Statement of Governor Sonny Perdue Regarding the Retirement of Dr. Kenneth Breeden, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the retirement of Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education (DTAE) Commissioner Dr. Kenneth Breeden:

"I want to sincerely thank Dr. Kenneth Breeden for nearly 20 years of committed service to the people of Georgia. The Department of Technical and Adult Education and our state will miss his vision and leadership.

"Commissioner Breeden has overseen the state's system of technical colleges, the adult literacy program, and a variety of economic and workforce development programs, including Georgia 's internationally recognized Quick Start program.

"Under his direction, his agency has provided a unified system of technical education, customized business and industry training, and adult education with programs that use the best available technology and offer easy access to lifelong education and training for all adult Georgians and corporate citizens.

"Due to his expertise, significant achievements have been made at the Department of Technical and Adult Education."

Commissioner Breeden announced his retirement to Governor Perdue on January 6, 2004 . He is scheduled to retire on June 30, 2004.

As the only commissioner of the DTAE since its creation almost 20 years ago, Commissioner Breeden took a loose assortment of independent trade and vocational schools and created a system of technical colleges that is prepared to provide the training and workforce development needs for Georgia in the 21 st century. The people of Georgia have recognized the value of these technical colleges, and that has resulted in more than 50 consecutive quarters of record enrollment growth.

Dr. Breeden's vision for technical colleges has made them a key component in the growth and development of Georgia 's business and industry. Local partnerships between colleges and businesses have resulted in the flexible and responsive development of training programs to quickly meet the fast-changing needs of industry. The state's technical colleges and Georgia Quick Start have become a key incentive for attracting new investment to the state.

"I want to thank Governor Perdue for the leadership and support for technical education that he has shown, and it has been an honor to serve under him," Dr. Breeden said. "I am confident that moving into the future our Technical College System, adult literacy and workforce training programs will continue to grow and contribute their services that are so essential for the prosperity of Georgia."

Over the years, Dr. Breeden has served on a variety of boards and commissions such as the Governor's Education Reform Study Commission, the Education Coordinating Council, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, National Council of State Directors of Community Colleges, the Board of Visitors of the Community College of the Air Force, Board of the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, and the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

He has an extensive and diverse background in leadership and management positions in a variety of business, education and professional organizations. His business experience includes positions with Bell & Howell Company, Infocybernetics Incorporated, Western Electric Company and Westinghouse. In education, he was the President of DeVry Institute of Technology and Lanier Technical College.

Commissioner Breeden has been recognized many times throughout his successful career. He was a recipient of Georgia State University 's Distinguished Alumni Award, the Georgia Vocational Association's Educator of the Year Award, and Entrepreneur magazine's Education Leadership Award. In 2003, he became the first state official to win the Georgia Excellence in Public Service Award, presented by the University of Georgia 's Carl Vinson Institute of Government in partnership with Georgia Trend magazine. He has also been named numerous times as one of Georgia Trend's "Most Influential Georgians" (the latest being January 2004).

Commissioner Breeden received a Doctorate of Educational Leadership degree from Georgia State University, a Master's of Electrical Engineering degree from Georgia Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from Georgia Institute of Technology.