MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. -- What initially began as a vision and potential partnership nearly 10 years ago is now a reality. Albany Technical College opened the doors to its Logistics Education Center during a ceremony at the school, June 14.
Marine Corps Logistics Command, Maintenance Center Albany and ATC have cultivated a working partnership that has lasted for several years.
“From the time MCA has been at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, our technical college graduates have gone on to work in various civilian occupations,” said Dr. Anthony Parker, president, ATC. “If you think about what they do, repairing and modernizing military equipment, they need individuals with technical skills, which we offer.”
Parker said the new facility also has a lot of digital and online focuses to accommodate the Marines. The auditorium, computer classroom and the conference training center are purposely built for their associates degree in logistics education, which is designed to help employ and train employees at MCA and other areas on the base.
“Recently, we had a Marine captain that taught a logistics course online and another Marine was able to take the course while she was serving in Afghanistan,” he said. “The inspiration came after 9/11, when we wanted to help the base support and train new employees.”
Col. Terence Reid, commander, MCA, served as one of the speakers, and said as a member of the ATC board of directors, he has seen firsthand the deliberate actions, purpose and commitment to the base. The new logistics education building further strengthens ties between the base and the community.
“At Marine Corps Logistics Command and MCA, we are excited to continue our collaboration with ATC,” he said. “Their focus on logistics education and other careers benefits both the graduates here and the entire region. Our common interest, the development of an innovative and professional logistics workforce, brings us together to share our knowledge and multiply our talents.”
Reid said the new center exemplifies ATC’s enduring commitment to its students, graduates and the community.
“Just last year we wanted to add a Lean Six Sigma continuous process improvement curriculum to the existing program,” he said. “Dr. Parker and his staff willingly answered the call and we are currently using it. They help us maintain our workforce and we are excited to continue our collaboration with ATC.”
Dougherty County Commission Chairman Jeff Sinyard said the area’s young people will have opportunities to grow and stay in this community because of the big difference this facility will make in Albany.
Echoing those sentiments, Albany Mayor Dr. Willie Adams said the next time Base Realignment and Closure comes around, this type of partnership will be hard to ignore.