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Korean auto maker Kia has made a major contribution to a scholarship launched in honor of Randy Jackson, the late executive who helped shepherd the company through its startup phase and contributed significantly to its success over seven years of manufacturing in Georgia.
Mr. Jackson died May 20 during a layover at the Seattle airport en route to Seoul, where he traveled often on Kia business. The company confirmed that he died of natural causes but could not elaborate further.
Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia Inc. is providing $100,000 to the J. Randy Jackson Scholarship Fund at the THINC College and Career Academy, a Troup County charter school launched in 2015 to prepare students for the modern workforce and to ensure that companies like Kia have a pipeline of qualified talent.
Mr. Jackson was the first American hired at the plant in 2007. He headed up human resources, bringing on more than 3,000 workers and instituting three shifts at the plant as Kia shattered its own U.S. sales records with popular models like the Sorento midsize SUV and the Optima sedan. Mr. Jackson touted the plant’s ability to churn out a car a minute and its ability to run three shifts, five days per week.
He eventually became chief administrative officer of the Georgia plant, surpassing his early career goal of becoming a corporate vice president. He never lost his focus on workforce development and education, according to the company, which backed the scholarship to help carry on his legacy of investment in young people.
“Randy was truly a visionary leader that was so instrumental in the launch of the THINC College and Career Academy,” said THINC CEO Kathy Carlisle in a statement. “He had an extraordinary commitment to developing workforce and improving the lives of students throughout our region. This scholarship will be a lasting tribute to the true catalyst for bringing THINC to Troup County.”
After a funeral with family and friends, a memorial service celebrating his life was held at the Kia Training Center at 900 Kia Blvd. on May 26, A procession of family, friends, community leaders and co-workers share about his commitment to education at all levels. Having been integral to Kia’s support of STEM education in elementary and middle schoolers, he was even said to be mulling a new program for preschoolers at the time of his death.
Mr. Jackson, a native of Macon and resident of Opelika, Ala., was 59. He was a 20-year auto industry veteran and a University of Georgia graduate.
Kia has been a longtime supporter of the THINC academy and has paid out more than half of a $3 million pledge of support. The $100,000 scholarship contribution and $400,000 for a science lab came separately from that commitment.
The company has also contributed $1.2 million so far to implement A World In Motion, a science, technology, engineering and math curriculum for schools in a few West Georgia and East Alabama counties.
Kia was integral to bringing the program into local schools, with Mr. Jackson playing a key role in driving the initiative forward. The program is expected to impact more than 73,000 students over six years. In an upcoming phase, Kia workers are expected to spend time teaching in local classrooms.
Contributions to the J. Randy Jackson Scholarship Fund can be made to the THINC College and Career Academy at One College Circle, LaGrange, Ga. 30240.
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