GNTC student Brittney Elrod has been active in numerous community service projects in Catoosa and Walker Counties.
A Georgia Northwestern Technical College student credits GNTC with helping her build a better future by helping her complete her High School Equivalency, obtain a college degree and find success in the banking industry.
Brittney Elrod expects to complete her associate degree in business management, with a specialization in operations management, online at GNTC in spring 2026. She is the banking center manager at First Financial Bank in Flintstone.
“I found a second chance through the Adult Education program at GNTC,” Ms.
Elrod said, adding that she attended classes at GNTC’s Walker County Campus in Rock Spring. “With the staff’s incredible support, I was able to earn my High School Equivalency in record time in 2006."
Ms. Elrod, a Ringgold resident, grew up in Walker County and dropped out of high school in 2005 to care for her child. Now a mother of three daughters—ages 19, 17 and 12, she said they are the reason behind everything she does.
About 10 years ago, the clinic where she worked eliminated her position, so she accepted a job as a teller at a large financial institution. She said she was unsure and a little scared to step into something so new, but her leap of faith turned out to be one of the best decisions of her life.
“Banking wasn’t something I originally set out to do,” she said. “What started as a job quickly grew into a passion, and ultimately a fulfilling career. I haven’t looked back since.”
She gained valuable experience in that position, but eventually realized that she missed the human connections, she said.
“About four and a half years ago, I made a purposeful decision to take a step back and join a small community bank as a teller, embracing the opportunity to reconnect with customers on a more personal level,” she said. “That role placed me on the front lines of customer service and reminded me of the importance of meaningful interactions.”
She later shifted into a customer service representative position. When her bank was acquired by First Financial Bank last year, she accepted a new role as senior customer service representative; the hybrid position combined the responsibilities of head teller and assistant branch manager, she said.
“This role has allowed me to expand my leadership skills while continuing to provide the personalized service that initially drew me back to community banking,” she said. “One of the most valuable lessons I gained in that role was learning how to set the tone as a leader and influence the workplace culture in a positive way.”
In December, after four years at the bank’s Ringgold location, she accepted her current position—an opportunity that has allowed her to continue growing as a leader and deepened her impact within the organization and community.
Nearly 20 years after earning her HSE, Ms. Elrod decided to do something for herself, losing 40 pounds and returning to GNTC.
Ms. Elrod initially enrolled in the Business Management certificate program in Spring 2024, but was persuaded by Leyner Argueta, program director and instructor of business management at GNTC, to pursue an associate degree in business management.
“Mr. Argueta played a pivotal role in encouraging me and reminding me that I can do this,” she said.
One of the areas in which she has experienced the most growth has been "emotional intelligence."
“Emotional intelligence is a subject I’ve developed a real passion for, yet it’s often overlooked in both education and the workplace,” Ms. Elrod said. “That’s why I’m especially grateful to see that GNTC is now offering a course specifically focused on emotional intelligence. It’s a much-needed addition to the curriculum and a powerful step toward building stronger, more empathetic leaders.”
“While I’ve always considered myself someone who works well with others, it was the coursework in Mr. Argueta’s team project class that truly helped me sharpen a skill set I didn’t even realize I needed,” she said. “The structure of the class and the collaborative environment not only challenged me, but also revealed strengths I hadn’t fully tapped into before.”
Through her coursework at GNTC, she has gained a deeper understanding of various leadership styles and the different approaches when working with or managing a team. Ms. Elrod said the lessons not only boosted her self-confidence, but also gave her practical tools she can apply in real-world leadership situations.
“Brittney has worked hard to apply her studies at GNTC to her role in banking,” said Jen Edly, Human Resources strategies officer at First Financial Bank. “She’s always been focused on protecting the organization, while serving clients with a determination to get them what’s needed. More recently, she’s leveraged her studies in leadership to grow into her newer responsibilities as a banking center manager.”
Mr. Argueta described Elrod as an exceptional student and a shining example of what the Business Management program strives to achieve.
“Brittney has consistently demonstrated strong leadership in every class she’s taken,” Mr. Argueta said. He observed that she represents herself well and praised her commitment, professionalism and drive.
Ms. Elrod is among the Leadership Catoosa class that raised funds to accommodate the needs of the Catoosa County Children’s Dental Fund. As a participant in the Leadership Catoosa program, her class was tasked with finding a meaningful service project.
“Our decision became clear when we learned approximately 35 to 40 high school seniors in our area do not have a parent or guardian,” Mr. Elrod said. “One of the greatest challenges these students face is access to basic dental care.”
Current funding would not meet the dental needs for the 2025 graduating class, she said.
“Motivated by this gap, our class committed not only to fundraising, but also to raising long-term awareness to ensure support continues well beyond our time in the Leadership Catoosa program,” Ms. Elrod said. “At the time, only one local dentist consistently provided care to these students.”
The group organized spirit nights at local restaurants, held fundraising sales and collected direct donations to raise $10,000. The group also recruited five additional local dentists willing to serve that underserved population, and the group has been in talks with a local manufacturer to offer dental services to children through the company’s on-site facilities.
“While the details are still being finalized, this partnership represents a lasting impact of our project and a hopeful future for these students,” Ms. Elrod said.
“It has been a pleasure to watch Brittney become empowered by educating herself about her community,” said Amy L. Jackson, president and chief executive officer of the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce. “She was a leader in her 2024-25 Leadership Catoosa class and has also taken a leadership role in the Fort Oglethorpe Kiwanis Club that serves Walker and Catoosa Counties.”
“Brittney puts maximum effort to make a positive impact to meet needs in our area,” Ms. Jackson said. “She connects with business owners and leaders, community members and elected officials to make a difference in the lives of others.”
In addition to graduating from the Leadership Catoosa program, Ms. Elrod is a member of the Catoosa Young Professionals group, a Walker County Chamber of Commerce ambassador and a board member—now transitioning into the role of president-elect—for the Fort Oglethorpe Kiwanis Club.
“Brittney has a way of relentlessly pursuing her dreams and goals, which she has successfully done by being adaptable and open to feedback,” Ms. Edly said. “She has a thirst for knowledge and a genuine desire to help and serve others. She has a lot of passion for her work and for those she cares about, and she has a great way of channeling that passion into meaningful impact to those around her.”