ATHENS, GA –
Athens Technical College is pleased to share that Phil Bettendorf has been named the new Chair of the College Board of Directors, and Tony Ferguson will serve as Vice Chair. With their leadership, the college looks forward to continuing its commitment to excellent education, workforce development, and strong community partnerships.
Phil Bettendorf has 32 years of experience in banking and has served on the College Board since 2023. As a former Board Chair of the Athens Tech Foundation, he has shown a strong commitment to student success and the college’s impact in the region. He is currently Senior Vice President at Synovus Bank, working in the consumer banking division across East Georgia, including Athens, Augusta, Statesboro, and Savannah. He earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia and holds a diploma from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.
Since 2013, Bettendorf has served on the executive committee of the Northeast Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He received the William B. Turner Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2015 and the James H. Blanchard Leadership Award in 2018. In 2022, he was honored with the Silver Beaver Award from the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and in 2024, he received the Billy Hudson Distinguished Citizen Award. He is also the chair of the Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center board and serves on the Piedmont Healthcare System board.
As Chair, Bettendorf will help the Board of Directors set strategic goals, support the college’s mission, and build partnerships that create more educational and economic opportunities.
Tony Ferguson will serve as Vice Chair. He joined the College Board in 2024 and has extensive experience in the energy sector, including supply chain management, distribution, transmission, sales, and external affairs. He is currently Georgia Power’s Northeast Region Executive, managing operations in twenty counties in Northeast Georgia.
Ferguson holds a bachelor’s degree in Management and Marketing from North Georgia College and an MBA from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. He is also a Georgia Certified Economic Developer. He has completed several leadership programs, such as LEAD Athens, Leadership Oconee, Leadership Rome, Leadership Columbia Executive, the Georgia Academy for Economic Development, the CSO Leadership Series, and the Georgia Power Leadership Development Council.
As a Vice Chair, Ferguson will work closely with Bettendorf and other colleagues to support projects that benefit students, faculty, staff, and the communities the college serves.
“We are thrilled to have Phil Bettendorf stepping into the role of Chair and Tony Ferguson as Vice Chair,” stated Dr. Andrea Daniel, President of Athens Technical College. “Their
unwavering dedication, diverse experiences, and genuine passion for education make them remarkable leaders. I am eager to collaborate with them as we broaden opportunities for our students and respond to the workforce needs of our region.”
Phil Bettendorf expressed his enthusiasm: “It is a true honor to take on the role of Chair for the Board of Directors. I am dedicated to working alongside my fellow board members and college leadership to ensure that Athens Technical College continues to deliver high-quality education and workforce training that not only transforms lives but also bolsters our communities.”
Tony Ferguson echoed this sentiment, adding, “I am looking forward to supporting the Board’s initiatives and advancing the college’s mission of equipping students for successful careers and encouraging lifelong learning.” The College Board of Directors is responsible for governance and strategic oversight at Athens Technical College, making sure the college meets the educational and workforce needs of the communities it serves.
About Athens Technical College. Serving citizens since 1958 by providing quality educational programs in an 11-county service area. The College offers over 190 program specializations across business, health, technical, and manufacturing. Students attend on three campuses (Athens-Clarke, Elbert, and Walton), online, and through career academies, adult learning centers, and continuing education opportunities. To learn more, visit www.AthensTech.edu.