From STAFF REPORTS

AMERICUS — Chase Shannon of Preston has been selected as the new full-time diesel equipment Technology instructor at South Georgia Technical College (SGTC), announced SGTC President John Watford, Ed.D. He will report to SGTC Dean David Finley and SGTC Vice President of Academic Affairs David Kuipers.
Shannon received an associate of applied science in agriculture in 2005, from Southwest Georgia Technical College in Thomasville. He has 16 years of employment experience and has worked as a diesel mechanic with McCranie Tractor Co. and Albany Tractor Co. He also worked as a Communications Equipment officer with the Georgia State Patrol and most recently was employed with the Georgia Forestry Commission as a Ranger 1/Wildland Firefight and Nursery/Seed Orchard technician. Part of his duties with the Georgia Forestry Commission included performing diesel repair and mechanic operations for farm equipment/commercial vehicles.
He is the son of Patricia Shannon of Preston and Chris and Bebe Shannon of Webster County.
“Chase Shannon brings a wealth of knowledge to the South Georgia Technical College Diesel Equipment Technology Program. He has been responsible for working in the field on heavy equipment as well as diesel trucks and that practical experience will be an asset to our students,” said President Watford. “We welcome him to South Georgia Technical College and look forward to seeing him grow the Diesel program.”
Diesel equipment technology is designed to prepare students for careers in the diesel equipment service and repair profession. Students develop academic, technical and professional knowledge and skills required to acquire, retain, and advance in the field.  The program emphasizes a combination of truck, heavy equipment, marine systems and emergency power generator repair theory and practical application. There are also specializations in this field of study.
Diesel service technicians and mechanics are in high demand and the employment outlook is expected to grow 12 percent in the next six years. The average salary for a diesel technician is $45,170 per year.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and the General Assembly have included diesel equipment technology in the HOPE Career Grant program that provides up to an extra $500 per semester in tuition and fees for HOPE grant eligible students. This is for students who enroll in select majors specially aligned with one of the 12 industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them.