Business/Industry Representation: GE and Copier Industry
Business/Industry Title: VP Human Resources
Years in Community: Purchased a condo in 2003, full time since 2013
Personal Reflection: "Very excited to be a volunteer in community that has a great opportunity to excel in the state of Georgia’s economic development strategy and become a model community destination for new business development and known for producing a workforce that supports existing business partners."

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Mr. Kludt grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  Upon graduation, Larry spent 2 ½ years in the Army Signal Corp. including a tour of duty in Vietnam as the officer in charge of a crypto logistics unit.  Upon discharge from the army, Larry joined General Electric in the Human Resource Training Program in Milwaukee at the Medical Systems Division.  Larry’s 16 years at GE included four different assignments in four different business units of GE.  In 1989, Larry accepted an assignment as the VP of Human Resources for what became IKON Office Solutions, a $4 billion office products and document management company spending 10 years at IKON.  Additionally, Larry has done management consulting work with various entrepreneurial companies.

In 2013, Larry moved to Reynolds Lake Oconee on a full time basis.  In 2017, he was asked to form a steering committee to apply for a grant offered by the state to create and fund a College and Career Academy.  In competition with other counties, Greene did win a $3million grant used to provide upgraded classrooms and labs for Greene County High School including a new façade on the front of the high school.  The College and Career Academy has created a unique program called, “ The Career Coaching Program” utilizing community volunteers to council  with all high school students regarding appropriate and rewarding careers.  Under this program all high school students will have an opportunity to prepare a career plan in accordance with their interests and skill set which will include the necessary academic courses combined with technical courses in their area of interest and also associated work based learning assignments.

Business/Industry Representation: Retired educator (Gwinnett, Clayton, and Rockdale counties and the Georgia Department of Education)
Business/Industry Title: Associate Superintendent for Instruction (Rockdale County); Assessment Specialist, School and District Effectiveness (Georgia Department of Education)
Years in Community: 10
Personal Reflection: "I am truly excited to be a part of the CCA initiative, and I am 100% confident of its success. I am honored and appreciative to have been appointed by the Board of Education to serve on the GCCA Governance Board. Throughout the process, I have always believed everyone has had what was best for all students and for the future of Greene County at the forefront (if not, I would not be involved in this initiative). I pledge to you my time and commitment to ensure that GCCA is successful. "

Business/Industry Representation: Reynolds, Lake Oconee
Business/Industry Title: President
Years in Community: Worked in Greene County 36 years and lived in Greene full time past 28 years
Personal Reflection: "I am honored to serve on this Board and looking forward to being a part of this new direction."

Business/Industry Representation: Athens Technical College
Business/Industry Title: Vice President of Student Affairs
Personal Reflection: "I am excited about the opportunities that GCCA will bring to the students of Greene County."

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Jennifer Benson serves as Vice President for Career Academies with Athens Technical College, and oversees daily operations at the Walton and Greene County Campuses. Ms. Benson has served in a variety of positions with Athens Technical College since 2001. Her successful history in higher education includes working with Enrollment Management, Orientation Programs, FERPA, International Admissions, and Student Recruitment. She has been responsible for providing leadership in departments including: Admissions, Financial Aid, Registration, Advisement, Assessment, Special Populations, Disability Services, Counseling Services, Career Services, Veteran's Services, Student Activities, WIOA, Tutoring, Retention, Dual Enrollment, Information Technology, and Campus Police.

Ms. Benson believes strongly in technical education and workforce education. Her goal is to help change our communities for the better, one student at a time. Whether a student is seeking a GED, technical certificate, technical college diploma, or an associate degree, Ms. Benson believes that the Technical College System of Georgia is uniquely qualified to provide ongoing training and education to all Georgia citizens.

Business/Industry Representation: Novelis, Manufacturing
Business/Industry Title: HR Director
Years in Community: Has lived in the Lake Area for 12 years, specifically in Greene County 2 years.
Personal Reflection: "I am happy to be a part of the Governance board to help improve the education of our future workforce. "

Business/Industry Representation: UPS – Industry - Logistics and End to End Supply Chain Management
Business/Industry Title: Director Business Development
Years in Community: Life-long resident
Personal Reflection: "I am excited about what the future holds for our children and our community at large…"

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Dwain Evans is currently employed by UPS in Atlanta Georgia, where he serves as the Director of Enterprise Accounts, Retail Sector, developing “Direct to Consumers” sales strategies for National and Global accounts. In addition, he serves as the Director of Sales and Operations for the “House of Jack” (HOJ). The HOJ is a multi-purpose venue, with a team of professionals, providing End to End event planning solutions. He also serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Analyst of the Historic Springfield Baptist Church. Previously, Dwain served as a Process Improvement and Human Resource consultant for Prestige Foods Corporation (PFC).  Prestige Foods specialized in Institutional Food Service and Professional Catering. PFC served a clientele which included county governments, federal agencies, K-12 public schools, K-12 private academies, colleges and universities. Prior to beginning his career with UPS, Dwain served as the Area Operations Manager for the KFC Corporation, directly responsible for the P&L’s of six locations.

Education and Personal History: Mr. Dwain Evans holds a Bachelor Degree of Business Administration from Georgia College and State University with a concentration in Marketing and Logistics. He also received his Strategy Formulation Certification from Georgia State University, specializing in Strategy Development and Execution. He is also Serv-Safe Certified by the National Restaurant Association.

Community Outreach/Service: Mr. Evans served on the board of the Institute for Community and Organizational Development (ICOD) where he was the VP of Business Development. He also served on the Advisory board of the Greensboro Dreamers from its inception until its successful completion. He served on the Boswell Hospital Board, where he helped to prevent closure of this critical service in the community. He served on the Pete Nance Boys and Girls Club board. He served on the Greene County Development Authority. He served as the Vice Chairman of the Greene County Georgia ELOST Committee (Educational Local Option Sales Tax Committee) providing vital oversight to the Board of Education regarding the disbursements of collected taxes. In 2008, Dwain was chosen by the Greene County Chamber of Commerce as its Citizen of the Year for outstanding contributions to Greene County. Currently, Mr. Evans serves as the Vice Chairman of the Greene College and Career Academy and a member of the Historic Springfield Baptist Church Deacon Board. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Business/Industry Representation: St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital
Business/Industry Title: Director of Community Outreach and Admin Services
Years in Community: Born and raised
Personal Reflection: "Very happy and excited to be a part of the GCCA. Looking forward to watching our students become better prepared and working hard to help close the gap on hot in-demand jobs in our area especially those related to healthcare."

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Patrick was named the Chief Human Resources Officer for St. Mary's Health Care System in September 2020.  Beth brings nearly 20 years of progressive experience in the areas of recruiting, Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), employee and labor relations, colleague engagement, community outreach and benefits administration. She began her HR career with Reynolds Lake Oconee in 2002-2012 and joined the St. Mary's Health Care family 2012.  During her tenure with St. Mary's, Beth worked in HR from 2012-2014.  In 2014, Beth was named the Director of Administrative and Support Services position for St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital which she held until her promotion to CHRO for the system.  She is a certified Just Culture trainer and is a Professional in Human Resources (PHR). She earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Georgia College and State University, and a Master's in Health Care Administration from Capella University.

A native of Greene County, Patrick is married to Jeff Patrick, Journeyman Lineman for Rayle EMC, and has two daughters; Heather and Breanna. 

Business/Industry Representation: Camden Homes- Lake Oconee
Personal Reflection: "I am pleased to serve on the GCCA governance board and help connect our children to fulfilling careers."

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Gary Pierotti along with his wife Nancy own and operate Lakeside Custom Builders LLC dba Camden Homes. Nancy and Gary moved to Reynolds Lake Oconee in 1994.

After graduating from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Gary taught high school in Beaver Falls PA for one year.   For the next 30 years he pursued careers in Software Development, Technical Support, Sales and Sales Management all leading up to owning and then selling a software company in 2002. At this point Gary started Camden Homes a residential custom home construction company. This was a natural decisions and passion as he grew up working in my fathers’ construction business during high school and college summers. They assist their clients in designing and building custom homes to the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. Additionally, they are proud to be in a select group of builders authorize to build homes featured in the Reynolds Signature Home Collection.

Their success in the home building business has given them many new opportunities. Gary is a member of our Local, State and National Home Builders Association. He has served as President twice and now help coordinate our support activities between the Greene College & Career Academy and our local Home Builders Association. Gary is a proud member of the Greene College & Career Academy Governance Board.