• Barbara A. Baker, Associate Professor of English at Tuskegee University
• Christine Baker, Manager, Regulatory and Pricing Design Team, Alabama Power
• joyce gillie gossom, Director of Branch Campuses for University of South Florida-Emerald Coast
• Sherry Martin, Consultant in Management Accounting, Atlanta Georgia
• Sally Rosser, National Criminal Justice Systems Expert and Founding Fellow for the Endowment of the Public Trust, Georgia

Barbara A. Baker
Associate Professor of English at Tuskegee University

Barbara A. Baker, PhD, Associate Professor of English at Tuskegee University is the author of The Blues Aesthetic and the Making of American Identity and Albert Murray and the Aesthetic Imagination of a Nation, as well as several articles exploring the intersections of Southern and black music, literature, and culture.  She has served as a United Negro College Fund/Mellon Foundation mentor and is the recipient of two grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities.  Dr. Baker was a professional musician for several years before entering academe. [BACK TO TOP]

Christine Baker
Manager, Regulatory and Pricing Design Team, Alabama Power

Christine Baker is the manager of the Regulatory and Pricing Design team for Alabama Power Company.  Christine received her Bachelor’s of Industrial Engineering from Auburn University in December of 1993.  She began her career with Alabama Power Company in January of 1994.  She has held various positions within the company including; Marketing, Power Contracts, Load Research, Financial Analysis, Regulatory Affairs and Pricing Services.  Christine lives in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, Brian and their two daughters, Jodie and Megan.  Christine enjoys traveling, painting and tailgating at Auburn football games. [BACK TO TOP]

joyce gillie gossom
Director of Branch Campuses for University of South Florida-Emerald Coast

Born in Chicago, Illinois, joyce received a bachelor of science degree in special education from Illinois State University in 1978, a master of education degree in adult education and supervision from Georgia Southern University in 1992, and an education doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of West Florida in December 2004. joyce has worked almost 30 years in academic and corporate professions. She has been a special education teacher in Chicago IL and Nashville TN; a management consultant in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama; and an instructional designer and program development supervisor for Georgia Power Company. joyce has also been a small business owner in Birmingham AL and a higher education instructor and administrator in Alabama and Florida. In 2004, she joined the University of West Florida. She currently serves as the Director of Branch Campuses for UWF-Emerald Coast in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Throughout her professional career, joyce has served as a member or on the Board of Directors with numerous civic, professional, and community organizations. [BACK TO TOP]

Sherry Martin
Consultant in Management Accounting, Atlanta Georgia

Sherry Martin is currently a Consultant specializing in management accounting.  Sherry earned a BS degree in Accounting from Auburn University.   She holds a Certified Management Accountant designation from the Institute of Management Accountants.   She has been trained in Six Sigma processes, earning a Green Belt Certification. Sherry has over 35 years experience in Fortune 200 corporations as a Management Accountant, including such companies as Black & Decker and Avery Dennison.   Her career highlights include Director of Finance, Controller, Financial Analyst for an Executive Vice President, Internal Auditor and Director of Cost.  At one point in her career she had reporting responsibility for 45 operating sites in 15 countries.  She has been through the transition of a merger between two large corporations and the following divestiture of a large division. After spending 17 years in Connecticut, Sherry and her husband have returned to the Atlanta area.  Now that she is semi-retired, she spends her time between homes in Atlanta, Auburn and Orange Beach.   Sherry enjoys traveling, reading, cooking and spending time with family and friends. [BACK TO TOP]

Sally Rosser
National Criminal Justice Systems Expert and Founding Fellow for the Endowment of the Public Trust, Georgia

President, Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children Foundation
GAHSCF creates, enhances and sustains opportunities that will lead to productive, engaged adulthood for foster children through a variety of programs that support the children directly and support and strengthen the foster families.

Founding Fellow, National Endowment for the Public Trust
National Endowment for the Public Trust’s purpose is to shift, if ever so slightly, the internal soul of America’s humanity toward a more just and principled America. 

Vice Chair, Democratic Party of Georgia
County Party Chairs and Congressional District Chairs
Advisory Board, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University

Advocate, Child Advocate and Strategic Consultant
Advocating for Georgia’s children on State and Federal policy through academics, public policy and practice. Guiding agencies responsible for at-risk youth through strategic planning and implementation.

Volunteer Activities
Church Council, Redeemer Lutheran Church
Chair, Community Outreach Board, Redeemer Lutheran Church
Board, Goshen Valley Boys Ranch [BACK TO TOP]