Holly is a Georgia native who graduated from Brenau University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and continued her education to complete a Master of Science in Nursing. Holly joined the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and began her career path in technical education as an allied health instructor at North Georgia Technical College. Holly spent 13 years as an instructor leading future healthcare providers with many healthcare professional pathways. Holly furthered her career path and joined the TCSG team as an Allied Health Curriculum Program Specialist. Holly acquired 40 Allied Health and Science programs and Public Safety programs as a program specialist. She served on the Georgia Board of Nursing from 2019 to 2021 and has helped lead numerous initiatives to drive the education system. In 2017, Holly transitioned from a Curriculum Program Specialist to an Apprenticeship Specialist and then to the Apprenticeship Manager. After 21 years of serving Georgia in higher education, she moved to Tennessee and became an Assistant Administrator and State Apprenticeship Director for the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Holly is Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at Northeast State Community College.
Blake is a lifelong resident of Tennessee. He came to Northeast State in 2022. He serves the college as the Executive Director of Economic and Workforce Development and as the Director of the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing on the Kingsport Campus. He is also responsible for the Workforce Solutions and Career Services groups of the Northeast State campus in Blountville, Tennessee. Before arriving at Northeast State, he worked as a Senior Training Development Technologist for Eastman Chemical Company. Blake’s background in training is in curriculum and test development for apprenticeships and structured training programs. He is a graduate of two United States Department of Labor Apprenticeships—one as a Maintenance Mechanic and another as an Electrician and Instrumentation Specialist.
Blake holds an A.S. from Walters State Community College in General Education, a B.S. from Tusculum University in Organizational Management, and two master's degrees from Liberty University in Leadership and Education. He also graduated from the State of Tennessee Peace Officers Training Commission and served as a police officer for six years in Tennessee.
Ron serves as the RCAM Technical Coordinator responsible for ensuring the high-tech RCAM equipment and labs are functioning as designed. He has a background in industrial maintenance with consulting experience in both indirect materials management and maintenance planning & scheduling. Ron serves as the project lead for the Tech-Explorer outreach program to regional middle and high schools. Ron has led more than 1,000 students through this catapult project-based learning activity.
Mike is the RCAM Machine Shop Coordinator and Apprenticeship Instructor. He has completed a four-year apprenticeship in machine trades and has twenty-six years of experience in various trade disciplines.
Mike has been with RCAM since 2020. He is grateful to serve Northeast Tennessee by providing high-quality education for machinists in the region. He loves seeing the rewards that both industry and apprentices earn through their training.
Electromechanical Instructor with an extensive background in Industrial construction, Mining controls and power systems, and Industrial Maintenance. His expertise is in Electrical, Mechanical, Instrumentation, and Process control systems. Tim is building and delivering the foundation of our NC3 High School Dual Enrollment program and feels honored to work with such great students; he also provides electrical and instrumentation classes to our area industry partners' apprentices. Tim has come full circle; he was in maintenance, went through our apprenticeship, and is now teaching full-time here at RCAM.
Tim has an A.S. degree in Pre-Teacher Secondary Education from Northeast State, Department of Labor Certificate- Mechatronics Technician, NCCER Certified Instructor, and NC3 Certified Instructor.
Dawn Carter is serving RCAM as the new Apprenticeship Director. She has been with Northeast State for twelve years, previously serving in various student success positions. As Apprenticeship Director, she will coordinate the office's daily operations and support Apprenticeship programs across the college. Dawn has a passion for connecting business and industry groups to the college.
Dawn holds a BBA from King University and a Master’s degree from ETSU in Educational Leadership.
Industry Training and Credentialing Coordinator is an experienced HR professional with a comprehensive understanding of human resources, talent acquisition and daily business operations. Her expertise includes recruitment, hiring processes, benefits administration, training and development, grant development, and building multiple apprenticeship programs. Her knowledge of community partnerships and recruitment strategies has helped to develop a pipeline of diverse, qualified employees and students. She excels with a strong ability to establish professional relationships with individuals at all organizational levels based on approachability, authenticity, and trust. Cindy is Northeast State Community College/RCAM’s current NCCER and MSSC’s Sponsor representative as well as serving on several boards including TN/VA Scholar, Junior Achievement, United Way Vision Employment Council, Tusculum College Kingsport President’s Advisory Council, South Central Kingsport Executive Committee, Bristol VA/TN Network, Women in Manufacturing Local Chapter, Dobyns Bennett High School Work Based Learning Industry Partner, CareerQuest Committee and Sullivan County CTE Advisory Board to name a few.
She holds a BS in Organizational Management and an MA in Education—Adult Concentration from Tusculum University.
Cindy’s passion is seeing the full circle come together between industry and education.
Jo Starling serves as the RCAM Programs and Services Coordinator and collaborates with industry partners to arrange customized industrial training. Jo delivers superior customer service to employers and routinely meets each partner's unique objectives and schedules. She organizes and integrates instructor schedules, maintains employee contracts and hires industrial professionals as instructors for RCAM. Jo supports RCAM with her expert administrative skills and management, industry, and military background. Jo has served the College for over nine years and was the Executive Assistant to the VP of Economic & Workforce Development prior to her current position. Additionally, Jo has held positions as a Merchandise Control Manager in the textile industry as well as positions in Level 5 Logistics & Supply Chain during her eight years of service with the United States Air Force.
Christy came to RCAM after working twenty years in the printing industry. Some of the highlights from her printing career include completing a Lithographic Artist Apprenticeship and working as a systems analyst, computer programmer, and supervisor.
Her current role at RCAM is Business Coordinator, which includes onboarding new customers, proposals, budgets, and managing student grant opportunities. She also works closely with the Department of Labor to register apprentices and help them start their journey.
Whitney serves as the Executive Assistant of Economic and Workforce Development. She is a detail-oriented individual with a background in management and over seven years of experience in an administrative role. She provides administrative support, organizes logistics for special events, and strives to facilitate a collaborative environment with students, business clients, guests, and course participants.
