Retirement announced for Elrod by TTC
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“It was an extensive search, and the search committee had to make a difficult choice among a number of well-qualified candidates,” said Technology Center director Dr. Abraham Pallas. “I am pleased with the decision they made.”
For the past 19 years, Garrison has been employed at Arnold Engineering Development Center near Tullahoma. While there he worked in public affairs, management publications, quality management and employee and organizational development.
He is a native of McMinnville and graduated from Warren County High School and the University of Tennessee, where he earned his master’s degree in technological and adult education.
Garrison and his family reside in Viola where he is an alderman and the community’s vice-mayor. His wife, Nancy, is a teacher and his son, Jesse, is a student, both at Warren County Middle School. He said his new job will be a sort of homecoming for him.
His biggest responsibility at the Technology Center will be assisting students, from recruitment to helping graduates find job placements in local industry and everything in between, including financial aid.
Pallas described Elrod as the “dean of student services” for the entire state, as he has held the position almost as long as the local Technology Center has been in existence. He estimated Elrod has assisted between 15,000 and 20,000 students.
“I have some huge shoes to fill,” said Garrison, “but Norman is already easing me into a whole new world. I look forward to learning from him over the next month. I just ask everyone to be patient.”