Coastal Pines Technical College President Lonnie Roberts has announced his retirement from the college, effective September 30, 2026, following more than five years of service as president and a total of 25 years of service to the institution and its predecessor, Altamaha Technical College.
President Roberts became president of Coastal Pines Technical College on February 1, 2021. In his role as president, he has been responsible for providing leadership for the college and ensuring its day-to-day operations remain consistent with and supportive of the college’s mission.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served Coastal Pines Technical College and the students, faculty, staff and communities that make this college so special,” President Roberts said. “This has been an incredibly rewarding chapter of my life, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together. Coastal Pines is an important part of the future of our region, and I have tremendous confidence in the people who will continue moving the college forward.”
President Roberts’ connection to technical education in Southeast Georgia began in 2001, when he joined Altamaha Technical College as Director of Institutional Effectiveness after nearly 21 years serving as Jeff Davis County Clerk and County Administrator. In 2012, he became Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, where he led the college’s efforts to achieve accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
On July 1, 2013, he became Acting President of Altamaha Technical College. He served in that capacity until July 1, 2014, when Altamaha Technical College merged with Okefenokee Technical College to form Coastal Pines Technical College.
Throughout his career, he has been committed to serving his community and the region. A lifelong resident of Hazlehurst and Jeff Davis County, he is a graduate of Jeff Davis High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree from Valdosta State University. He is also a graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. President Roberts was named one of Georgia’s 500 Most Influential Leaders by Georgia Trend Magazine in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
As he prepares for retirement, the college community reflects on the numerous highlights of his career and service to Coastal Pines. During his tenure as president, the college has seen a 15.9% increase in overall enrollment and reached a new record high in enrollment during the 2025-2026 academic year. The college has also expanded program offerings, completed numerous facility upgrades across its seven campus locations, opened a new Precision Machining and Manufacturing Building on the Camden campus, partnered in opening the Southern Pines College and Career Academy on CPTC Baxley campus, and most recently broke ground on the new Health Sciences Building on the Jesup campus. His leadership has helped position Coastal Pines for continued growth and success as the college remains committed to providing accessible, high-quality technical education and workforce training throughout Southeast Georgia.
About Coastal Pines Technical College
Coastal Pines Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia serving students and communities throughout Southeast Georgia. The college provides accessible education and workforce training designed to prepare students for successful careers and support the economic development of the region.