By Mike Fitts
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COLUMBIA -- Barry Russell, head of the state’s technical college system, will retire May 31.

Russell has been president of the system since 2006; before that, he was president of Midlands Tech from 1999 through 2005.

Russell has reached the end of his time under the state’s Teacher and Employee Retiree Incentive program, said Kelly Steinhilper, director of communications for the system. The program, better known as the TERI program, allows government employees to technically begin their retirement, then continue to work for up to five years.

In a January letter to his staff, Russell said he was proud of what the technical colleges had achieved on his watch.

“In just the past year, the system has experienced some unprecedented firsts, such as unparalleled enrollment increases, remarkable increases in the number of apprenticeship programs and apprentices across the state, as well as playing an integral role in bringing a project the magnitude of Boeing to the state,” Russell said. “I am confident that the system will continue to thrive and play a critical role in educating and training South Carolina’s work force.”

He announced his departure with time to spare in order to facilitate a search for his successor, he said in the letter.

Midlands Technical College President Marshall “Sonny” White said Russell has shown a deep understanding and appreciation of the mission of the two-year technical colleges during his time as system president.

The luring of such employers as Boeing and Proterra to the state during Russell’s tenure speaks well of the technical college system’s skills and reputation, White said.

The 16 colleges of the system have seen enrollment rise by 16% or more amid the recession, White said, as students and midcareer workers have sought training to improve their career prospects.

Russell left Midlands Tech in excellent condition, White said, paving the way for it to expand its offerings to meet the needs of area businesses.

“He left us in a strong position,” White said.

Published Feb. 8, 2010