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Lanier Tech President Mike Moye will leave his post of eight years this month to become president of Central Georgia Technical College in Macon.
Lanier Technical College President Mike Moye will leave his post of eight years this month to become president of Central Georgia Technical College in Macon.
The Technical College System of Georgia’s state board unanimously approved Commissioner Ron Jackson’s selection of Moye at a Thursday 1 p.m. board meeting held in Atlanta.
Russell Vandiver, Lanier Tech’s vice president of economic development, will become interim president.
Moye, who will replace Flora Tydings, interim president at Central Georgia Tech, effective Feb. 15, accepted the position amid a round of handshakes and congratulations from board members.
"Gainesville and Hall County have been a wonderful place to live and work," Moye said. "I truly have mixed feelings about going to the Macon area. I’m excited to go to Macon, but I really hate to leave behind such good friends and great colleagues at the college."
At the time of the announcement, Moye still had not officially notified Lanier Tech staff of his departure but word had begun to spread.
"The grapevine is very healthy," he said.
Lisa Maloof, who directs the Barrow County campus of Lanier Tech in Winder, said, "The Winder campus has greatly benefited from Dr. Moye’s leadership. He supported our campus and committed the resources we needed to grow our programs."
Maloof is also excited about the possibilities for growth under Vandiver’s leadreship as Moye’s immediate successor. With efforts under way to boost momentum for a new location campus, Vandiver could help spur along forward motion.
"Russell Vandiver will serve our college well as the interim president," said Maloof. "Mr. Vandiver has an excellent reputation in economic development, both locally and at the state level, and I am sure he will be supportive of our local campus and its needs."
Moye is assuming leadership of the second largest technical college in the state, with nearly 10,000 students enrolled.
"Dr. Moye knows technical education and its importance in developing careers and attracting business," Jackson said. "He’s built Lanier Technical College into a showcase for technical training and innovation through lots of hard work, and I know that he will do the same for Central Georgia Technical College."
Under Moye’s leadership, Lanier Tech saw marked growth of 66 percent. It expanded its two campuses to five, including 18 instructional sites with more than 175 employees. Moye also oversaw the opening of Lanier Tech’s Georgia Center for Innovation in Manufacturing, which provides training in industries using automated manufacturing and robots.
Allyson Summerour, who serves on the Lanier Tech Board of Directors representing Barrow County, said she was proud for Dr. Moye but disappointed he will not longer be leading the charge for a new local campus for Lanier Tech.
"He has especially worked so hard to try to get a campus here," said Summerour. "He has done a great job and has been very, very active in Barrow County and has pushed for Winder and been proud of Winder and what this community has been able to do with Lanier Tech."
Summerour said Moye’s cooperation with the City of Winder and Barrow County, which have been very supportive both financially and space-wise, has been excellent and she is certain Vandiver will continue along the same line.
"I am thrilled that we have someone coming in who is already familiar with the plans we have going on," said Summerour, who acknowledges the growing interest in a new Lanier campus which can provide a conduit for cooperation with the Barrow County School System to further education and economic development through expanded learning opportunities for students as well as development of a more skilled and better educated local workforce to attract new employers and expanding existing operations.
"What is on the horizon will be unbelievable for Barrow," said Summerour.
Vandiver, who has worked for Lanier Tech for more than three decades, will step in immediately. In addition to his work as vice president of economic development, Vandiver also serves as the director of the college’s Center for Innovation in Manufacturing.
No deadline has been set to select Moye’s permanent replacement.
Amanda Woodruff is on staff at the Gainesville Times. LeAnne Akin contributed to this article.
