GWINNETT – The Gwinnett Tech Foundation is thrilled to announce the appointment of nine new members to its Board of Trustees.
“We are excited to welcome our new trustees,” said Darcie Johnson, Executive Director of Gwinnett Tech Foundation. “Each of them brings invaluable knowledge and expertise, along with a strong belief in the transformative power of education. As industry innovators and community leaders, their insights will be instrumental in advancing Gwinnett Tech’s mission to provide career-focused education for real-world jobs.”
These new trustees will play a crucial role in supporting and funding Gwinnett Technical College’s programs and facilities, student scholarships, and faculty and staff development. The new trustees are:
- Kim Anker, RN, MSN: Director of the Northside Hospital Foundation, responsible for executing the foundation’s strategic vision and objectives.
- Kelley Balkcom: Metro North Region Executive at Georgia Power Company, managing external affairs for the Gwinnett, North DeKalb, North Fulton, and Forsyth areas.
- Mike Carrigan: Recruiting Manager at Hennessy Automobile Companies, specializing in automotive fixed operations recruiting.
- Nancy Du: Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) with Ashford Advisors, advising clients on financial planning, taxes, insurance, estate planning, and retirement.
- Jason Etheridge: Founder and President of Logic Speak, a managed IT service provider that empowers the Modern Workforce through technology strategy, support, and security.
- Michael Hopkins: Experienced in the HVAC industry, working at Mingledorff’s as a Residential Sales Manager and Carrier Brand Manager.
- Paula Levesque, MSA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, CMAC, ACM-RN: Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for Wellstar North Fulton in Roswell, Georgia.
- Cole Porter: President and Owner of Porter Steel, Inc., a structural steel and miscellaneous metals subcontractor working on construction projects across the Southeast.
- DePriest Waddy: President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia.
These new trustees join a distinguished list of industry leaders already serving on the Gwinnett Tech Foundation Board of Trustees, including:
- Kali Boatright, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, Chair
- Jennifer Bridwell, Georgia Banking Company, Vice-Chair
- Dr. D. Glen Cannon (Ex Officio), President, Gwinnett Technical College
- Cliff Clark, Discovery Point
- Max “Chip” Coberly, Peach State Federal Credit Union, Treasurer
- Darcie Johnson, Gwinnett Tech Foundation, Executive Director
- Dan King (Emeritus), Retired, King & Spalding
- Sonya McDaniel (Ex Officio), Gwinnett Technical College
- Sean Murphy (Director Emeritus), Celestica
- Mac Peden (Director Emeritus), Retired, ADP, Inc.
- J. Alvin Wilbanks (Director Emeritus), Retired, Gwinnett County Public Schools
The Gwinnett Tech Foundation looks forward to the contributions and leadership of its new trustees as they work together to support the college’s mission and goals.
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About Gwinnett Tech: Gwinnett Technical College, one of Georgia’s largest technical colleges, is committed to delivering relevant knowledge to meet the workforce training needs of its community. The college offers over 160 associate degrees, diplomas, certificate programs, and hundreds of seminars, workshops, and courses providing specialized training. Gwinnett Tech is Gwinnett County’s largest corporate training provider and serves residents and businesses in north Fulton County. Gwinnett Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, or call for questions about the accreditation of Gwinnett Technical College. In addition, some college programs hold separate licensure or accreditation status with appropriate agencies. For more information, visit GwinnettTech.edu. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.