ROCK SPRING, Ga. — His last name sounds regal but Jeff King, new interim president at Northwestern Technical College, said he is humbled by his new position.
Mr. King is taking the place of longtime college president Dr. Ray Brooks, who held the position for 22 years and championed much of the school’s growth. He stepped down to take a job as president of Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, S.C.
“Dr. Brooks is one of the most moral and passionate people,” Mr. King said. “I really respected Ray probably more than anybody I’ve ever worked with.”
Dr. Brooks and Mr. King first worked together in the ’80s when they were both instructors at the college, then called Walker County Area Vocational-Technical Institute, Mr. King said.
About two weeks into his new job, Mr. King said he is working with most of the same people he has over the last decade as vice president of administrative services. In that position, he was in the business office in charge of fiscal issues. He was also in charge of maintenance, he said.
The Trion, Ga., native said being from Northwest Georgia and working closely with Dr. Brooks since 1993 have prepared him for interim responsibilities.
“Ray included me in a lot of things over the years,” he said. “I’m not saying I knew what to expect, because I didn’t.”
School spokesman Don Foley said Mr. King’s experience shows his dedication to Northwest Georgia.
Mr. King said he loves serving the community. He said it brings a tear to his eye when he sees someone who has just been laid off a job make the choice to go back to school and have the hope for change.
“To be a part of that is an honor,” he said.
Ron Jackson, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, will be in charge of the search for a permanent president.
Mr. King said he wants to think about keeping the school operating smoothly, not looking for the full-time post. “It is so early, I’d really rather focus on what I’m doing,” he said.
Mike Light, spokesman for the technical college system, said Commissioner Jackson has not set a time table the search.
“You don’t rush to replace a president of the stature and legacy of Dr. Brooks,” he said.
For now, Mr. King anticipates some challenges.
“Dr. Brooks was here so long he was able to make decisions ... in a rather timely fashion,” Mr. King said. “I know that I’m going to have to look at things. I want to be sure to look at the big picture.”
Mr. Foley said Mr. King is not so different from the man he admires.
“He’s like Dr. Brooks in one way in particular. When you see his excitement build for a project, it’s contagious. You get excited, as well. That’s something that’s a must for the person who is leading close to 200 employees and 2,300 students.”
