Rockdale Career Academy instructor Dr. Pete Brannan was recently elected to head a state association for career and technological education.

Branna was elected as the 2009-2010 president-elect of the Georgia Association for Career & Technology Education (GACTE) during their annual conference, which met July 19-22, at the Cobb Galleria Conference Center in Marietta.

The Georgia Association for Career & Technology Education (GACTE) is a state affiliate of the national organization, Association for Career & Technology Education (ACTE). Georgia's more than 2,800 members represent high school, technical college, and university faculty and administrators who are associated with career, technical, and agricultural education.

Nominated by a member from the Engineering and Technology Education Division and elected by ballot, Brannan was recognized at GACTE's annual business meeting as the new president-elect, the initial stage of a three year term on the Executive Board that includes a year each as president-elect, president, and past president. Brannan most recently completed a three year term on the GACTE Board as the divisional Vice-President for Engineering and Technology Education.

Brannan is the manufacturing instructor and an intern coordinator at Rockdale Career Academy in Conyers. An educator for more than 21 years, he earned his BSEd in Industrial Arts from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro in 1969, and more recently earned his EdD from the University of Georgia in 2006 at age 58. The recipient of numerous teaching awards and recognitions, Dr. Brannan is a retired Navy Commander, having served as a Naval Flight Officer in his 28.5 year active duty and reserve career. He and his wife, Noël, reside in McDonough; they have two married sons and three grandchildren.