Home Builders Scholarship Recipients
Two Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) students have received the spring 2025 Rome Home Builders Association (RHBA) Scholarship.
Keny Ramirez and Francisco Triana received the scholarship, which rewards academic excellence and provides financial support for students working toward a degree, diploma or certificate in residential construction-related programs, including Air Conditioning Technology, Construction Management, Electrical Systems Technology, Horticulture and Lawn Maintenance on the Floyd, Gordon and Polk County Campuses.
Ramirez studies Air Conditioning Technology at GNTC’s Floyd County Campus in Rome; Francisco Triana studies Construction Management at the Gordon County Campus in Calhoun.
“This is the seventh year of our wonderful partnership with the Rome Home Builders Association,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president. “Their support has enabled many students to stay on course, graduate and enter the workforce with the tools and education needed. We are most grateful for their investment in our students.”
“There are more than 45 members of the Rome Home Builders Association, and we are excited to see the growth of students focusing their studies on the construction trades,” said Connie Mathis, chief financial officer of Rome City Bank and executive officer of RHBA. “While there is a lot more growth needed for a county our size, the students at GNTC are preparing to make a difference through their hard work and commitment to education. We are happy to support them on that journey.”
Mathis noted that Larry Maxey, who served as vice chair of the Floyd County Board of Commissioners when he passed away in December, had served on RHBA’s Scholarship Committee since its inception.
Maxey had served on the Floyd County Board of Commissioners since 2012, including being its chair from 2015-16. A life-long resident of Floyd County, Maxey was graduate of Armuchee High School and Berry College, a member of the 101st Airborne division in the U.S. Army and a Purple Heart recipient. He was the president of Lakes Construction Co. and a real estate agent at Garden Lakes Realty.
“Larry’s tasks on the RHBA Scholarship Committee included reviewing applications and considering ways to continue to grow the residential housing industry through the development of Rome’s young adults,” Mathis explained.
Phil Burkhalter of Phillip Burkhalter Builders LLC represents Floyd County on GNTC’s Board of Trustees and has been a member of RHBA for 36 years.
“The RHBA is proud to sponsor a scholarship that will help to develop our future skilled workforce and provide community leaders.” Burkhalter said.
The Rome Home Builders Association is a trade organization dedicated to creating, promoting and protecting an ongoing successful environment for affordable housing in order to benefit its members and the citizens of Georgia. The association is committed to offering opportunities for members to improve their abilities to conduct business with integrity and encourages member involvement in assisting communities to meet the need for affordable, quality housing.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths. This past year, 13,775 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,836 students and an additional enrollment of 4,939 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start.