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Savannah Technical College announces board changes
Savannah Technical College Board of Directors
James Williams (from left), Todd Hoffman, Donald Lovette and Brandt Herndon - photo by Submitted photo
Submitted report
Effingham Herald
Updated: Jul 3, 2022, 12:28 PM
Published: Jul 3, 2022, 12:29 PM

SAVANNAH — Savannah Technical College’s local Board of Directors announced changes to board leadership this week. James Williams, who was formerly vice chairman, completed his service to the board after nine years. The board voted to approve new leadership for the upcoming fiscal year with Donald Lovette as chairman and Brandt Herndon as vice chairman.

Lovette is the retired director of Laboratory Services for Liberty Regional Medical Center and is the CEO of Love-In Productions Inc. He is a graduate of Bradwell Institute High School (1973), North Georgia Technical College and honor graduate of Brewton-Parker College. He is the chairman of the Liberty County Board of Commissioners. He is a member of the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority, The Fraser Center Board of Directors and a council member of coastal Regional Commission. He is a lifelong member of the Pleasant Grove AME Church, where he serves as steward pro-tem, men’s choir director and new members’ class teacher. He is also a member of the Gospel Cousinaires.

Herndon is the chief executive officer for the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, and holds a Masters of Business Administration from Georgia State University. He also held positions at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, as well as Electric Cities of Georgia where he was an economic development project manager. He is actively involved on the board of the Southern Economic Development Council, the Realtors Commercial Alliance of Savannah and Hilton Head, as well as the Local Board of Directors for Savannah Technical College, and the Board of Directors for the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce. 

Williams worked more than 40 years in the power generation industry from field engineer to plane management to executive management. He retired from Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas, Inc. as executive vice president in 2015. He now is president of JW Williams Consulting and Services, LLC. He has a bachelor of science in Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician, Associate of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology. He is a rotary volunteer, president of the Savannah Chapter of Christian Motorcyclists Association and a deacon and active member in men’s ministries at Compassion Christian Church.

In addition to Lovette and Herndon, the STC 2022-23 Board of Directors includes Dr. Kathleen Benton (Chatham County) and Todd Hoffman (Effingham County and Tom Ratcliffe (Liberty County).

The college’s local board of directors is comprised of community and industry leaders who strive to keep the college at the highest standard of excellence in education.  The local board facilitates the delivery of programs, services and activities as directed by the TCSG State Board, advises the President and the TCSG State Board of local industry and community needs for the programs and services to be provided by the technical college, and advocates within the community and within the state on issues of importance in support of TCSG and Georgia’s workforce development efforts.


New students are admitted to the baking and pastry program year-round. The priority application deadline for fall semester 2022 is July 22. 

For more information about Culinary Arts news and events at Savannah Tech visit: www.facebook.com/SavannahCulinaryInstitute.


Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.


 Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Teen Breeleigh Patrick Guides Her Goat to Glory
It Took Months of Training and Care to Make Cruella a State Champion
Effingham Fair
South Effingham freshman Breeleigh Patrick works with her goat, Cruella, at Leaning Oaks Farm in Guyton. The pair recently made history when Cruella was named Grand Champion Jr. Market Doe at the Georgia National Fair — the first time an exhibitor from Effingham County has earned the title. (Paul Kasko / Effingham Herald)
Paul Kasko
Updated: Oct 21, 2025, 4:35 PM
Published: Oct 21, 2025, 4:36 PM

GUYTON, Ga. — Breeleigh Patrick crouched in the barn, gently brushing her goat Cruella, who nudged her shoulder and bleated softly. The 15-year-old South Effingham High School freshman spent months coaxing, grooming, and training her goat — a partnership that paid off a few weeks ago when Cruella was crowned Grand Champion Jr. Market Doe at the Georgia National Fair.

Breeleigh is the first exhibitor from Effingham County to win the state championship in this category.

“It was really cool to win,” said the soft-spoken Breeleigh.

The Effingham County Fair’s Livestock Shows begins this week at the Livestock Arena, with each show beginning at 7 p.m. The Goat Show is today, followed by the Swine Show on Wednesday, the Lamb & Cattle Show on Thursday, and the Rabbit Show wrapping things up Friday night.

Effingham County Fair
The moment of victory: Breeleigh Patrick receives a high five from the judge after Cruella was named Grand Champion Jr. Market Doe at the Georgia National Fair, capping months of training and dedication. (Submitted photo)

Family pride and recognition

Breeleigh’s younger sister, Hailey, 8, also competed at the Georgia National Fair, placing third overall in the Jr. Market Doe division. Both Breeleigh and Hailey were recognized for their achievements by the Effingham County School Board on Oct. 16, a moment their mother, Shannon Patrick, called “very special for the girls and our family.”

Hailey is one of the renowned Patrick triplets, along with Bailey and Kailey — a tongue-twister even before morning coffee. Their cousin Michaela Kramer also shows goats, making livestock competitions a full family affair.

Effingham Fair
Eight-year-old Hailey Patrick and her goat, Gypsy, placed third overall in the Jr. Market Doe division at the Georgia National Fair. Hailey is one of the renowned Patrick triplets, making livestock competitions a full family affair at Leaning Oaks Farm in Guyton. (Paul Kasko / Effingham Herald)

Life on the farm

At Leaning Oaks Farm, a 43-acre property in Guyton, life revolves around animals. The Patricks raise Black and Red Angus cattle, own more than 200 goats, chickens, pigs, and a handful of barn cats. The goats poke their heads through fence openings, bleating and nudging for a pat from visitors. The air is filled with the scent of hay and the occasional clatter of hooves on the barn floor, while chickens cluck, flies buzz and cats weave between legs, making the barn feel alive with constant motion and quiet chaos.

Amid all that activity, Breeleigh stands out. Parents Shannon and Jake are both South Effingham graduates — Jake grew up showing pigs and cattle, while Shannon joked that she was “a no show.” She’s made up for it now, spending more weekends in barns than most moms spend binge-watching TV.

Now, their daughter has become the barn’s calm center, the quiet star amid the commotion.

Effingham Fair
Breeleigh Patrick celebrates with her family, team and fair officials after Cruella was crowned Grand Champion Jr. Market Doe at the Georgia National Fair, marking a historic first for an Effingham County exhibitor. (Submitted photo)

A champion’s journey

Breeleigh’s partnership with Cruella didn’t happen overnight. The goat, purchased from top goat breeder Jamie Smith at Blue Team Wethers in Zephyr, Texas, was “as wild as they come,” said Matthew Nease, the farm manager who has worked with Breeleigh for two years.

“You couldn’t even put your hands on her at first,” Nease said. “We started with bucket time.”

Breeleigh would sit on a bucket beside Cruella, brushing her and gaining her trust, her mother, Shannon, said. After that, she began walking Cruella up and down the farm drive with a halter, breaking her in step by step.

Cruella, true to her namesake, has a flair for drama — she has opinions about how long and tight Breeleigh should hold her halter, making their interactions feel like a playful game of tug-of-war.

“The relationship between Breeleigh and Cruella is entirely hers,” Nease added. “I just help with daily care — feed and exercise.”

Cruella’s name is a nod to the Disney villain from “101 Dalmatians” — a fitting moniker for a goat with attitude. Today, Cruella is resting and recovering, following a strict diet and exercise plan, taking supplements and probiotics, and receiving extra care from Breeleigh.

In showmanship, judges evaluate not just the goat, but the exhibitor: posture, control, foot placement, and presentation are all considered. Months of training boil down to just two to five minutes in the ring.

“Animals are not easy to deal with,” Jake said. “They fight you nonstop. They’re not like a puppy. But it teaches responsibility, leadership, and confidence — especially when you’re standing in front of 500 people.”

Over the past three years, Breeleigh has earned three championship belt buckles, each marking a milestone in her journey as a showman. Despite her growing recognition, she remains grounded, preferring the barn to applause and attention.

“She hates all the attention,” Shannon said, smiling. “But she’s earned every bit of it.”

Even without showing Cruella on Tuesday, Breeleigh’s bond with her goat is what matters most — a testament to patience, care, and the quiet determination that turned a wild little animal into a champion.