A South Georgia native who went on to become the first leader of what is now known as Lanier Technical College has died. John H. Lloyd Jr. “was a pioneer for the Technical College System of Georgia and he had an impact on many of those currently in the system and those of us who have retired, like me,” said Russell Vandiver, who stepped down as Lanier Tech president in March after a nearly 37-year career at the Oakwood-based school. “John was a friend and deserves a lot of the credit for Lanier Technical College becoming the outstanding institution it is today.”