Piedmont Tech President Dr. Ray Brooks has announced that he will postpone his plans to retire next year so he can continue work on several key initiatives involving Piedmont Technical College.
One of these —a project that has been in the planning stages for some time—is the college’s new Upstate Center for Manufacturing Excellence. This was made possible when the citizens of Greenwood County recently voted in November to pass the Capital Project Sales Tax ballot measure by a large margin. Brooks said “We will now be able to make the Upstate Center for Manufacturing Excellence a reality.” He added, “This facility will present us with some great opportunities to move the college forward in the coming years.”
Noting he believes the team at PTC is capable and prepared to successfully complete this project, he said he made commitments during the recruitment phase to a new company that has recently decided to locate one of their manufacturing facilities in Greenwood County. In addition to the new training facility, those commitments included new programs and services that the college would provide. Ray Brooks added, “During the recruitment process many of us became personally acquainted with members of the team that was associated with the company’s decision.” He added “Because of my involvement, I feel a personal obligation and responsibility to see this project through to completion.” So he’s asked the college’s Area Commission to postpone his retirement date until the college fulfills these commitments. They agreed.
“This is a very exciting time for Piedmont Technical College,” said Brooks. “I personally look forward to being a part of this 51st year of transforming lives and the communities in our region.”
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