The state board of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) voted during its monthly meeting on June 2 to appoint Dr. Mark Ivester as the next president of North Georgia Technical College. Ivester, who was recommended for the job by TCSG Commissioner Gretchen Corbin, will succeed Dr. Gail Thaxton who is retiring on July 31, 2016. He will become the college’s sixth president in its 72 year history.
“Mark Ivester has displayed outstanding leadership during his time at North Georgia Tech; he knows the college inside and out and he is the right person to continue its excellent record of service to the students and the community,” said Commissioner Corbin. “He has deep ties with business and industry in the region and understands how technical college students can fulfill workforce development needs.”
Dr. Ivester has served as Vice President for Economic Development at NGTC since 2008. He has served on the college’s executive team for 17 years, including as Vice President of Administrative Services and as Acting President. He has served as an adjunct instructor and since 2011, has been responsible for all Adult Education activities at the college as well as the commercial truck driving and electrical lineman programs.
Prior to joining North Georgia Tech in 1998, Dr. Ivester held leadership positions in private industry. He holds accounting degrees from Young Harris College and West Georgia College, an M.B.A. from Brenau University and an Ed.D. from the University of Georgia.
He serves on the local WIA board with the Georgia Mountain Regional Commission, is a member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA), and serves as president of the Clarkesville Rotary Club.
Dr. Ivester and his wife Eleanor live in Toccoa. They have four adult children.
“It is a privilege to be a part of an organization that changes lives and supports the communities in Northeast Georgia through education and workforce development,” said Dr. Ivester. “I look forward to working with our great faculty and staff to continue the success of our students and our college.”
North Georgia Technical College was founded in Clarkesville in 1944 and is the oldest technical college in the state. It now has three campuses in Clarkesville, Blairsville and Stephens County.
