Chattahoochee Tech President Announces Retirement

Dr. Ron Newcomb, the longtime president of Chattahoochee Technical College, announced he will retire August 31.

Marietta-based Chattahoochee Tech is one of the largest technical colleges in the Peach State, with over 11,000 students enrolled to start classes next week.

Marietta City Schools Superintendent Grant Rivera said he’s had the “privilege” of working with Newcomb in his current role and previous position as chief of staff in Cobb County Schools.

“During that time, he has been committed to supporting K-12 education and established Chattahoochee Tech as an exceptional partner for not only our high school students, but students that are seeking post-secondary (education) opportunities,” Rivera said. “He’s been a pillar in this community and a supporter of public education. I’ve been grateful for both his friendship and his partnership. He’s been invaluable to this community.”

According to Chattahoochee Tech’s media relations team, Newcomb’s successor has not been named yet, and there is no available information about a potential search committee for the position.

In his retirement, Newcomb plans to spend more time reading, traveling and spending time with family and valued friends.

“It’s time. The college is at a great place in terms of enrollment and expansions. The faculty and staff are at the top of their game,” Newcomb said. “... My health is good and there are other interests I’d like to pursue. There will always be just one more thing to do at the college, but it’s a good stopping point for me.”

Newcomb was first employed by North Metro Technical Institute in 1988, which merged with Appalachian Technical College and Chattahoochee Technical College to become one, unified Chatt Tech in 2009. Newcomb, who had been serving as North Metro Tech’s president, was then named provost and executive vice president of the newly merged Chatt Tech, and became the school’s president in 2012.

As president, he led Chattahoochee Tech through the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple regional and program accreditations and various campus and program expansions, according to the college.

While Newcomb was still at North Metro Tech, he was placed on assignment with the Office of Gov. Roy Barnes as commission staff director to the Governor’s Education Reform Study Commission.

Barnes said Newcomb was the “architect” of all educational changes that happened during his time as governor.

That included changing state law to allow technical institutions to call themselves technical colleges, allowing dual enrollment, reducing class sizes and establishing an independent, nonpartisan Education Accountability Office.

Before that, Newcomb served under Gov. Joe Frank Harris, assisting with the Governor’s Education Review Commission, which led to the Quality Basic Education Act in 1985. Newcomb also made his mark on the Jonquil City, serving as a member of the Smyrna City Council from 1991 to 2011.

“He is a bright, bright guy. I know he deserves retirement, but he’s done a wonderful job at Chattahoochee Tech. He’s grown that school and he’s been a stabilizing force in it,” Barnes said. “... He’s a great education mind, a great education leader and he’s done a wonderful job at Chattahoochee Technical College.”