Four members of Central Georgia Technical College’s Board of Directors recently took part in their final minutes, culminating their involvement in the post-merger mission of the College and furthering partnerships with healthcare industries and local city and county governments.

Michael O’Hara, Dr. Vernard Hodges, Tom McMichael, and Barnee Price each gave many years of service to the College and will leave effective with the end of the fiscal year June 30, having contributed to the growth of CGTC into one of the top institutions in the Technical College System of Georgia.

“An actively engaged local board of directors is critical to any college as those individuals advise the administration of the college on community needs and serve as advocates for it,” said executive vice president for CGTC, Jeff Scruggs. “Each of these gentlemen have distinguished themselves by providing wise counsel to the administration and by serving as tireless advocates for the work and Mission of CGTC.  Not only are these gentlemen model board members, they are also important on a personal level to many in the College.  While their official engagement as local board members may be coming to an end, we look forward to seeing each of them often, on and around our campuses.”

O’Hara has served the College as a representative of Houston County since 2008, as a former director of Civilian Personnel at Robins Air Force Base and then senior executive director of Human Resources for Houston Healthcare.

Dr. Hodges, is a passionate practitioner of veterinarian medicine, fish biologist, and proponent of technical education, who has represented Peach County since 2011, where he raises koi on a fish farm.

Tom McMichael is a retired banker with 40 years of experience, currently serves on the Houston County Board of Commissioners, and has served on numerous boards in the region including positions as board chairman for CGTC, director of the Museum of Aviation, director of the Houston County Republican Party, United Way Chairman, and president of the Georgia Small Business Lenders.

And, Barnee Price, a board member since 2013, representing Bibb and Crawford Counties, was chief human resources officer at Navicent Health and crucial to the College in expanding its impact in the health care industry.

O’Hara, Hodges and McMichael, began their service with Middle Georgia Technical College and played key roles in the merger of MGTC and CGTC and solidifying the board’s direction.

Price joined the board later and helped the College strengthen partnerships in local healthcare facilities and in workforce development.