August 6, 2025
Gainesville, Ga—Ethan Odom, a graduate of Lanier Technical College’s Automotive Technology program, was recently recognized in Las Vegas, Nevada, by the General Motors Company as one of the Top 50 Technicians in the United States for 2024. Out of 2,570 technicians in the U.S. to be considered in the GM Mark of Excellence Service Technician program, he ranked 45th.
Odom’s rise to the top started by practicing the basics of auto mechanics while working at a Walmart oil change center. Looking to accelerate his career, he recalled a time when a Lanier Tech recruiter visited his high school and discussed the Automotive Technology program. “It was a no-brainer for me. I was ready to take that next step, and Lanier Tech was the answer. I was even able to complete the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification exams before graduating from the college in
2010,” said Odom.
He immediately began working for Andean Chevrolet after graduation, then transitioned to John Megel Chevrolet as an Automotive Technician and Transmission Specialist. “It became a situation where we had numerous transmissions that needed servicing. I knew I could step up and be the one to meet the deadline, so that is how I became known around the shop as the go-to Transmission Specialist.”
Previous Automotive Technology Instructor, Chris Cooper, recollected Odom’s dedication to his craft, “It was no surprise to me that Ethan was recognized as top talent. He continually spent extra hours in the lab whenever he had the chance. He would ask complex questions to have a better understanding of the course material, and he would offer to help his classmates. Those traits alone demonstrated to me that he had found his passion in life.”
Lanier Technical College’s Automotive Technology program aims to produce top-notch technicians for the repair, maintenance and performance sectors of the automotive industry. The program offers three levels of instructional training, including a two-year degree, diploma, and multiple certificates.
Learn more about Lanier Tech’s Automotive Technology program:
https://www.laniertech.edu/programs/automotive-transportation-technologies/automotive-technology/
About the Technical College System of Georgia
The 22 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) are Georgia’s top resource for skilled workers. TCSG offers world-class training in more than 600 associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs to students who are trained on state-of-the-art equipment by instructors who are experts in their fields. The system also houses Georgia’s Office of Adult Education, which promotes and provides adult literacy and education programs, including the GED® testing program, throughout the state. In addition, TCSG partners with companies through Quick Start, the nation’s top customized workforce training program, and through its colleges, which work with local industry to provide workforce and training solutions. For more information, visit TCSG.edu.
