Cherokee County Advisory Roundtable with Heather Pence, President, Chattahoochee Technical College

Heather Pence
President
Chattahoochee Technical College

Heather Pence serves as President of Chattahoochee Technical College, bringing more than 20 years of experience within the Technical College System of Georgia to the role. Prior to becoming president in May 2025, she served as Interim President and Executive Vice President for Operations, overseeing areas including finance, human resources, technology, and administration. Pence began her career with the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, where she audited technical colleges before joining Appalachian Technical College, which later became part of Chattahoochee Technical College.

Upon her appointment, Pence said, “I am honored to serve as President of Chattahoochee Technical College.” Her commitment to the institution is deeply personal. In a Reinhardt University profile, Pence explained that “the mission of Chatt Tech is in my heart,” adding, “By serving our students, we are serving our communities.”

That community and workforce focus has remained central to her leadership. Pence has described Chattahoochee Tech’s role as the “vanguard of exceptional technical education” across the communities it serves. Discussing a recent workforce partnership, she characterized the college’s mission as “connecting people with opportunity and strengthening the workforce that keeps Georgia moving forward.”

Pence also emphasizes the transformative potential of technical education for individual students. Addressing graduates, she told them, “Today is about who you have become,” and reminded them that “through your hands and dedication, you will build our future.”

Pence earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of North Georgia and a Master of Business Administration from Reinhardt University. She has credited her MBA with helping her expand beyond an accounting-focused career and develop the broader perspective needed to advance through organizational leadership.