Jim Blackburn of Decatur and Jeffrey Lucas of Weir were recently selected Community Based Job Training (CBJT) Technology Specialists at East Central Community College, announced Dr. Phil A. Sutphin, ECCC president. 

The new positions are funded by a Community Based Job Training Grant.

Blackburn, who began his new duties on Nov. 10, 2010, previously served as electronic technology instructor at ECCC, a position he held since 1993.

Prior to joining the ECCC staff, Blackburn was employed by Soule Steam Feed Works in Meridian and Retail Business Systems in Jackson.

A graduate of Newton High School, Blackburn received an associate’s degree in electronic technology at ECCC in 1987 and attended Mississippi State University.  

He is married to the former Regina Munn and has two children, Amanda and Rebecca. 

Lucas, who began his employment on Dec. 1, 2010, previously served as senior technology support analyst at PACCAR Engine Company in Columbus. He has held similar computer technician positions at Mississippi State University in Starkville and Premier Election Solutions in Jackson. He is also a former computer teacher at Central Academy in Macon.

A graduate of Weir High School, Lucas is a magna cum laude graduate of Mississippi State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in general business with concentration in information systems.

He is married to Bethany Lucas, who earlier this year began her new duties as business and computer technology instructor at the Philadelphia/Neshoba County Career-Technical Center, a division of ECCC.