Development Authority of LaGrange

10/09/2026

https://lnkd.in/p/e2ebe5eu

Thank you to T. Scott Malone and Kelley Bush for inviting our students to the West Georgia Manufacturing Day event last week!

10/07/2026

Well done, Brandon Evans! We are proud of your hard work and success, and know your future is VERY bright!

Troup High student Brandon Evans overcame credit challenges to become an aviation component maintenance technician at Fokker Services in LaGrange.

09/30/2026

Today’s Student Success Story is Brandon Evans, of Fokker Services Group.

Brandon’s story an example of what success can look like if we invest in our young people with intention, and most important, with commitment and high expectations. We are thrilled to feature Brandon and celebrate his success!

From Summer Student to Successful Technician: A Troup County Success Story

When Brandon Evans joined Fokker Services as a Work Based Learning student from Troup County High School during the summer before his senior year, he was taking his first steps toward a career in aviation. Starting in the company's Cleaning Department, Brandon quickly learned that transitioning from school to a professional work environment came with challenges.

Like many young people entering the workforce for the first time, Brandon faced obstacles as he adapted to workplace expectations and responsibilities. However, his positive attitude, strong character, and friendly personality caught the attention of several experienced employees who saw his potential. These mentors invested their time and energy in helping him develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed.

With determination and the support of those who believed in him, Brandon overcame those early challenges and continued to grow both personally and professionally. Today, he is a successful and productive Aviation Component Maintenance Technician who has earned the respect of his peers and supervisors through his commitment to quality and continuous improvement.

Brandon is on track for promotion to Senior Technician soon, a recognition of his technical abilities, work ethic, and professional growth. His performance and dedication indicate a bright future in the aviation industry, and he continues to serve as an excellent example of what can be accomplished through hard work, perseverance, and the opportunities provided by Work Based Learning programs.
Brandon's journey demonstrates that success is not always about where you start, but about your willingness to learn, grow, and embrace opportunities along the way. His story is an inspiration to current and future students who aspire to build rewarding careers through hands-on learning and workforce development programs.

09/29/2026

We are running late today, but our wonderful Student Success Story more than makes up for it!

We are very proud to feature Ty’Asia Rhodes, a Senior at the Troup County Career Center, TC3, and a work-based-learning student at Kia Georgia, Inc.!

Ty’Asia is a valuable member of the Scanning Team, and her contributions have helped her gain valuable time-management skills, confidence, and employability skills that will support her future success. Her teacher and mentor, Tanulyn Peoples-McKinley, praises her work ethic and her professional growth during her employment at KIA.

We know that the Kia Georgia team is equally proud of her and know she has great things in store for her future! Great job, Ty’Asia! We are happy to celebrate you and your success!

09/28/2026

Today’s we are proud to share the Student Success Story of Austin Hanner, Fokker Services Group. Austin’s story not only highlights his incredible progress at Fokker, but also the importance of industry creating the opportunities for and

Jeff Matthews created the apprenticeship model to grow local talent, with a focus on strategic identification of key soft skills and aptitudes. His initial cohort was recruited from the Callaway High School BIG Lunch Initative, born out of our Business and Education Summit.

Austin was a member of the initial Callaway cohort and was featured as part of last year’s MFG Day. His hard work and willingness to learn, provided opportunities for promotion. and last year he was actively preparing for his Master Technician exam. This year, we are celebrating his achievement of Master Technician and promotion to Process Engineer! Congratulations Austin!

From Fokker: From Student to Process Engineer: Callaway Graduate Finds Success at Fokker Services

When Austin Hanner joined Fokker Services as a Work Based Learning student during his senior year at Callaway High School, he was looking for an opportunity to gain real-world experience while completing his education. What followed became an outstanding example of how determination, hard work, and career-focused education can open doors to success.

After graduating from Callaway High School, Austin accepted a full-time position as an aviation technician with Fokker Services. Through his commitment to excellence and continuous learning, he quickly advanced through the organization, earning promotions to Senior Technician and later Master Technician, all before his 21st birthday.

In August of this year, Austin achieved another major milestone when he was selected for a Process Engineer position. In his new role, he is responsible for overseeing critical work processes to ensure repairs and operations are performed correctly and comply with strict regulatory and customer requirements.

Austin's rapid career progression demonstrates the value of Work Based Learning programs and the opportunities they create for students to transition directly from the classroom into rewarding professional careers. His success serves as an inspiration to current and future High School students, proving that dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to learn can lead to exceptional achievements at a young age.

09/25/2026

As part of our MFG Day in 2025, we highlighted students in manufacturing and related fields. Our Student Success Stories were so popular, we added them as a regular component to our annual event. Today, we are thrilled to feature our first student!

Ayden Knight is a Senior at Troup High School, and a Work Based-Learning student employed at Hyundai Transys Georgia Powertrain, since April 2025.

As part of the Quality Control Team, Ayden has hands-on experience across production, materials and quality processes, becoming a valued member of the Quality Team. His supervisor, Casonia, shared that his contributions have been valuable and made a difference during his employment.

Work-based-learning provided exposure to manufacturing equipment, technology, measurement tools, technical drawings and process controls, developing technical skills that are transferable across sectors.

We are very proud of Ayden’s achievements at Hyundai-Transys Georgia Powertrain! He has a bright future ahead, with the career confidence and technical skills gained from his experience.

02/06/2026

Congratulations, Ozzy! A wonderful young man and leader. So proud to know you and celebrate your success at KIA and TC3!