Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia contributes $100,000 to the J. Randy Jackson Scholarship Fund at the THINC College and Career Academy
Posted on June 14th, 2016 by Patrick Sands
(LaGrange, GA.) June 14, 2016 – On Tuesday, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) announced a contribution of $100,000 to the J. Randy Jackson Scholarship Fund at the THINC College and Career Academy during the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce Early Bird Breakfast in LaGrange.
“Randy was truly a visionary leader that was so instrumental in the launch of the THINC College and Career Academy,” said THINC CEO Kathy Carlisle. “He had an extraordinary commitment to developing workforce and improving the lives of students throughout our region. This scholarship will be a lasting tribute to the true catalyst for bringing THINC to Troup County.”
Jackson passed away on Friday, May 20 after leading KMMG through its construction phase, the hiring of more than 3,000 team members, the plant’s expansion of production capacity, multiple successful vehicle launches, the grand opening of THINC College and Career Academy and numerous other projects.
“Randy’s contributions to KMMG during the past nine years are immeasurable and will be felt for decades to come,” said KMMG President and CEO Hyun-Jong Shin. “His commitment to workforce development and improving the lives of citizens throughout KMMG’s region will be an enduring legacy.”
This special THINC scholarship was created in Jackson’s memory to honor his legacy of dedication and tireless effort toward promoting workforce development and increasing graduation rates.
“This scholarship is a wonderful tribute to my father and will leave a lasting impression of his great accomplishments while providing financial assistance for this region’s workforce of tomorrow, a group that he took so much pride in helping,” said his son, Jamey Jackson.
Contributions to this special scholarship may be made to the THINC College and Career Academy for the J. Randy Jackson Scholarship Fund (One College Circle, LaGrange, Ga. 30240).
Caption (Contribution): Pictured, KMMG presents a contribution for $100,000 to the J. Randy Jackson Scholarship Fund at the THINC College and Career Academy. Front row, from left: Jimmy Cho, KMMG’s vice president of human resources and administration; Jackson Family members: Jamey (son), Debbie (wife) and Jennifer (daughter); Kathy Carlisle, THINC CEO; and John Asbell, Toni Striblin, THINC board members. Second row, from left: Ryanna Beckham, KMMG co-op student; Shannon Garner, KMMG’s manager of human resources; Deb Walker, KMMG’s head of legal; and Sara Ann Bryant, 2016 THINC graduate. Third row, from left: Corinne Hodges, KMMG’s head of public relations/THINC board member; Bonnie Colley, KMMG human resources specialist; Regina Farmer, KMMG’s head of general affairs; and Latesa Bailey, KMMG’s head of human resources. Back row, from left: Taylor Kim, KMMG’s public relations/team relations manager and Chris Jones, KMMG’s manager of legal.
About KMMG
Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. With an annual capacity of 360,000 units, KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production on Nov. 16, 2009. KMMG is home to the Sorento CUV and the Optima mid-size sedan, two of the brand’s top selling models in the U.S.
###
