Leadership Albany, Inc.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet El Janeo Vereen: El Janeo (EJ) is the Chief Operations Officer at the Albany Area YMCA. In his role, he is responsible for providing leadership, management and vision necessary to ensure that the association has the proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures and people systems in place to effectively grow the organization and to ensure financial strength and operating efficiency.

In his free time, EJ is a former Deacon of Community Outreach at Antioch Baptist Church.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Becca Cook: Becca is an Executive Assistant at Colony Bank. In her role at, she is responsible for providing high-level administrative support and assistance to the CEO and other executives on the team.

In her free time, Becca is a bank leader at Colony Leadership Academy, Secretary for the Dougherty County Rotary Club and an ambassador for the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet George Lampkin, Jr.: George is an Assistant Chief of Staff G-6 Chief Information Officer for the United States Marine Corps. In his role at Marine Corps Logistics Command, he is responsible for providing management and leadership for an organizational department comprised of military, civilian and contractor personnel.

In his free time, George is involved with the Albany "Ties that Bind" Mentorship Program, a panel member/speaker at the Marine Corps Base Leadership and Mentoring Events and a past President/Senior Instructor for the SOWEGA Contemporary Ballroom Dance Group.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Jessica Sheets: Jessica is the Executive Director of Alpha Pregnancy Center. In her role, she is responsible for the oversight of the main office in Albany, as well as the four other offices located throughout Southwest Georgia. Her main responsibilities are recruiting and training new team members and volunteers, donor recruitment and management, overseeing a team of 9 paid and 50 volunteer team members, and keeping current and pregnancy related healthcare trends and needs within the community.

In her free time, Jessica is a member at Sherwood Baptist Church and has spent many years working with the children's ministry.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Kendall Hodge: Kendall is the Deputy Director for the Utility Operations for the City of Albany. In his role, he performs specialized managerial work functions associated with the day-to-day operations of the Utility Operations Departments that produces and distributes electricity, gas and water to the City of Albany.

Kendall says that his most significant contribution as a professional is being able to coach/mentor subordinates and takes pride in seeing them develop their leadership skills/competencies and flourish in their careers.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Larecia Gill: Larecia is the Director of Education at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. In her role, she serves as the director over various assigned nursing related areas such as the Simulation and Innovation Center and Nursing Education Department. She is responsible for ensuring compliance with patient care quality standards as it relates to the care provided to all age groups. She maintains performance improvement activities within the department and participates in CQI activities.

In her free time, Larecia is involved with St. Jude's Partner in Hope, is an American Heart Association BLS instructor, and hosts student groups from the community in the Simulation & Innovation Center for exposure to health professions.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Michele Anduze: Michele is the Peer Program Manager/Peer Specialist at American Work, LLC. In her role at American Work, LLC, she is responsible for identifying client needs and developing a recovery plan, teaching and encouraging peers to practice self-advocacy and connecting peers with community support and resources.

In her free time, Michele is an organizer of the Women's Wellness Forum, a committee member for the Recovery in the Streets event, a recovery advocate for Private Residence, Inc., and a member of the planning committee for The Love Gathering.

Leadership Albany is celebrating 40 years of building bridges in our community. Mark your calendars to join us at the Albany Civic Center on September 26!! More information to follow..

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Rick Lambert: Rick is the Owner/Operator of First Media Services - WKAK/WJAD/WQVE/WNOU. In his role he is responsible for the operations of five radio stations in Albany, GA, as well as fifteen in West Virginia and Virginia.

In his free time, Rick is a board member in charge of advertising and an on-going financial contributor for the Albany Area Crime Stoppers, a member of Sherwood Baptist Church, part of the Albany United Way Financial Stability Impact Team and a member of the Albany Rotary Club.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Megan Verner: Megan is the Agribusiness Instructor at the 4C Academy and an Office Manager at Elite Ag. In her role the 4C Academy, she is responsible for the agribusiness pathway, the 4C garden and the 4C hydroponics greenhouse. At Elite Ag, she is responsible for payroll, staff management and marketing efforts.

In her free time, Megan is a member of the Lee County FFA Advisory Board. She says that one of her most notable accomplishments she's proud of is establishing a flourishing farming equipment dealership entirely from the ground up with her husband. Megan is also very proud of her role at the 4C Academy where she has the opportunity to shape the next generation into successful business owners or accomplished employees.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Venessa McKinney: Venessa is the Leadership Development Coordinator for Albany State University. In her role, she is responsible for the development of leadership and campus involvement among the students on campus. She provides administrative oversight to a variety of programs and clubs and acts as a liaison to staff overseeing other student clubs.

In her free time, Venessa volunteers with the Junior League of Albany, Inc. where she serves on the board as the Community Service Chair. She is also the Coordinator of Student Efforts for the Foster Angels Project, is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and volunteers with March of Dimes, Relay for Life and Light the Night Walk, held by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Lee Powell: Lee is the PPG Human Resources Director for Phoebe Physician Practice Group. In his role, he is responsible for providing oversight to HR and recruitment functions. His responsibilities include being liaison to health system corporate HR team, employee conflict resolution, provider and advance provider recruitment supervision, strategic leader partnership, training/development, project advancement and fiscal/budget ownership.

In his free time, Lee can be seen at Grace City Church's monthly community service day and each week as part of the service support team. He is also a member at large on the Phoebe Diversity Council.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet LaToyia Watts Jackson: LaToyia is the Principal of Live Oak Elementary School in the Dougherty County School System. In her role, she is the servant leader for over 100 faculty, staff and over 700 students and their parents. She serves as a change agent and transformational leader who will provide a solid foundation of learning, social emotional wellness and global citizenship for the students. As an educator, she is the instructional leader and organizational manager of the school.

In her free time, LaToyia is the First Vice President for the Delta Eta Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Delta Eta Omega Chapter MLK Day of Service and Program Chairman, and is a Sunday School and Wednesday night Bible School teacher, as well as participates on numerous committees, at Gaines Avenue Church of Christ.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Kirstin Collins: Kirstin is the Director of Events and Publications at American Peanut Shellers Association. In her role, she is responsible for managing all aspects of planning and organizing meets and special events, including planning and executing the annual USA Peanut Congress, partnering with President Jimmy Carter and the Friends of Jimmy Carter and Plains Better Hometown organization annually to host the Plains Peanut Festival, planned and executed the American Peanut Shellers 100th Anniversary Gala, partnering with The Peanut Institute to plan and host the annual Media, Bloggers, and Influencers Tour at the Culinary Institute of America and promoting peanut nutrition at the annual School Nutrition Conference Exhibition.

In her free time, Kirstin has held various board roles with The Junior League of Albany, GA and as an active member of 100 Women Who Care.

Nominations for the 2025 Class of Leadership Albany are now open!!
We believe that effective leaders improve the quality of life for our communities through positive influence. We are calling on our alumni to help us continue this mission. Nominate those deserving leaders that can help us push Albany and Southwest Georgia forward.

Nominations must be submitted by alumni. You can nominate online. Click the link below to nominate. The deadline is Friday, May 31.

https://forms.gle/mVd3x6fjymAkVUK66

Nominations for the 2025 Class of Leadership Albany are now open!!

We believe that effective leaders improve the quality of life for our communities through positive influence. We are calling on our alumni to help us continue this mission. Nominate those deserving leaders that can help us push Albany and Southwest Georgia forward.

Nominations must be submitted by alumni. You can nominate online. Click the link below to nominate. The deadline is May 31.

https://forms.gle/mVd3x6fjymAkVUK66

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Semario Wiggins Sr.: Semario is the Workforce Development Specialist at the Department of Labor. In his role, he is responsible for reviewing proposed legislation or regulations which would significantly change the basic character of agency programs, the way the agency conducts its business with the public or with private industry, or which modify important inter-agency relationships. This ensures that reviews of the national training and career transition programs on a regular basis to determine which workforce development pipelines and occupational areas are current and will lead to the placement of students into needed area of employment; recommends changes to national training contractor programs in accordance with established performance criteria and current labor market projections and program goals.

In his free time, Semario is an alumni member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity-Inc., head basketball coach at St. Teresa Middle and High School, a coach at Georgia Stars-South AAU, a community partner with Albany State University's Stronger Together and is on the Board of Directors at Albany State University.

ICYMI: The Leadership Albany Class of 2024, presented by Flint Community Bank and Albany Tech Foundation, Inc., continued their leadership journey last week discovering Albany.

The day highlighted the best of what Downtown Albany has to offer while educating the class on the economic, health/wellness, entertainment and educational impact that Downtown Albany has on the Southwest Georgia community.

A special thank you to the program day sponsors, Coldwell Banker Walden and Kirkland, Inc. Realtors, Visit Albany, Downtown Albany and Leadership Albany Class of 2023 alumni Sarah Lukes. Also, kudos to our program day chairs Harry Day and Sarah Lukes for putting together a great day for the Class of 2024.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Jessica Davenport: Jessica is the Owner and General Manager at All American Fun Park. In her role, she is responsible for all of the company's financials, insurance, human resources, license and safety renewals, maintaining inventory, marketing, community outreach and new product development.

Jessica leverages her resources to sponsor multiple local non-profits including the Liberty House Denim and Pearl event, Cancer Ties' 5k, and Habitat for Humanity's Hammer Jam. In addition to financial contributions, she has organized seasonal goody baskets to be assembled and donated to the children at the Liberty House at Easter and on Halloween, as well as to the children on Phoebe's pediatric floor during Christmas. She is also involved with many of the surrounding school systems and donates good behavior and reading goal incentives to the elementary students.

Nominations for the 2025 Class of Leadership Albany are now open!!
We believe that effective leaders improve the quality of life for our communities through positive influence. We are calling on our alumni to help us continue this mission. Nominate those deserving leaders that can help us push Albany and Southwest Georgia forward.
Nominations must be submitted by alumni. You can nominate online. Click the link below to nominate. The deadline is May 31.
https://forms.gle/mVd3x6fjymAkVUK66

The Leadership Albany Class of 2024, presented by Flint Community Bank and Albany Tech Foundation, Inc., continues it's leadership journey today with an incredible day downtown. Whether you have lived here all your life, or just a short while, you will meet some great community leaders that will help you "Discover Albany" in ways you've never imaged.

The day promises to highlight the best of what Downtown Albany has to offer while educating the class on the economic, health/wellness, entertainment and educational impact that Downtown Albany has on the Southwest Georgia community.

A special thank you to our program day sponsors, Coldwell Banker Walden and Kirkland, Inc. Realtors, Visit Albany, Downtown Albany and Leadership Albany Class of 2023 alumni Sarah Lukes. Also, kudos to our program day chairs Harry Day and Sarah Lukes for putting together a great day for the Class of 2024.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Perry Ford Jr.: Perry is an engineering associate with the City of Albany. In his role, he is responsible for ensuring commercial residents are provided the least amount of waste into the city's sewers and storm water pipes. He provides state-regulated checklists to individuals and businesses looking to build on, or redevelop, land for commercial usage. Essentially, it is his responsibility to keep the environment free from oils, chemicals, grease and petroleum leaks.

In his free time, Perry can be seen as a referee at a youth sporting event or volunteering as a member of the Albany-Area Chamber of Commerce.

Georgia Chamber President & CEO Chris Clark will host the New Georgia Economy Tour this Thursday, May 9, in Albany Georgia at the Albany State University CW Grant Student Union Center. Registration and breakfast buffet begins at 7:30 AM. The program will begin promptly at 8:00 AM and adjourn at 9:15 AM. To register, please visit www.gachamber.com/Albany-NGE. We hope to see you in attendance as the Georgia Chamber sheds light on the vital steps being taken to pave the way for Georgia's future.

“What Is The New Georgia Economy Tour?

For over a century, the Georgia Chamber has helped businesses and communities mitigate risk, take advantage of opportunities, and better understand the changes impacting our state.

Today, Georgia’s society and economy are rapidly changing and circumstances have changed how we address innovation, what we consider community, how we work, and ultimately how we approach life. From free enterprise, diversity, and talent to healthcare, infrastructure, innovation, and rural Georgia, we want to explore what comes next and how we plan for the future.

Through a series of in-person events known collectively as the New Georgia Economy (NGE) Tour, the Georgia Chamber will share data and information from our state’s communities to build a comprehensive planning strategy.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Maggie Lewis: Maggie is a Mortgage Lender at AB&T. In her role, she is responsible for helping buyers become homeowners and helping current homeowners with refinancing their homes by watching mortgage rates, giving advice about different loan types and understanding the needs of the clients.

In her free time, Maggie serves on the Lee County Family Connection Executive Board and has volunteered with the Kiwanis Club of Lee County.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Dr. La Shonda Flanders: La Shonda is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Dougherty County School System. In her role, she is responsible for supporting strategic initiatives that correlate with the DCSS Strategic Plan. She also oversees and supports the Department of Student Services and Empowerment (school social workers, guidance counselors and school nurses).

In her free time, Dr. Flanders is the current President of the Georgia Association of Curriculum and Instructional Supervisors, on the Georgia Cognia State Advisory Committee and serves with the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders.

🗣 Introducing the BCE – 2024! 🎉

Meet Ryan Watson: Ryan is the Vice President, Retail Market Leader at Synovus Bank. In his role, he is responsible for leading and developing a team of bankers in Albany and Tifton that provide customers with knowledge, product recommendations and excellent customer service that allows them to keep their money safe in a safe environment. He also advises customers on proper lending and deposit products that help them grow their wealth and make the best decisions for their financial health.

In his free time, Ryan has volunteered with the American Red Cross, the Lee County Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Albany-Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Leadership Albany Class of 2024, presented by Flint Community Bank and Albany Tech Foundation, Inc., continues it's leadership journey today with an incredible day planned around "Building Bridges in our Community,” where the class will spend the day exploring some of the natural resources that make the Albany area community so unique and special.

Despite rain in the forecast, class members will get to learn about the impact natural resources has on the area. The economic impact from agribusiness alone is staggering as it is continually ranked the number one industry in Georgia. The class will learn about hunting tourism and the recreational aspects of the outdoor spaces around us.

A special thank you to our program day sponsor, Mike Gonzalez with Pro Outdoor Landscape Management. Also, kudos to our program day chairs Jackie Entz, Taylor Jenkins and Lisa Stephens for putting together a great day for the Class of 2024.