May 2006
Volume 6 Issue 3
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In this issue:
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Director's MessageCathy Brock, Director of GVTC  As the new Director for the Georgia Virtual Technical College, I am excited to be sending this quarter's issue of Velocity. This issue spotlights an exciting technical certificate of credit from West Central Technical College (WCTC) in Small Business Management. This program trains students to become owners or operators of small businesses. Marcus Aldridge, who is a student in the Small Business Management program, has been interviewed for this issue. In his interview, Marcus explains how online learning helps him to achieve his dream of being a small business owner. We have also interviewed and spotlighted two of the program's instructors: George Gannage, Jr. and Bill Sewell, Jr. Read about their careers as entrepreneurs and discover how their real-world experience benefits their students. Amy Steadham, West Central's GVTC Coordinator, has also been spotlighted in this issue of Velocity. Amy wears many hats at WCTC including coordinator, webmaster, and trainer.We hope you enjoy reading this quarter's newsletter. I look forward to the future and GVTC's continued success, which would not be possible without your support. Student Marcus Aldridge: Online Learning Helps Him Achieve To graduate from this program, students take all six classes (32 credit hours) online: Introduction to Marketing, Business Law, Fundamentals of Selling, Advertising, Entrepreneurship, and Small Business Management. These six classes emphasize essential skills that a small business owner or manager needs such as marketing, management, organizational, and financial skills. The SBM certificate is not just for new or budding entrepreneurs to gain the skills required to own or operate a small business; the Small Business Management certificate is also a way for current small business owners to stay current in today's changing world, which can mean the difference between success and failure. In addition, this program also offers an excellent first step to completing the Marketing Management diploma or degree. To discover more about this program, access http://www.westcentral.org/academics/small_business_management_certificate.asp Mr. Gannage's private industry experience has included several positions in marketing, sales and management. Prior to being in the education field, Mr. Gannage was employed by the 3M Company where he held positions as a marketing distributor representative, promotion manager and sales representative. When employed in the publishing business, Mr. Gannage held the titles of both adverting manager and account manager. Mr. Sewell has been in post-secondary education for four years. He became a Certified Online Instructor in 2004, and he is currently the Chairman of the Online Committee of West Central Technical College. Mr. Sewell uses a multitude of Internet resources for both online- and classroom-based courses. Mr. Sewell earned the Executive MBA from the prestigious Goizueta Business School at Emory University. The program he completed was rated by US News and World Report as being in the top five Executive MBA programs in the world, which continues to be one of the top MBA programs in the world today. Mr. Sewell earned his B.S. Marketing from Auburn University. After completing his undergraduate degree, he worked for Sewell Mfg. Co., a family menswear manufacturing company located in Bremen, Georgia. After selling the family business, Mr. Sewell went into small business and owned/operated Professional Collection Service in Columbus, Georgia. After transforming that company, Mr. Sewell performed marketing and promotional duties at McClure Broadcasting also in Columbus. Mr. Sewell was later hired by Sony Music in Carrollton, Georgia as a Senior Financial Analyst. Shortly after the music factory closed, Mr. Sewell joined the faculty at West Central Technical College. Mrs. Steadham's education includes two Associate Degrees from West Central Technical College in Secretarial Science and CIS Internet Specialist - Web Site Design. Summer Quarter |
Mr. George Gannage Jr., WCTC Instructor, has been in post-secondary education for over five years. His teaching experience has included both four-year and two year colleges. Mr. Gannage has earned his BBA in Marketing, MA in Marketing and Advertising and is currently working on his PhD in International Business. He has co-authored textbooks and corporate training manuals and has recently participated in the post-secondary council for Delta Epsilon Chi, a national marketing management student organization. Mr. Gannage currently holds the position as Georgia DEX State Executive Director.
Bill Sewell Jr. has extensive knowledge in the Small Business Management field. He is an entrepreneur himself and currently owns and operates West Georgia Beverages LLC, dba Standpipe Liquor located in Buchanan, Georgia. He brings real world experience to his students from a highly-regulated industry.
Mrs. Amy Steadham has been in post-secondary education for twelve years. She held positions in the Adult Education, Continuing Education, and the Economic Development departments before accepting the position of GVTC coordinator in the fall of 2003. Mrs. Steadham also currently holds the positions as the WCTC Webmaster and Computer Trainer for Professional Development. |
Georgia Virtual Technical College
http://www.gvtc.org