President Cliff Wightman was appointed as the President to Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Livingston, while also serving as President for the Crossville campus.
Wightman began his career at the Crossville campus and with the TBR system in 2007 as a machine tool technology instructor, following an 18-year career as a machinist and engineering technician in the private sector. He served as TCAT-Crossville’s marketing and industrial training coordinator from 2012 to 2015, when he was elevated to assistant director.
The new president said he is looking forward to leading the college.
“I have served many roles with the college — starting as a student — and these different positions have given me a sound knowledge of what it takes to run the college,” Wightman said. “I have experience ranging from the teaching aspect to the finances and building projects. I also understand our need to maintain relationships with industry and the community and to promote continuing education and partnerships with our community colleges. I firmly feel that my entire life has evolved into where I am today because of the education I received as a student here, and I can convey to area residents the need for skilled training to change their lives for the better.”
Other than his continuing education, Wightman has attended the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology Leadership Training Academy and has been a presenter at the Tennessee Board of Regents’ New Faculty Institute. He has attended team leader training at the Council on Occupational Education, the national accreditation agency for technical colleges. Wightman also serves on the National Education Team for Skills USA and board member for American Technical Education Association.