Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president (center), welcomes new GNTC Board of Directors members (from left) Melissa Free, Matt Sawhill, Eddie Elsberry and Kristine Godfrey.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) announces the appointments of Eddie Elsberry, Melissa Free, Kristine Godfrey and Matt Sawhill to its Board of Directors. The new members bring a diverse range of experience and expertise to the board, further strengthening GNTC’s commitment to serving the communities within its nine-county service area. Elsberry served on the Chattooga County Board of Education for 18 years, including serving as chairman.

Elsberry’s commitment extends beyond education, as evidenced by his extensive community involvement. He currently serves on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coosa Valley and is a regional board member and local member for Boys and Girls Clubs of Northwest Georgia. He is also the past president of the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce and a member and past chair of the Paradise Garden Foundation Board of Directors. Additional roles include serving on the Chattooga County Health Department board and being a member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee. Notably, Elsberry is an alumnus of GNTC, having studied Industrial Maintenance with an Electrical Specialization. He also holds a degree in Agribusiness from Andrew College. While a student at GNTC, Elsberry was recognized for his leadership potential, becoming a finalist for the prestigious Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL).

The addition of Elsberry, Free, Godfrey, and Sawhill to the Board of Directors signifies GNTC’s continued dedication to providing high-quality technical education and workforce development opportunities to the region.