Pennie Eddy has been named Lanier Tech’s Rick Perkins Award winner for 2019 for her work as director and instructor for the college’s accounting program.

The Rick Perkins Award is given annually by the Technical College System of Georgia to the outstanding instructor of the year. Each of the system’s 22 colleges selected a winner, who will now compete in one of three regional competitions in March.

From each region, three representatives are then selected for the overall state competition, which will be held in April at a TCSG leadership conference.

“Pennie exemplifies the kind of teacher we pride ourselves in at Lanier Technical College,” President Dr. Ray Perren said in a press release. “She not only engages and trains her students in the classroom, but also brings a healthy background of industry knowledge and experience. We know she will make Lanier Tech proud as she moves forward in this competition.”

Eddy began at Lanier Teach as an adjunct instructor before taking on a full-time teaching role.

Eddy has 13 years of experience as an accounting instructor in the Technical College System of Georgia and more than 16 years of experience as an accounting manager and certified professional accountant. 

She was selected for the inaugural I-Lead Leadership training program at Lanier Technical College and serves as an adviser for Skills USA — a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. 

“I know that the faculty and staff of the Technical College System of Georgia match the needs of today’s employers with today’s workforce by providing hands-on training,” she said. “It’s about today’s needs, and the TCSG is perfectly positioned to respond to those needs; that’s what sets us apart.”