Main Office Phone Number: (229) 868-7834

• Dr. Howard Abney ,Dean

Dr. Abney has been with the Heart of Georgia Technical College (HGTC) for three years. Prior to becoming Dean of the Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center, he was the Director of Instructional Services on the Dublin Campus. He has a Doctorate of Education from the University of South Florida in Tampa and his Masters and Education Specialist Degrees are from the University of Georgia in Athens. Before joining HGTC, Dr. Abney was a school administrator with the Laurens County Board of Education (Assistant Principal at West Laurens Middle School and Principal of the Dublin-Laurens CrossRoads Alternative School ). He also served our country in the military for more than 20 years, retiring from active duty in the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. Dr. Abney enjoys teaching along with his administrative duties and teaches Early Childhood and General Studies courses for the college. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys fishing, jogging/walking and going to Braves and Bulldog games. He resides in Cadwell with his wife Doris, a Business Education teacher at West Laurens High School. They have two sons, Ham a restaurant owner and Lee an attorney who live in Athens and Madison respectively.

• Mrs. Penny Barlow, Customer Service Specialist

Penny joined HGTC's Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center team in June 2006.  She earned a GED in 1982 and a diploma in Business and Office Technology in 1996.  Before moving to Telfair county, Penny worked for nearly seven years as Adult Literacy secretary at East Central Technical College.  As a technical college graduate, Penny knows first-hand the power of technical and adult education to improve employability skills and income earning potential.  She encourages anyone who is interested in learning to visit the Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center for information and assistance with enrolling for classes.

• Mr. David Taylor, Department Chair, Criminal Justice Program

(229) 868-3096

Mr. Taylor began his career in the Criminal Justice field while a student at Dublin High School, working with the Dublin Police Department as a Radio Operator. Since then, he has earned education and experience in all three areas of Criminal Justice: courts, corrections, and law enforcement.

Mr. Taylor earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia College. He has served as a Uniform Patrol Officer and Criminal Investigator with the Dublin Police Department. He also worked with Dublin Probation Office as Assistant Chief Probation Officer before leaving Laurens County. He has worked with the Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia Juvenile Justice Training Academy, and most recently as a Criminal Justice Technology Instructor with Okefenokee Technical College. During the 1996 Olympics, Taylor was on Special Assignment to the State Olympic Law Enforcement Command, serving as Area Supervisor of military personnel around the entrances to the Georgia Dome, Omni, and World Congress Center.  Call Mr. Taylor with your questions about preparing for a career in the criminal justice field!