Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) announced at the June board meeting that Randall Fox and Todd Murphy will serve as chair and vice chair of the college’s board of directors beginning in July 2012.

Fox joined the board as a Gordon County representative in 2005. He is the president and general manager of Fox Systems, Inc. Fox will serve a two year term as GNTC’s board chair.

Having employed many graduates from GNTC at his company, Fox said having skilled workers is vital to communities.

“GNTC is a tremendous asset to northwest Georgia and I believe we will continue to train and better prepare our students to excel in the workforce,” he said. “GNTC and all the technical colleges in Georgia play a vital role in workforce development and are an essential part of Georgia’s ability to compete in a world industrial market.”

Craig McDaniel, GNTC president, said Fox would provide great leadership for the board.

“Randall has been a very vocal ambassador for Georgia Northwestern and has created opportunities for our college through his generosity and influence,” he said.

Fox said he’s looking forward to leading GNTC’s board of directors into the next two years.

“I consider serving Georgia Northwestern one of the most rewarding positions in our community,” he said. “I am thankful and honored to be asked to serve in this capacity.”

Murphy, who was appointed to GNTC’s board as a Polk County representative in 2006, is a native of Rome, Ga. He has worked at the HON Company in the Cedartown facility since 1995. He has held various engineering and manufacturing management positions and is the vice president of manufacturing.

Murphy says he is looking forward to serving the college as vice chair of the board for two years and then moving into the position of chair.

“GNTC does a great job of understanding business and industry needs and preparing students for successful careers or further academic studies,” Murphy said. “I am honored to serve in a leadership role on the GNTC board of directors and look forward to working with the board, faculty and staff to meet the needs of citizens, communities and companies in our service area.”

McDaniel said Murphy has a strong commitment to workforce development and GNTC.

“Todd has led the HON Company to unparalleled growth and has allowed Georgia Northwestern and the Georgia Quick Start program the opportunity to be a part of HON’s success.”

Also at the June meeting, Scott Tucker, current chair, was honored for his service to the college. Tucker, president and CEO of United Community Bank of Chattooga County, will retire from his duties as chair June 30, but will remain on the board as a member.

When asked about Tucker’s leadership as chair, McDaniel said,

“Scott has provided excellent leadership to our board and college,” he said. “His guidance as we went through the merger and beyond was critical to the success we enjoy today. I will forever be indebted to Scott Tucker.”

GNTC’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 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).