College president Michael F. Vollmer has been appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue as the new commissioner of the Department of Technical and Adult Education (DTAE) effective Oct. 1, replacing Ken Breeden.
The DTAE board voted last week to confirm the appointment of Vollmer, the president of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. He will assume the responsibility for running Georgia’s growing network of 35 technical colleges that provide a higher education alternative and job training for thousands of post-secondary students.
"Georgia's technical and adult education system is a key component of economic and community development in our state," Perdue said. "Mike's experience and commitment to quality education will further DTAE's mission to help Georgians improve their skills, advance their careers, and achieve their dreams."
Vollmer, 54, has been the ABAC president since 2001 and before that was executive director of the Office of Education Accountability under then-governor Roy Barnes. He previously was head of the Office of School Readiness and was the first executive director of the HOPE Scholarship Program under former governor Zell Miller, where he helped develop the nationally acclaimed program that provides tuition assistance to college students who maintain a B average.
"I sincerely appreciate the board members of the Department of Technical and Adult Education and Governor Perdue giving me this special opportunity of serving as the next commissioner," Vollmer said. "Creating a trained and educated workforce for the 21st century will be a key ingredient for the future prosperity of our state."
Breeden, who retired in June after nearly 20 years as DTAE commissioner, was a key figure in converting a loose collection of vocational schools into a network of technical colleges that has been a significant force in upgrading the state’s workforce. Enrollment at DTAE institutions has increased for more than 50 consecutive quarters.
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