We love watching the leaders who graduate from our program make big moves and big impact for South Georgia. Serving on boards, advocating for regional issues, creatively collaborating and fervently problem-solving, LEADS alumni are a collective force for change.
Jason Dunn | RLI, Class of '17
Since 2015, Director of Fitzgerald and Ben Hill County Development Authority Jason Dunn has spent every day focusing on advancing rural Georgia. He saw a need for an economic resurgence in his community and through Jason’s revitalization efforts, vast improvements have been made to Fitzgerald. He certainly has deep roots in rural Georgia, and he was eager to share his story with Georgia’s Rural Center.
Class of '25 | RLI
JCI Contractors
Director of Marketing
Colquitt County
aautry@jcicontractors.com
229.454.3265
Ruth’s Cottage & Pattycake House
Executive Director
Tift County
nbryan@rcpch.net
229.402.2146
Terrell County Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
Terrell County
Cheryl111980@gmail.com
706.614.9808
Pixel Point, LLC
Event Producer
Berrien County
jditto@pixelpointllc.com
678.469.7700
Georgia Power Company
Distribution Manager
Lowndes County
gwdobbin@southhernco.com
205.737.2326
Resilient Georgia
Regional Program Coordinator
Thomas County
aenlglish@resilientga.org
850.597.1995
Keller Williams Georgia Communities
Realtor
Lee County
Clint.faircloth@kw.com
229.886.5155
The Anchor of Hope House
Owner/Director
Early County
anchorofhopehouse@gmail.com
229.308.0761
Georgia Power Company
Transmission Maintenance Supervisor
Lee County
xgaulden@southernco.com
706.573.6728
Southern Regional Technical College
Director of Economic Development
Thomas County
kharris@southernregional.edu
404.992.1585
Ace Electric, Inc
MIS Analyst
Lowndes County
grant.herring@aceelectric.net
404.407.0768
Colquitt County Board of Education
CTAE Director
Colquitt County
chad.horne@colquitt.k12.ga.us
229.891.4889
Valdosta Orthopedic Associates
Physical Therapy Assistant Lowndes County
mbelle4641@gmail.com
229.251.4641
Wells Fargo Advisors
Financial Advisor
Berrien County
alonsoimartinez@gmail.com
229.646.0810
Williams Investment Co
Managing Director
Lowndes County
amcneal@willimashotelgroup.com
229.563.3400
Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority
President / CEO
Lowndes County
nogletree@buildlowndes.com
229.251.1721
Valdosta State University
Chief Information Officer
Lowndes County
kjoverlaur@valdosta.edu
205-215-2121
Rae of Sunshine Cleaning, LLC
Owner/Operator
Ben Hill County
Craepeterkin87@gmail.com
229-457-0605
Dougherty County School System
Assistant Principal
Lee County
Milton.reese@docoschools.org
229-886-8814
City of Americus
Chief of Police
Sumter County
mscott@americusga.gov
229-591-3310
Colquitt Downtown Development Authority
Economic Director
Miller County
jayme@downtowncolquittga.com
229.220.9796
Turner County Schools
Technology Director
Crisp County
jcomptech@gmail.com
229.322.5925
City of Nashville
Finance Director
Berrien County
dwilliams@nashvillega.com
912.850.5074
United Way of Southeast Georgia
Community Impact Director
Lee County
Cindy.wisham@unitedwayswga.org
229.347.2907
Class of '25 | WLI
Lowndes County
Peach County
Key Account Manager
Georgia Power
Tift County
Lowndes County
Transit Director for the
Southern Georgia Regional Commission
Colquitt County
Executive Director
United Way of Colquitt County
Lowndes County
Founder
BOLD Career Collective for Women
Lowndes County
Education and Workforce Development Coordinator
Georgia Power
Lowndes County
Tift County
Interim Dean
Stafford School of Business, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Turner County
Thomas County
Assistant Director of Diversity and Community Partnerships
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, South Georgia
Brooks County
Business Development Rep
SERVPRO of Tifton
Lowndes County
Event Point
Lee County
Open Arms, Inc., a Child Advocacy Center
Executive Director
Lowndes County
Owner/Operator
CSW Advisory Services
Class of '24 | RLI
Sumter County
Tift County
Sumter County
Dougherty County
Tift County
Colquitt County
Executive Director, Moultrie-Colquitt County Parks & Recreation Authority
Lee County
Ben Hill County
Colquitt County
Sumter County
Dougherty County
Dougherty County
Turner County
Lowndes County
Tift County
Lanier County
Decatur County
Crisp County
Thomas County
Early County
Executive Director, Early County Development Authority
Early County
Grady County
Crisp County
Lowndes County
Lee County
Lowndes County
Lee / Mitchell County
Tift County
Executive Director, The Arts Center of Moultrie
director@moultriearts.org
Class of '24 | WLI
Tift County
Dirctor,
Ruth’s Cottage & Patty Cake House
nbryan@rcpch.net
Tift County
President / CEO,
Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce
mcowart@tiftonchamber.org
Lowndes County
Executive Director,
Girls on the Run | South Georgia
crawfordjohnmary@bellsouth.net
Lowndes County
Community Relations Manager,
City of Valdosta
sharah.dentonpr@gmail.com
Tift County
President / CEO / Founder,
Alliance for Children
alliance4chiuldrensouthga@gmail.com
Lee County
Entrepreneur
cicilyflorence@gmail.com
Dougherty County
Realtor,
Keller Williams Realty Group
loriclmns@aol.com
Dougherty County
DDA Executive Director,
City of Albany
lgaskins@albanyga.gov
Lowndes County
Advertising Director,
Valdosta Daily Times
lasterhill@gmail.com
Lowndes County
President / CEO,
Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce
cmoore@valdostachamber.com
Tift County
Head of Dept. of Agriculture,
ABAC
alukemorgan@abac.edu
Lowndes County
Branch Manager,
Southeastern Credit Union
chanel.randolph@yahoo.com
Colquitt County
Literacy Mentoring Coordinator,
Colquitt County Educational Foundation
dale.rickett@brightercolquitt.org
Tift County
Director of URA,
City of Tifton
ttift@tifton.net
Colquitt County
Marketing Management Program Chair,
Southern Regional Technical College
cviohl@southernregional.edu
Colquitt County
Colquitt County
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs
willis@aceloans.org
Lee County
Community Impact Director,
United Way of Southwest Georgia
cindy.wisham@unitedwayswga.org
Mitchell County
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum,
Mitchell County Schools
christy.wray@yahoo.com
Class of '23 | RLI
Marketing Director,
Southern Regional Technical College
Executive Director,
Girls on the Run | South Georgia
Pastor, Hahira Community Church
Executive Director,
Grady County Chamber of Commerce
Literacy Program Manager,
Colquitt County Educational Foundation
Class of '22 | RLI 2.0
Sarah Adams
A.C. Braswell
Elena Carne
Rob Collins
Renata Elad
William Hancock
Eric Larson
Patsy Shirley
Jess Sinclair
Bridges Sinyard
Michael Smith
Andrea Ward
Tommie Beth Willis
Brianna Wilson
Class of '21 | RLI
Archway Professional,
Colquitt Archway Partnership
dawg7@uga.edu
Work-Based Learning Coordinator/
Career Counselor
Cairo High School
w.brannen@grady.k12.ga.us
Assistant Supervisor of Cemeteries,
City of Valdosta
maestrobraswell@gmail.com
SW Regional Director,
Georgia Power Company
jabrownl@southernco.com
CEO / Fashion Designer,
T31 Activewear
elena@tepuyactivewear.com
Marketing & Public Relations Director,
Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority
jcatlett@vlpra.com
Director of Compliance,
Colquitt County Board of Commissioners
justin.cox@ccboc.com
Executive Director,
Fitzgerald Ben Hill Chamber of Commerce
melissa.dark@fitzgeraldchamber.org
Talent Resource Coordinator,
New Hire Solutions
chandler@newhiresolutions.net
President,
Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce
hrgreen604@gmail.com
Lender/Officer,
Planters and Citizens Bank
vance@pcbank.net
Communications Coordinator,
Colquitt Regional Medical Center
jordanhammack@colquittregional.com
Archway Professional, Colquitt County
Chief Executive Officer,
Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy
chris.hatcher@4cacademy.org
CEO/Executive Director,
United Way of Colquitt County
caroline@uwccga.org
Coordinator of Family Services / Operations Manager,
New Horizons Habitat for Humanity
ejackson@newhorizonshabitat.org
Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology,
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
eric.larson@abac.edu
Market President,
Peoples South Bank
joseph_magaddino@yahoo.com
Chief Executive Officer,
Tift College and Career Academy
tmark@tiftschools.com
Federation Manager, 2nd District
Georgia Farm Bureau
KAmurray@gfb.org
President,
ANS Signs, Inc.
chris@anssigns.com
Assistant Branch Manager,
Ameris Bank
summer.richmond@amerisbank.com
Funeral Director,
Barnum Funeral Home
darrellsabbs@gmail.com
Founder,
K.E.Y.S. to Transformation
jsinclair@keystotransformation.org
Vice President,
Adams Exterminators
bridges@adams-ext.com
Chief Information Officer,
Planters First Bank
rslade@bankpfb.com
Executive Director,
Greater Valdosta United Way
msmith@unitedwayvaldosta.org
AVP for Advancement,
Georgia Southwestern State University
stephen.snyder@gsw.edu
Senior VP of Operations,
Phoebe Putney Health System
tsullivan@phoebehealth.com
Tri County Ready Mix
knwall@live.com
Associate Director for Alumni Relations and Annual Giving,
Valdosta State University
emwall@valdosta.edu
Chief Executive Officer,
Ignite College and Career Academy
dgilman@sumterschools.org
Class of '20 | RLI
Market Analyst,
Webb Properties, Inc.
fbird@webbproperties.com
Assistant Vice President,
Family Bank
kblackburn@familybankonline.com
Editor,
THBoyd Communications
thressea@thboydcomm.com
City Manager,
City of Cairo, GA
jbrown@cairocity.net
Fred Taylor Company, Inc.
TBrown@FredTaylorCompany.com
Assistant Professor of Respiratory Therapy,
Andrew College
kathrynbrown@andrewcollege.edu
Assistant Professor of Leadership,
Andrew College
malanieburnett@andrewcollege.edu
Director, Agricultural Technology
Georgia Centers of Innovation
CChammoun@Georgia.org
Superintendent,
Sumter County Schools
tchoates@sumtercountyschools.org
Coordinator,
Sylvester Worth County Family Connection
ldylinski@cityofsylvester.com
Partner, Account Executive,
Denham Edwards Forshee, Ins.
wedwards@definsure.com
Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations,
Albany State University
AL.Fleming@asurams.edu
Vice President and Chief Development Officer,
South Georgia Medical Center
hilary.gibbs@sgmc.org
Downtown Development Authority Director,
City of Bainbridge
amandag@bainbridgecity.com
Councilman,
Tifton City Council
Mim’s Kids
collinstiftonga@gmail.com
Commissioner,
Ben Hill County Commission
hope.harmon@benhillcounty-ga.gov
Department Head / Associate Professor,
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
wharrison@abac.edu
Regional Manager, Tifton Office
Georgia Chamber of Commerce
tholmes@gachamber.com
Director, Mainstreet and Downtown Development Authority
City of Douglas
dhughes@douglasga.org
Transportation & Environmental Director,
Southern Georgia Regional Commission
hullcorey@gmail.com
courtneysalapaking@icloud.com
Mainstreet & Marketing Director
Cairo Mainstreet
alacy@cairocity.net
Financial Services Representative,
Strategic Wealth Group
joshualovett@financialguide.com
Dean of Student Affairs,
Andrew College
jamesmccoy@andrewcollege.edu
Business Development Manager,
IFCO Seedlings
pmobley@ifcoseedlings.com
English Instructor,
South Georgia Technical College
ravenep@gmail.com
Director of Sales and Marketing,
Wild Adventures Theme Park
ppearson@wildadventures.com
AVP of Human Resources,
Phoebe Sumter Medical Center
wpeterson@phoebehealth.com
Owner,
Georgia Grown Citrus, LLC
lindylamarsavelle@gmail.com
Agency Director,
Ascend Inbound
anne@ascendinbound.com
Coordinator,
Lee County Family Connection
patsy@leecountyfamilyconnection.org
Main Street Manager,
City of Sylvester
Ksingletary@cityofsylvester.com
HR Specialist and Executive Assistant,
Innovative Senior Solutions
allison.stewart97@yahoo.com
President/CEO,
Ocilla-Irwin Chamber of Commerce
ocillachamber@windstream.net
AVP of Program Development,
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
joe.sumner@wiregrass.edu
Host,
The Game Changers
thegamechangerswithangela@gmail.com
Executive Director,
Randolph County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority
randolphcountychamber@gmail.com
CEO & Partner,
Southern Point Staffing
bwilson@spscareer.com
Class of '19 | RLI
Dean, Stafford School of Business
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
relad@abac.edu
Marketing Consultant
anna.r.ligon@gmail.com
Principal,
Marion Academy (Alabama)
marionacademy@hotmail.com
Executive Director,
New Horizons Habitat for Humanity
loriclmns@aol.com
lgadson@newhorizonshabitat.org
Field Engineer,
Grady Electric Membership Corporation (EMC)
t.gainous@gradyemc.com
Building Services Supervisor,
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
shedrick@uga.edu
Retired
(North Carolina)
Program Services Director,
Moultrie Chamber of Commerce
chatcher@moultriechamber.com
Executive Director,
Appling County Development Authority
Director,
Valdosta Main Street/Central Valdosta Development Authority
ehill@valdostacity.com
Talent Acquisition Partner,
Phoebe Putney Health System
savannahrhughes@gmail.com
Vice President/Branch Manager,
Colony Bank
amber.jenkins@colonybank.com
Business Consultant,
UGA Small Business Development Center
robmartin@georgiasbdc.org
donlmeeks@gmail.com
Broker/Owner,
Premier Group Realty
rollinsm@premiergrouprealty.com
Coordinator of Development,
Andrew College
courtneymilliron@andrewcollege.edu
Manager/Instructor,
Camilla Gym and Tan
kgnoble@valdosta.edu
Vice President/Regional Lending Manager,
Ag Georgia Farm Credit
jpeters@aggeorgia.com
Local Manager,
Georgia Power Company
llporter@southernco.com
Director of Library Services/Educational & Technology Coordinator,
Andrew College
mckenzieragan@andrewcollege.edu
Administrative Assistant for Development & Public Relations,
Andrew College
hallahsauls@andrewcollege.edu
President, Douglas-Coffee County EDA
mseale@douglasga.org
President,
New Hire Solutions
landis@newhiresolutions.net
President/Owner,
Shutters Plus, Inc.
chadwarbington@shuttersplus.com
Class of '18 | RLI
Manager,
Standard Discount Corporation
quentinbates@gmail.com
Main Street Manager/DDA Director,
City of Cairo
ablakley@cairocity.net
Economic Development Coordinator
Crisp County Industrial Development Council
christybozeman@crispidc.com
Chief Operating Officer,
Albany Area Primary Healthcare, Inc.
Clifton.Bush@aaphc.org
Administrative Assistant to Academic Dean,
Andrew College
kirstencochran@andrewcollege.edu
Administrative Program Director,
Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce
chamber@douglasga.org
Owner,
Sweetly, Shealy
shealydixon@gmail.com
Mayor,
City of Cairo
gainorforga@gmail.com
Downtown Manager,
City of Albany
lgaskins@albanyga.gov
Economic Development Project Manager
Coweta County Development Authority
mgiddens@coweta.ga.us
Vice President,
Southwest Georgia Farm Credit
MHarris@SWGAFarmCredit.com
Executive Assistant to the CEO,
Southwest Georgia Oil Company
Adrienne.harrison@inland-stores.com
Membership Services Manager,
Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce
spersing@gwinnettchamber.org
Lender/Assistant VP,
Colony Bank
jhester@colonybank.com
Wellness Center Coordinator,
Southern Regional Technical College
kholt@southernregional.edu
Project Manager,
Southwest Georgia Project
whitneekay@gmail.com
General Manager,
The Fred Taylor Company, Inc. & Interstate Warehouse Services
jbligon@bellsouth.net
Vice President,
JCI Contractors
jloyd@jcicontractors.com
Lecturer,
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
alukemorgan@abac.edu
Director of Member Services,
One Sumter
ivy@onesumter.org
Community Support Specialist,
Georgia Family Connection Partnership
roliver@gafcp.org
President,
Royce’s Towing & Recovery, Inc.
Larry@roycestowing.com
Project Manager,
LRA Constructors, Inc.
JakeReese@lraconstructors.com
Board Member,
Grady County Board of Education
lb.register916@gmail.com
Finance Director,
Randolph County Board of Commissioners
rcbocassistant@gmail.com
Loan Officer/Network Security Administrator,
Bank of Alapaha
tschultz@bankofalapaha.com
Service Manager,
SafeAire Heating & Cooling
jsiskey@gmail.com
Owner,
Broadleaf Trucking
steadman@broadleaftrucking.com
Retired
neesawilliams@mediacombb.net
Assistant Dean,
Wiregrass Technical College
michael.williams@wiregrass.edu
COO/Co-Owner,
Innovative Senior Solutions
jetwright05@hotmail.com
Class of '17 | RLI
Owner,
Atwater Insurance
atwaterinsurance44@gmail.com
mlbennett143@gmail.com
Executive Director,
Camilla Chamber of Commerce
jennifer@camillageorgia.com
CEO,
NEOS Technologies, Inc.
robert.collins@leverageneos.com
President,
Lee County Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority
ldavis@lee.ga.us
Executive Director,
Fitzgerald & Ben Hill Development Authority
jasondunn@fbcda.net
VP, Commercial Lender
Colony Bank
briley.edwards@colonybank.com
Owner,
Finnicum Motor Company
darrel@finnicummotorcompany.com
Retired
Curriculum Director, K-5
arthurford@bellsouth.net
Insurance & Marketing Consultant,
Capital City Strategic Wealth
Director of Rural Studies,
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
sgiles@abac.edu
CEO,
Phoebe Worth Medical Center
kgilman@ppmh.org
Key Account Manager,
Georgia Power Company
bdgrogan@southernco.com
Producer,
Houston & Associates Inc.
hayden@houstonai.com
President,
Webb Properties, Inc.
wahancock@webbproperties.com
Owner,
Café Campesino Coffee Roastery
Owner,
Hennesy Insurance Agency
jeff@hennesyinsurance.com
Project Manager, Region 8
Georgia Department of Economic Development
Ahurt@georgia.org
CFO/COO,
Horizons Community Solutions
jennifer.johnston@horizonscommunity.org
Owner,
Mary Ligon, etc.
Mary@maryligonetc.com
Business Development Director,
Cooper & Company General Contractors
betsy@coopergc.com
Retired
Director of Communications & Marketing
Vice President,
Mobley Gin Company
jmmobley03@gmail.com
Sergeant,
Georgia State Patrol
rpeck@gsp.net
Executive Director,
Sylvester-Worth County Economic Development Authority
karen@swcountychamber.com
President & CEO,
Georgia CEO
matt@georgiaceo.com
Director of Sales
Southern Valley
dug@southernvalley.us
GRA Outreach Coordinator,
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
tsimpson75@protonmail.com
President,
Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce
tbwillis@moultriechamber.com
Supervising U.S. Probation Officer,
U.S. Probation Office
kknwillis@gmail.com
Director,
Nashville Main Street
nashvillemainstreet@gmail.com
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