources
Robert L. (Bob) Berry, Floyd, Brinson Askew Berry
Robert Bradham, Whitfield, Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, president and CEO      
Vann Brown, Whitfield, Brown Ox Ventures, Inc., president              
Dr. James Cantrell, Dade, Dade County Board of Education, director of School Operations
James “Jay” Henry, Catoosa, Shaw Industries, director of Operations Support
Albert “Al” Hodge, Floyd, Hodge Consulting
Paul Meredith, Chattooga, Mohawk, director of Manufacturing
William “Terry” Nesbitt, Gordon, U. S. Army, retired Major General
Robert “Bob” Owens, Floyd, OTR Wheel Engineering, Inc., chief financial officer
Brittany Pittman, Murray           
Kenna Stock, Floyd, Harbin Clinic, chief executive officer
Vice-chair Michele Taylor, Gordon, Calhoun City Schools, superintendent
John Thomas, Whitfield, Dalton Utilities, chief energy services officer
Cassandra Wheeler, Floyd, Georgia Power, northwest regional director
Dr. Phillip Williams, Chattooga, Trion City Schools, superintendent


Student Scene
Baylor Names Jasmin Rippon Director Of Annual Giving
Baylor Names Jasmin Rippon Director Of Annual Giving
  • 7/10/2025

Jasmin Rippon has been named the new director of Annual Giving at Baylor School. With more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and over a decade in senior leadership roles, Mrs. ... more

Design Work Getting Underway On Several County School Building Projects
  • 7/9/2025

Design work is getting underway on several county school building projects tied to a $250 million bond issue. Tinker Ma will design the Gateway Career Technical Education Building renovation ... more

CGLA's Dr. Elaine Swafford Inducted Into 2025 Charter Schools Hall Of Fame
  • 7/8/2025

Dr. Elaine Swafford, CEO of Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, was one of four "visionary leaders" the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools announced last night as the 2025 inductees ... more