The president of one technical college in Georgia and vice presidents of two others have been named as finalists to become the next president of Lanier Technical College.

A selection committee named Joanne Tolleson, vice president of institutional effectiveness and operations at Lanier Tech; Jamie Loyd, vice president of economic development at Columbus Technical College in Columbus; and Ray Perren, president at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in Valdosta, as finalists.

Six candidates were interviewed to replace Russell Vandiver, who is retiring at the end of March after 37 years at Lanier Tech, including the last three as president.

Roger Slaton, agent and owner of State Farm Insurance in Dawsonville, chaired the selection committee.

“A large amount of candidates applied to the (Technical College System of Georgia) commissioner’s office in Atlanta, and the candidates given to the selection committee were all from in state,” said Slaton.

The Lanier Tech search committee interviewed all six in a one-day marathon to select three to go back to the TCSG commissioner for a final decision, he said.

“We interviewed good people who wanted to be president of Lanier Tech,” said Slaton.

The committee was given the responsibility to follow a list of required qualifications from the state.

“Most were doctoral candidates,” said Slaton.

Slaton said the presidency of Lanier Tech is a prestigious job, and that it was a pleasure to participate.

“It was an excellent example of information and education for me on how a decision is made (in the selection process).”

TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson will interview the three candidates next week. The final choice must then be approved during the TCSG state board’s monthly meeting April 4 in Atlanta.

“I want to thank Roger Slaton and his fellow committee members for the time and effort they put forth to help in the selection process for the next president of Lanier Technical College,” Jackson said.

Other selection committee members included: Doug Carter, president and broker of Don Carter Realty Co., Gainesville, and member of the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia; Kit Dunlap, president and CEO of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce; Gwen Hill, owner of Hill’s Ace Hardware and Lumber in Winder; Lynn Jackson, administrator of Northside Hospital-Forsyth and member of the Lanier Tech board of directors; Tracy L. Moon Jr., partner in the law firm of Fisher and Phillips LLP in Atlanta and member of the Lanier Tech Foundation board of trustees; and Dennis Stockton, publisher of The Times.