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Speakers 2008
agenda > description > faculty in residence > interns > slideshow of activities > speakers > students
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Allison O’Sullivan Allison O’Sullivan has 19 years of business experience with 11 years of that in the insurance industry. She has held the position of Director of Risk Management for The Coca-Cola Company since January 1, 1997. Prior to this position, Allison held various positions in the Risk Management Department. She has managed international, global, multi–year and multi–line programs, and deals primarily with the financing aspects of risk management. She has also been actively involved with the management of large and sensitive claims. Ms. O’Sullivan held various positions in accounting prior to joining the Risk Management Department in June of 1993. Prior to joining The Coca-Cola Company, Allison was an audit manager with KPMG, Peat Marwick. She graduated from Auburn University with an accounting degree and obtained her CPA in the State of Alabama. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Beverlye Brady Beverlye Brady has advised clients as an attorney in the areas of domestic relations, custody, enforcement, adoptions, probate, and corporations for over 20 years. She is a graduate of Auburn University and Cumberland Law School. She has also served in numerous leadership roles including: Board of Directors for the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, President, Lee County Bar Association, President, Kiwanis Club, Co-Chair Women’s Philanthropy Board Corporate Partners Committee. She has been named “Woman of the Year” by the Opelika Business and Professional Women Council. In addition to her law practice, Brady currently owns and operates Queenie’s Cookies, LLC.[BACK TO TOP] |
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Carol Sue Nelson A 1974 summa cum laude Auburn University alumna with a degree in Political Science, Ms. Nelson is an attorney at Maynard, Cooper and Gale law firm in Birmingham. Her practice focuses on employment litigation and advising and counseling clients on employment issues. She routinely counsels and advises clients in the healthcare industry, the insurance and financial industry, as well as manufacturing entities and municipalities on EEO matters, FMLA, ADA, FLSA, and affirmative action issues. She also handles arbitrations and represents clients in administrative matters before the EEOC and the OFCCP.Ms. Nelson has successfully tried cases before juries in both federal and state court. She received her law degree in 1977 from Cumberland School of Law magna cum laude and Curia Honoris. She is admitted to practice in Alabama, the United States Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Court for Northern, Southern, and Middle Districts of Alabama. Ms. Nelson was named one of The Best Lawyers in America®, 2005 2008, Labor and Employment Law; Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2004-2008, Employment; and one of the Birmingham Business Journal’s Top Birmingham Women 2007. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section and Litigation Section; the Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow; the Alabama State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section; the Alabama Law Institute; the Birmingham Bar Association, former member of Executive Committee; and the Standing Committee on Rules of Conduct and Canons of Judicial Ethics. Hercivic activities include Chair of the Governor’s Alabama Women’s Commission; Cumberland School of Law, Dean’s Advisory Committee; Auburn University College of Liberal Arts, Dean’s Advisory Council; The Women’s Network; Drive out Breast Cancer and Voices Against Domestic Violence. Ms. Nelson enjoys playing golf and horseback riding. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Catherine F. Neiner For over fifteen years, Catherine F. Neiner has specialized in working with students at the graduate and undergraduate levels as well as corporate clients in their search for satisfying careers. Her clients have included colleges and universities in the United States and Latin America and Fortune 500 firms. Her research revolves around the accuracy of students’ perceptions of their first jobs after graduation. Through coaching, advising and counseling, Ms. Neiner has supported students in their exploration of self and identification of personal qualities for both career success and life satisfaction. Currently, Ms. Neiner is Director of Career Planning for Agnes Scott College. Previously, she was Director of MBA Career Services at Georgia Tech. Ms. Neiner was a founding member of the MBA Career Services Council and served on the first board of directors. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of Colleges and Employers. In addition, she has held leadership positions in a number of professional organizations. She has been an invited presenter at career management conferences and has published articles on interviewing, career search strategies and communications. A Fulbright grantee, Ms. Neiner studied in Berlin in October 2006. She is an alumna of the University of Georgia, and resides in Atlanta, Georgia USA. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Dr. Chenavis Evans Director of Implemention Services for Total System Services, Inc. (TSYS), Chenavis C. Evans is a native of Auburn, Alabama. Dr. Evans holds four degrees from Auburn University, which includes a B.A. in Psychology, M.Ed in Counselor Education, MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and a Ph. D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Dr. Evans has over 15 years of consulting, strategic planning, training and project management experience. Dr. Evans is responsible for the company’s overall strategic corporate leadership and organizational development initiatives both domestically and internationally. She is currently a member of the Society of Industrial Psychology, Chairperson Columbus SHRM Legislative Committee, serves on the HR advisory committee for Congressman Westmoreland, State of Georgia, and a founding fellow for the National Endowment for the Public Trust. In addition to her professional career at TSYS, Dr. Evans is an entrepreneur, the Co-Founder of ROC Schools of Excellence, and a public speaker. She also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Colonel Jeanne Picariello Jeanne M. Picariello (Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired) is a member of the United States Olympic Committee where she is the Chair of the Multi-Sport Organizations Council. She served as the Chef de Mission for the 2004 USA Paralympic Team in Athens, Greece. In 2005, she worked with the American Red Cross as Manager, Staff Health in Gulfport, Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. She is also serving on the Board of Directors, Alabama Fair Housing Center in Montgomery, Alabama. Jeanne is a doctoral student in the PhD. program in Public Administration & Public Policy at Auburn University. She was previously the Director of Soldier and Family Support at the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center in Alexandria, VA. As the Director, Colonel Picariello executed oversight responsibility for Army wide family and soldier programs (Child Development, Family Advocacy, Fitness, Army Entertainment and the World Class Athlete Program). Prior to that tour she served as Commandant ofthe U.S. Army Physical Fitness School in Ft Benning, GA, with responsibilities for fitness programs involving all military personnel. Colonel Picariello spent ten years as an Army nurse in burn care, ICU and CCU. She later served as Chief of Health Promotion for US Southern Command in Panama and spearheaded Army Health and Wellness programs in Germany, in the Pentagon and at the Army War College. During and after the Gulf War, she worked with combat troops in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. She holds a Masters Degree from the University of Washington in cardiovascular nursing and exercise physiology. Her military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. Colonel Picariello was also the first recipient of the Margaret Cochran Corbin Award for Distinguished Military Service from the Daughters of the American Revolution. Jeanne, a former member of the All-Army Track Team, is an avid runner and swimmer. She was the first woman ever selected to the U.S. Modem Pentathlon Team in 1975 and participated in the Pentathlon World Cup in 1977. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Connie Dudley Connie Dudley, Executive Vice President of Total Systems Services (TSYS) is a native of Columbus, GA. Dudley began her career in 1976 with Columbus Bank and Trust (CB&T) a subsidiary of Synovus Financial Services and the former parent company of Total System Services, Inc. (TSYS). A graduate of theAmerican Bankers Association with over 30 years of experience in thef inancial and Information Technology Services, Dudley is recognized as an innovator and thought leader in the industry. She provides leadership and oversight in the following areas: new product and client development, client training and documentation, TSYS Consultative Services, Innovation Services, OrganizationalEffectiveness and TSYS Corporate Project Office. In addition, Dudley has beena pioneer in launching premier initiatives both domestically and internationally such as AT&T Universal Card, TS2 Platform Card Processing, Europeanization of TS2 platform, and the initial launch into Japan. Continuing to define and align the overall corporate goals with the strategic direction of the company, Dudley, leads the organization’s re–engineering efforts in IT leadership, data analytics, and software re–engineering by establishing TSYS first Distinguish Professorship in collaboration with a major university. Dudley’s ability to bridge the gap between academia and corporate America will continue to position TSYS as a leader in the Payment and Financial Services Industry. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Donna Gallagher Donna Gallagher is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the PACE Center for Girls, Inc, where she is responsible for 17 Centers across Florida, serving approximately 900 at-risk girls daily, along with the PACE Institute, which provides training and technical assistance to governments and girl serving agencies across the country. Prior to joining PACE as the Chief Operating Officer in 2001, Donna served as Chief Financial Officer for the Jacksonville, Florida affiliate of Habitat for Humanity and as the Regional MIS Director, Controller, and Foundation CFO of the Children’s Home Society, a statewide child welfare agency. Prior to her years in nonprofits, Ms. Gallagher, a CPA, spent 15 years in banking and was Vice President of a national bank in Florida where she held various positions in technology, auditing, and financial reporting. A graduate of Auburn University’s School of Accounting Ms. Gallagher pursued graduate studies at Mercer University–Atlanta and the University of North Florida. Having completed a year of training funded by the Community Building Fund of the Jesse Ball duPont Foundation, Donna serves as a volunteer Community Coach for nonprofit agencies in Jacksonville. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Dr. Christa Slaton Dr. Christa Slaton is a Professor in the Department of Political Science with Interests in Public Law, Non–Judicial Conflict Resolution, Political Thought, Electoral Behavior and Public Opinion, and Women in Politics. She fills a new position in the college, where she is responsible for of educational initiatives in the college, space allocation, graduate studies and outreach. In 2007, she received the Auburn University Award for Excellence in Faculty Outreach for her work with the community of Uniontown. Slaton’s involvement with university outreach began long before her arrival at Auburn in 1993. While at the University of Hawaii in the 1980s, she was one of the designers of a method of deliberative public opinion polling and helped establish the first neighborhood justice center in Hawaii. A native of South Carolina, Slaton earned her Ph.D. in political science in 1990 and taught at Georgia Southern University before joining the political science faculty at Auburn three years later. At Auburn, before joining the dean’s office in the College of Liberal Arts, she served as director of the master of public administration program and director of the elections administration program in the Department of Political Science. [BACK TO TOP] |
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joyce gillie gossom 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] |
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Julie Kerlin Julie Kerlin serves as the director of state relations for the Medical College of Georgia. Ms. Kerlin is responsible for strategic legislative planning and advocacy and serves as MCG’s liaison to the General Assembly, executive agencies, stateb oards and commissions, and advocacy organization. Formerly, Ms. Kerlin was the director of communications for the Department of Community Health, Ms. Kerlin developing and implementing communication strategies for departmental programs, including fiscal budget and legislative issues, as well as managing the media and public relations activities for the agency. As the department’s legislative and constituent services liaison from 2000–03, she helped monitor the department’s then–$6 billion budget and legislation relating to health care, including Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids, the State Health Benefit Plan and regulatory and planning issues. Ms. Kerlin previously was the public relations and public information officer for the Georgia Building Authority, where she also served as a liaison to the Commission for the Preservation of the State Capitol. She worked on the election campaign for former Georgia Gov. Joe Frank Harris and served as a member of his staff for eight years. Ms. Kerlin is a member of Government Communicators, the Atlanta Press Club and the College of Liberal Arts’ Dean’s Advisory Council. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international trade from Auburn University. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Kay Fuston A twenty–four year veteran of magazine publishing, Kay A. Fuston is Vice President and Editor–in–Chief of Coastal Living Magazine, a national publication that reaches 4 million readers. Kay began her career at Southern Living, where she held a number of positions, including Editorial Coordinator, Production Manager, and Copy Chief. In 1996, she was named Managing Editor of Weight Watchers Magazine. In April 2001, Kay joined Coastal Living as Executive Editor, and within a few months was promoted to Editor–in Chief. During her tenure, Coastal Living has won several prestigious Editorial Excellence Awards and was named to Ad Week’s Hot List for 2002. Kay serves on the guest faculties of the New York University Summer Publishing Institute and the University of Denver’s Publishing Institute. Additionally, she is chair of the Advisor y Board for Auburn Magazine. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Kay earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Auburn University. When not in the office—or traveling coast to coast—she enjoys spending time with her husband, Roger, and their two children, Sarah, 16, and Sam, 13. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Laura B. Glenn Laura Buik Glenn is an Investment Officer for the State of Georgia. Ms. Glenn has primary responsibility for managing the state’s two AAA rated investment pools, Georgia Fund 1 (a stable NAV fund) and the Georgia Extended Asset Pool (GEAP), a variable NAV bond fund. Ms. Glenn also manages a portion of the state’s reserves. In addition, she is also responsible for reviewing the performance of the outside money managers’ for the self–insurance funds. Prior to joining the State of Georgia in 1996, Ms. Glenn was a portfolio manager for SunTrust Banks in Atlanta, Georgia. In this capacity, Ms. Glenn had responsibility for managing the Georgia and Tennessee affiliate banks’ portfolios in regards to each bank’s individual asset/ liability profile. Before joining the Portfolio Administration Department, Ms. Glenn was an accountant in the Investment Banking division. Ms. Glenn is a graduate of Auburn University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. In 2002,Ms. Glenn was awarded a CFA charter by the CFA Institute. Ms. Glenn currently serves as Vice President of the Government Investment Officers’ Association. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Laura Young Palmer Laura Young Palmer graduated from Auburn University in 1970 with a B.A. in Foreign Languages. She is currently Senior Vice President for SunTrust Bank and formerly served as the Division Manager of Fiduciary Services. She received her Financial Services Certification from the National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University in 1982 and became a Certified Financial Planner in November, 1999. In addition to over 20 years of service with SunTrust Bank, Laura was also an entrepreneur in Atlanta from 1988–1994 with Palmer &Associates, and worked in corporate and entertainment public relations with Rogers& Cowan in Los Angeles from 1987–1988. Laura has also found the time to serve her community by being a member of the Atlanta Estate Planning Council and the Atlanta Humane Society. Most recently, Laura was appointed president of the Dean’s Advisory Council in the College of Liberal Arts. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Lecia Brooks began her journey of social activism in Oakland, California. After earning her bachelor’s of arts degree in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, she set forth on her path of social justice advocacy. It was in California that she gained a sense of purpose and cemented her commitment to service. Lecia studied elementary education at National University in Los Angeles and began her five-year career as an educator for the second largest public school district in the U.S. — Los Angeles Unified School District. There, she was given the opportunity to serve recently arrived immigrant fifth grade students. Determined to continue her passion for advocating for those who are often marginalized, Lecia joined the National Conference for Community & Justice (NCCJ) as the Director of Special Projects and Youth Programs. She furthered her commitment to fighting bias, bigotry and racism though advocacy, conflict resolution and education. While there she designed and directed residential girl camp programs for the Tyra Banks Foundation and was chosen by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office to create anti–hate courses for first–time juvenile offenders and their parents. Lecia also represented NCCJ through numerous, highly acclaimed broadcast and print outlets including: The Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC World News Tonight with CaroleSimpson, the MacNeil/Lehrer Repor t, Los Angeles Times and LA Weekly. In 2004, Lecia moved to Montgomery, Alabama to join rights advocacy organizations in the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). She began as the Director of Mix It Up, a youth activist initiative of the nationally renowned Teaching Tolerance program. She now serves as Director of SPLC’s Civil Rights Memorial Center. Lecia is also committed to civic engagement. She serves on the board of Equality Alabama, Encompass Youth Organization (Los Angeles), and Sequoyah School (Pasadena, CA) and is a recent graduate of Leadership Montgomery (Alabama). She has one son and a granddaughter and enjoys watching foreign films, gardening, and engaging in meaningful dialogue. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Lt. Gen. Leslie F. Kenne Deputy Chief of Staff for Warfighting Integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. Leslie Kenne is responsible to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff for forming and executing policy and strategy to integrate command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to enable more effective employment of air and space power in support of national objectives. General Kenne also provides guidance and direction to four field operating agencies: the Air Force Command and Control & Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center; the Air Force Communications Agency; the Air Force Frequency Management Agency; and the Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation. General Kenne entered the Air Force in 1971 as a distinguished graduate of Auburn University’s ROTC program and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. She has served as a flight line maintenance officer in operations, and attended the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in 1974. After school, she served as a test and evaluation project manager, and in test and evaluation supervisory positions. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Phyllis Day Davis Phyllis Day Davis recently retired from Vulcan Materials having spent almost 30 years with the company. Davis held several management positions with Vulcan including Director of Internal Audit, Director of Corporate Accounting, and Controller for the Southern and Gulf Coast Division. She has an extensive background in corporate financial analysis, auditing and accounting. Davis earned her Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Auburn University in 1972 and a Master of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University. She serves on the Auburn University College of Business Advisory Council, School of Accountancy Advisory Council, and the Business Council of Alabama. A resident of Birmingham, she also finds time to give back to her community. Davis has been involved with the Girl Scouts of North Central Alabama, the Alabama Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Alabama Federation of Republican Women. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Sally Jones Hill A 1963 Auburn University graduate in Liberal Arts, Hill has been very involved with the university since her time as a student. She was presented with the Algeron Sydney Sullivan Award in 1963, was director of the Auburn University Alumni Association from 1978–1980 and served on the Business Advisory Council. Hill was honored as the recipient of the Distinguished Service Key in 1998 and was the first woman to be named the Laurel Crowned Circle Recipient in 2003. She has served as the vice president of Chi Omega, vice president and president of the Women’s Student Government Association, a member of the AU Alumni Board and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council of the College of Business. She also served as Chair of the Auburn University Foundation Board and Co–Chair of the “It Begins at Auburn” Campaign, which was the most successful fund–raising campaign to date for Auburn University and the state of Alabama. Hill has recently been named the President of the Women’s Philanthropy Board in the College of Human Sciences. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Dr. Susan Fillippeli Dr. Fillippeli is the founder of Phronêsis Consulting, and is dedicated to helping clients improve their ability to communicate with a target audience. Dr. Fillippeli holds a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa, an M.A. from the University of Georgia, and a B.A. from Appalachian State University. She has held faculty positions at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, The University of Puget Sound, and most recently, Auburn University. Dr. Fillippeli left Auburn University in 2001 to found Phronêsis Consulting, but returned to Auburn as an adjunct instructor in 2003 teaching a senior level course in Political Communication. In 2003, Dr. Fillippeli was appointed by Governor Bob Riley to serve on the Alabama Women’s Commission. In February of 2004, she was elected chairman of the Alabama Third Congressional District Republican Executive Committee was and re elected in 2005 and 2007. Dr. Fillippeli is currently the communication specialist for HDI Solutions, Inc./Health Information Designs, Inc. ,where she develops internal and external communication strategies. Dr. Fillippeli serves on the Lee County Republican Executive Committee, the Alabama State Executive Committee as well as the Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Susan Parker The “Susan Parker Story”, as it was called, was told throughout Alabama during2002 as she campaigned as the first woman ever nominated by either party in Alabama for the U. S. Senate. People were inspired by the television commercials showing Susan in the cotton field where she learned the lessons of hard work and determination. Susan’s humble beginnings on a small farm in Eva, Alabama, her rise from being engaged at 14, married at 17 and living in a mobile home, to being elected as State Auditor of the State of Alabama were an inspiration to many. She told about working full time during the day and attending night school for thirteen years to earn four college degrees including a PhD. In Administration of Higher Education and about her desire to give back to others the many opportunities she had been given. Prior to becoming State Auditor, Dr. Parker worked for twenty-five years in higher education, where she earned accolades for her fundraising leadership as Development Officer at Athens State University and her many achievements as Public Relations officer for Calhoun State Community College. Her work there and her hundreds of hours of community service earned her the prestigious, “Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award” by the U. S. Jaycees. Currently, Dr. Parker is serving in the office of Public Service Commissioner, a statewide office, which regulates utilities in Alabama. [BACK TO TOP] |
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Virginia Wetherell Virginia B. Wetherell is a 25 year resident of the state of Florida with a Bachelor’s of Science from Auburn University and Master’s degree from Jacksonville State University. She has served in both the public and private sectors in a variety of leadership roles. Before entering the public service arena, she had a successful business career including Board of Directors, Pepsi Bottling Co., Pensacola–Vice President, Coastal Transportation–Vice President, Gator Vend. In 1982, she was the first female ever elected to the Florida House of Representatives from Pensacola. She was also the first woman ever re–elected to the Florida House from West Florida and the first female from the region to chair a major committee (International Travel and Economic Development) and to serve on the powerful Appropriations Committee. In 1991, she was unanimously named by the Governor and Cabinet as Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources, the first woman to ever hold that position. In 1993, she was appointed by the Governor as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Regulation and was subsequently appointed the Secretary of the newly created Department of Environmental Protection until1998. She is currently President and CEO of Wetherell Consulting a full service government relations and political strategies company. [BACK TO TOP] |
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