GNTC Names 3 New Members To Board Of Directors

Kenna Stock, chief executive officer of Harbin Clinic, Michele Taylor, superintendent of Calhoun City Schools, and John Thomas, chief energy services officer of Dalton Utilities, were sworn in as the newest members of the board of directors at Georgia Northwestern Technical College. 

Pete McDonald, president of GNTC, swore in the three new board of directors members at a meeting held on the Gordon County Campus in Calhoun.

Ms. Stock has been with Harbin Clinic in Rome since 1999. Before becoming chief executive officer, she served as executive director, chief operating officer, and business office director. Prior to her roles at Harbin Clinic, Ms. Stock resided in St. Louis and served as reimbursement manager for Esse Health and as administrative director at Metro Imaging. She received her bachelor’s degree from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. and her master’s degree from Shorter University in Rome.

Ms. Taylor was assistant superintendent of Calhoun City Schools prior to becoming superintendent in 2007. Her professional education experience also includes serving as adjunct professor at Berry College, Lincoln Memorial University, Piedmont College, and Valdosta State University; principal, Calhoun Elementary School; improvement initiative coordinator, Georgia Leadership Institute; Instructional Coordinator, Kingston Elementary School; media specialist and classroom teacher, Calhoun Elementary School and Calhoun Middle School. Ms. Taylor earned a specialist and doctoral degree from University of Sarasota, a master’s degree from University of West Georgia, and a bachelor’s degree from Shorter University.

Mr. Thomas was the manager of Electric and Gas Engineering and Operations at Dalton Utilities from 2008-10 before becoming chief energy services officer. He previously served in the U.S. Navy as electrical division officer on the USS Carl Vinson in Newport News, Va., and as gunnery division officer and damage control division officer on the USS Thomas S. Gates in Pascagoula, Ms. He received his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University. Mr. Thomas’ military training consisted of entry level officer leadership training, 30 hours of basic management training, security, offensive personal confrontations and crowd control. 

"Georgia Northwestern’s board serves both in a community advisory capacity and in a limited administrative capacity, performing certain oversight responsibilities as designated by State Board policy. The local board is comprised of 16 members from the business and industrial communities from nine counties in the service area (Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Murray, Polk, Walker, and Whitfield counties). State Board Policy defines the role and responsibilities of the local board. Board members are selected because of their experience, ability, and dedication to deal with issues that relate to the mission of occupational education and are without contractual, employment, or personal financial investment in the school," officials said.