OAKWOOD — Laura Elder always found herself returning to the state’s technical colleges system.

The 44-year-old Demorest resident, named in October as Lanier Technical College’s vice president of administrative services, has worked in the public and private sectors since her graduation in 1984 from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

She first started in an accounting firm in Athens, and then an oil company, before starting in 1989 as accounting supervisor at Athens Technical College.

Elder went on to North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville in 1995 and later left for Habersham Bank. She then went to work for Lanier Tech in 2005.

"I had in the back of my mind when I left North Georgia Tech that I would always come back to the system," she said.

Elder succeeds longtime administrator Lake Gibson, who is retiring Jan. 31.

"I have some big shoes to fill, definitely," she said of Gibson. "He knows the history of the school and has a very good background for that position, and ... (he) is very well respected."

Lanier Tech president Michael Moye said he has confidence in Elder’s future at the school.

"We’re very pleased to have someone with such an outstanding background filling this very important leadership role," he said. "Laura will be well prepared to take the excellent operational base established by Lake Gibson and move it to the next level."

Elder, who was born and raised in Decatur and had considered music as a career early in life, had served as vice president for administrative services at North Georgia Tech for three years.

That stint occurred before she worked six years at Habersham Bank as internal auditor and then controller.

Elder joined Lanier Tech as budget analyst in May 2005 and became director of administrative services in October 2005.

She also has the benefit of Gibson still at the college while she breaks in her new job.

Gibson is serving as a special assistant to Moye.

"I’ll be picking his brain between now and (Jan. 31) ... and afterward," Elder said.

Elder, who is working in a temporary location until renovation of her offices is completed in January, reflected on her career and its twists and turns among employers.

"When I look at working for a private company, they definitely have their important function and serve the needs of the stockholders and all that," Elder said.

However, "the basic function of what we’re here for is to help people get their education, get to work, support their families and ... better themselves."