ATLANTA — Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson has selected E.J. Harris, the executive vice president at Valdosta Technical College, to be the interim president of East Central Technical College in Fitzgerald.

Current East Central Tech President Ray Perren is leaving the college at the end of the month to become the new assistant commissioner for technical education in the TCSG’s Atlanta headquarters.

Harris will become the interim president on June 1.

“E.J. Harris is a highly capable and proven administrator who’ll provide outstanding leadership for East Central Tech until the next president is chosen,” said Jackson. “I thank him for his willingness to follow in Dr. Perren’s footsteps and lead the college’s faculty and staff as they prepare their students for great jobs and exceptional careers.”

Harris has been in his present position with Valdosta Tech since 2003. “I’m so very pleased to be the one called upon by the commissioner to assist the college through this transition,” said Harris. “I’m looking forward to working alongside the great faculty and staff at East Central Tech as we provide the very best in technical education for our number one priority, our students.”

Plans for the process to select a new president for East Central Tech will be announced at a later date.

Valdosta Technical College Interim President Dr. F.D. Toth said, “It has been my pleasure to work with Mr. Harris for the last five months. He is a competent and experienced technical college educator that I admire and respect. East Central Technical College is most fortunate to have E.J. to lead them through this transition.”