In June 2010, Coosa Valley Technical College’s (CVTC) Foundation and Northwestern Technical College’s (NTC) Foundation merged to become Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) Foundation, Inc. The merger be-came official through the Georgia Secretary of State in early August.Shortly after, GNTC’s Foundation held a board meeting where new officers were elected.

Louise Smith was appointed chair. Smith has served on the NTC Foundation Board since 2005. Prior to being ap-pointed to the Foundation, Smith served on the college’s Board of Directors for 10 years and served as chairman. She retired as vice president of Life and Health from Flegal Insurance, Inc.

Jay LeGrande was appointed vice-chair. LeGrande has served on the CVTC Foundation Board since 1997. He has also served on the college’s Board of Directors for 11 years and was chairman for two. He retired from Piedmont Furniture, a family business that he owned and operated for many years.

Ronnie Wallace was appointed treasurer. Wallace is a new trustee to the Foundation Board. Prior to the Founda-tion, he served as the director of GNTC’s Business Expansion Center. He currently serves as the executive vice president of Heritage First Bank.

Diane Manis was appointed secretary. Manis is a new trustee to the Foundation Board. She currently serves as the president/owner of Scott Logistics Corporation, a significant donor to the Foundation.The Foundation was es-tablished to encourage private contributions in order to build and maintain outstanding academic programs at the college. Donations to the Foundation support areas of institutional need including scholarships to deserving students, equipment purchases, materials for the library, and staff development.

In Fiscal Year 2010, the Foundation provided financial aid assistance to 88 students, totaling $17,133.86.“We have a lot of successes at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, and the successes that we have are because of the support we get from our Board members, Foundation Board of Trustees, GNTC faculty and staff, and the people in the communities we serve,” commented Dr. Craig McDaniel, GNTC president.

GNTC currently has 16 members serving as Foundation Board Trustees. The members include Jim Ingram, Dave Gilbert, Shirley Smith, Ronnie Wallace, Jay LeGrande, Carolyn Walker, Carlton Wheeler, Gary Downey, Phil Brown, Jason Winters, Louise Smith, Doris White, Diane Manis, William R. Thompson Jr., Don Townsend, and Ralph White.