Meet The Staff 2025
The Experts Behind The Mission
"Built by Experience, Driven by Excellence"
At Faithful Guardian Training Center (FGTC), excellence in public safety training starts behind the scenes. Our administrative, curriculum development, and quality assurance teams are the backbone of our operation, ensuring that every program meets the highest standards of education, compliance, and real-world applicability.
With years of experience in emergency services, education, and regulatory oversight, our staff works tirelessly to develop and refine training programs that prepare students for the demands of the field. From curriculum design and accreditation to quality control and student support, their dedication ensures that FGTC remains a premier training institution for public safety professionals.
Their mission is simple: to uphold the integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness of our training programs, providing students with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to succeed.
Meet the team that keeps FGTC running at the highest level.
Thomas Woodruff
B.S., CCEMT-P
With over two decades of leadership experience in both private and public emergency service agenci es, Thomas Woodruff brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role as Executive Director of Faithful Guardian Training Center (FGTC). Holding a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies, Thomas has built a distinguished career in emergency services, operations management, service delivery, and training and education.
Throughout his career, Thomas has demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of quality assurance, human resources, personnel management, and product procurement, all of which are critical to the efficient operation of a full-service training center. His extensive background in emergency medicine and fire/rescue operations provides him with the insight and experience necessary to effectively lead FGTC and ensure its position as a premier public safety training institution.
In recognition of his significant contributions to the field, Thomas has earned three Phoenix Awards and holds over seventy-five professional credentials from more than thirty local, state, and federal agencies. His leadership and service have been acknowledged nationally, with Thomas being appointed to the Business Advisory Council in Washington, D.C. in 2005, awarded the Congressional Medal of Distinction in 2006, and selected as the Honorary Chairman of the House Majority Trust.
With a steadfast commitment to excellence, Thomas continues to shape the future of emergency services education and training at FGTC.
Jay Gazaway
TITLE
Team member long bio lass aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Vestibulum iaculis, neque eu semper faucibus, sapien lectus varius orci, eget consequat libero purus ut ante. Donec et ante dictum, malesuada sapien ut, tincidunt elit. Praesent sit amet sapien sit amet nulla viverra malesuada auctor quis ante. Maecenas volutpat lacus et lectus tincidunt, interdum maximus nulla consectetur. Phasellus magna velit, mattis a tellus ut, sollicitudin commodo est. Curabitur tincidunt facilisis magna convallis convallis. Nulla sit amet tincidunt nibh, quis hendrerit sem. Pellentesque a orci eget ex semper lobortis. Phasellus fringilla lorem tincidunt ullamcorper luctus. Sed bibendum tempor sapien, in rutrum tortor pellentesque sed. Fusce pharetra lacinia eros in egestas. Pellentesque vitae facilisis lacus, in rutrum magna. Mauris ornare semper consectetur.
Dr. Jesse Mitchell
MD
Dr. Jesse Robert Mitchell has served as the Emergency Department Physician at Tanner Medical Center since August 1985, bringing over three decades of expertise in emergency medicine. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and completed his undergraduate studies at Mississippi State University. Dr. Mitchell further honed his skills through a Postgraduate Emergency Medicine Residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and an internship at Methodist Hospitals of Memphis. He is licensed to practice medicine in both Georgia and Mississippi.
Dr. Mitchell has an extensive background in medical leadership, having served as the Medical Director for a range of distinguished facilities, including Faithful Guardian Training Center, West Georgia Ambulance, Carrollton Fire Department, Carroll County Fire Rescue, South Wire EMS, Carroll County E-911, West Georgia Technical Institute, and Chattahoochee Technical Institute. His leadership and expertise have been integral to the development and success of these organizations.
In recognition of his contributions to both medicine and his community, Dr. Mitchell was awarded the Distinguished Engineering Fellow designation by Mississippi State University in 1992.
Born on October 25, 1954, Dr. Mitchell married Mary Ewing Mitchell on June 4, 1985. Mary, a former flight nurse, served for fifteen years with Mediflight of Oklahoma and Georgia Baptist Life Flight. Together, they have three children: Blake, a senior at the University of Georgia; and twins Jillian and Ian, who are 17 and currently attend Alexander High School and Heirway Christian Academy. Outside of his professional work, Dr. Mitchell enjoys motorcycle riding, collecting antique maps of the world, and indulging in history and Southern literature.
Justin Dodson
Paramedic, EMS Educator
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