Plans are progressing in the merger of Coosa Valley Technical College and Northwestern Technical College. The Technical College System of Georgia today approved Craig McDaniel, president of Coosa Valley Technical College, as the new president of the consolidated college, effective July 1, 2009.

I look forward to working with the folks at Northwestern," McDaniel said. "They’ve got a good school up there, and it will be a merger of two good institutions that both have a lot of history. "

Interim president of Northwestern Technical College Jeff King has been named provost for the merged school. The board has not made any decisions on the school's name.

The merging of 14 technical colleges across Georgia is expected to save $3.5 million.

The Technical College System of Georgia board also named Dr. Sandford Chandler, president of Appalachian Technical College in Jasper, president of the college formed from the merger of Chattahoochee Technical College and North Metro Technical College. Chandler is a former CVTC vice president who oversaw the Gordon County campus.

Ron Newcomb, interim president at North Metro Technical College, will be provost of the merged institution