One on One with Trey Sheppard

Trey Sheppard, chair of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) from the 10th Congressional District, is vice president of Howard Sheppard Inc ., a family owned trucking business in Sandersville . Sheppard’s tenure on the TCSG State Board began July 2, 2012 . He became chair in January 2022 . These are edited highlights from an interview .

Tell us about your company, Howard Sheppard.

Howard Sheppard is a family owned trucking company . It is a third generation company . It started in the kaolin industry and has diversified over the last 78 years to do more imports and exports out of the ports of Savannah and Jacksonville . We do a lot of liquid and bulk chemical tank deliveries and currently still do mining for kaolin .

How did you become interested in serving on the TCSG Board?

I am a proud graduate of Technical College System of Georgia . Once I graduated from college, I went to Oconee Fall Line Technical College and earned my CDL [commercial driver’s license] . I have been active with our local technical college since graduation . I have served on the [state] Foundation Board and local Board . All of our colleges do a great job changing to the needs of the local community and industry . I know I have seen that in Sandersville at Oconee Fall Line Technical College . Most colleges do not offer a mining and safety training program, but it was needed in Sandersville, and they now offer it for the local workforce .

What excites you most about TCSG?

Workforce development! I love that any person can graduate from high school and have a clear pathway to go to a technical college to learn a skill that they will really enjoy . There really is no reason for someone NOT to know about our technical college system; we are everywhere . TCSG offers a path forward to a better life and many programs are tuition free .

How does workforce development affect the trucking industry?

Commercial truck drivers are in high demand . There is a large shortage nationally, but here in Georgia, it is worse with the large growth of the Port of Savannah . Workforce development, as far as training truck drivers, is very important . Trucking has changed a lot over the last several years . Trucking was known as a dirty job, where you were gone for days or even months at a time . That is not the case anymore . Now these vehicles are very nice and extremely high tech and computerized . Most of the time truck drivers can be home every night . Trucking is now a more appealing industry for people to enter into . It is growing in Georgia along with the demand. It fits right into the training that TCSG is offering at most of its colleges . We are also really struggling to find diesel mechanics .

How does the work you are doing at TCSG impact smaller communities like your hometown of Sandersville?

Smaller communities struggle the most at trying to find skilled workers. The impact that TCSG has in smaller communities is huge. Our colleges find people and give them a skill set that they can use in the workforce . Adult education is very important in these small rural communities, too . Some of our rural communities have the highest high school dropout rates, so to give students a chance to come back to earn their high school equivalency and continue their education serves a big role in these communities .

What is something you wish more people knew about TCSG?

Everyone in this state has an opportunity to learn a skill that is meaningful and that they enjoy . It is possible for anyone . It used to be that a fouryear college was your only option, but now everyone has a pathway forward to learning a skill and making a meaningful impact on society . I also wish that everyone knew how affordable it was . You can get a great education for very low cost .

What is a piece of advice you have received and still use to this day?

Always put God and family first. Treat people with respect and treat them how you would like to be treated . Be kind to people and always work hard . Hard work beats talent 99% of the time .