Chris Hatcher recommended as CEO of new college and career academy

ALBANY — Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission board member Chris Hatcher was recommended to become the first CEO of the new Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy (CCCCA) late Wednesday afternoon at Albany Technical College.

The CCCCA board voted unanimously in favor of the recommendation, which will now go before the Dougherty County School Board for a decision at its meeting Monday evening at Dougherty High School.

“I am excited. (The CCCCA) is a great opportunity for our community and I am thrilled to be a part of it,” Hatcher said.

CCCCA Board Chair Chandu Kuntawala said he believes the board has the best person for the job of leading the new academy.

“Chris has many of the aspects we were looking for in a CEO,” Kuntawala said. “He has a background in business, the EDC as well as in the community. And he is vested in Albany. I absolutely believe we made the right choice to fill the position.”

Hatcher, a native of Albany who graduated from Westover High School, is a product of the Dougherty County School System. He holds a BA in History from the University of Georgia and an Master’s of Business Administration from Georgia State University.

He has extensive professional experience in online technology and health care.

“My career experiences have allowed me to grow as an executive and successfully work with boards of directors to create a vision, develop a strategic plan and achieve the goals and objectives necessary for success,” Hatcher said. “I am a problem-solver who enjoys both the start-up phase of a new enterprise as well as the growth and operational phase of the venture.”

Hatcher, who was selected from a final pool of six candidates for the ACCCC’s CEO position, said he felt growing up in Albany and knowing the region were factors in his favor during the selection process.

“Having grown up in Albany and having attended the Dougherty County School System, I am a strong believer in public education,” he said. My wife and I have been very supportive of our local school system, and I am proud that my oldest son graduated from the DCSS and my other two children attend high school and elementary school in the DCSS.

“I am familiar with some of our local challenges as well as our many assets, and I believe that community support and involvement in the process are critical for success.”

Hatcher said he thinks the CCCCA is a great opportunity for Dougherty County and surrounding communities.

“This new endeavor will allow our students to get a jump start on work skills, help our existing industries that rely on a qualified work force and help us recruit new industries,” he said. “This is an incredible investment in Dougherty and surrounding counties, and I welcome the opportunity to use my qualifications and skill sets to get this initiative off the ground and working for the betterment of our community.”

If approved by the school board on Monday evening, Hatcher’s first task will be finding a principal for the new academy. DCSS Assistant Superintendent and CFO Ken Dyer said the system is already receiving applications for the principal’s position. He added the DCSS Human Resources Department will vet the applicants and offer recommendations to Hatcher. The final decision on the academy’s principal, however, will rest with with DCSS School Board.