Patrick Ledford

Economic Development Liaison
Georgia Department of Education

Since July 2020, Patrick has served as the Economic Development Liaison for Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) at the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE). In this capacity, he advances CTAE programs across the state by cultivating strategic partnerships with business, industry, and economic development organizations at both the state and local levels. His work includes leading and coordinating workforce and economic development initiatives, that help design, strengthen, and sustain Georgia’s talent pipelines. Prior to joining GaDOE, Patrick spent six years in Career Development at North Georgia Technical College and brings additional experience from both the public and private sectors.

Since 2019, he has served in elected office as a Councilman for his hometown of Mt. Airy, Georgia, and is an active Rotarian in the Habersham County Rotary Club Board. Dedicated to continuous professional growth, Patrick was selected for Georgia Forward’s Young Gamechangers program in 2022, supporting Dalton–Whitfield County. He is a graduate of the Georgia Department of Education’s inaugural Aspiring Leadership Academy (2024) and recently completed the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education’s Education Policy Fellowship (2025). He is also a 2019 graduate of the Georgia Academy of Economic Development.

Patrick holds undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice and earned a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling from Liberty University in 2015. He and his wife of 14 years, Katherine, live in Mt. Airy, Georgia, where they raise their son and daughter, while remaining actively engaged with their church and community.