Valdosta Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees and volunteers gathered for a campaign kick-off breakfast Monday on the college campus. The event set the tone for the campaign, and over the course of the week, trustees and volunteers will solicit area business leaders in order to raise money for the foundation.

Foundation contributions directly benefit students in need through the Emergency Student Assistance Fund, GED testing scholarships and privately funded scholarships. Donations used to purchase program equipment is matched by the state through the Tech State Matching Grant.

The Board of Trustees is led by many community leaders, including Bob Ator, Jeana Beeland of CJB Industries Inc., Joe Belson of Metis Planning, James Bridges, retired Val Tech president, Steve Burton of Burton Realty & Auction Inc., Rep. Amy Carter of Lowndes High School, Byron Courson of Valdosta Insurance Services Inc., David Durland of First State Bank & Trust Co., Walt Gill of Pinnacle Prime Contractors Inc., Kirk Hand of Cook County Ford Inc., Butch Houston of Houston & Company, board chairman Tim Jones of Citizens Community Bank, Damaris Lane, Jim Langdale of Langdale Forest Products, Brad Lofton of Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority, Terry McGahee of AT&T, Simmie McNeal of BASF Inc., Sidney Morris, Scott Orenstein of Pinnacle Prime Contractors Inc., Jim Respess of WRD Inc., Randy Sauls of SGMC, Jason Shaw of Shaw Insurance Services, Bill Slaughter of Waller Heating & Air Conditioning, Tim Tanner of Coleman Talley LLP, Attorney Charlie Wetherington, John Whitehead of the City of Valdosta, and campaign chairwoman, Cynamon Willis of Ambling Companies Inc.

Campaign volunteers were recruited by trustees to attend a half-day training and learn about the mission and history of Valdosta Tech and the foundation. Volunteers will visit local businesses on behalf of the Board of Trustees to raise money for the foundation. Volunteers include Nick McKay of Valdosta Insurance Services Inc., Travis Hill of First State Bank & Trust Co., Pasty Permenter of First State Bank & Trust Co., Brooke Ragan of Gill Property Management, Sandy Hayden of Southern Landing Homes, Chuck Roberts of Smith Northview Hospital, Pam Long of Smith Northview Hospital, Jared Renfroe of Ameris Bank; Eddie Strom of Ameris Bank, City Councilman John Eunice of Coca-Cola Company, Patty Burkett of Pinnacle Prime Contractors Inc., Tim Brogdon of SGMC, Andree Shackelford of SGMC, Lydia Giddens of Farmers & Merchants Bank, Connie Norton, and Josh Slaughter of Waller Heating & Air Conditioning.

For more information about the Valdosta Tech Foundation, contact Kathryn Terrell at (229) 293-6190.