February 29, 2016 - Albany, GA -Albany Technical College President, Dr. Anthony O. Parker, has appointed a new Special Assistant to the President. Lorraine Alexander will begin her new position at Albany Tech on Tuesday, March 1, 2016.
Currently serving as the Community Impact Director for the United Way of Southwest Georgia, Alexander comes to Albany Tech with over 30 years of experience in community relations. At the United Way of Southwest Georgia, she has acted as a liaison between United Way and more than 20 regional non-profit organizations, including communications, allocations, and other community initiatives. She also coordinated the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program for a seven-county region and co-managed United Way's VISA project.
Her accomplishments with United Way include involvement in strategic planning with the organization's Board of Directors to focus their business plan and proactively address health and human service needs facing the community; worked with United Way agencies to achieve community impact, while streamlining the allocations and reporting process; improved agency and community relations through communications outreach, such as newsletters and other media; and supervised several community events, such as the Summer Youth Volunteer Program, The Volunteer Center Awards Program, Back-to-School Supplies Giveaway, VITA Income Tax Preparation Super Saturdays, and Emergency Planning Workshop for United Way agencies.
Prior to her time with United Way, Alexander served as the Public Affairs Manager for 24 years at Merck & Co., Inc., Manufacturing Division, Albany. In her position at Merck, she designed and managed the public relations and employee relations functions for the plant. She wrote and edited an employee newsletter, conducted creative and effective communications initiatives for the community, including environmental impact outreach, and acted as the media contact and plant spokesperson in proactive and crisis situations.
"Lorraine brings a skillset to Albany Tech that will greatly benefit the college and our Foundation," said Glenn Singfield, President and Owner of Artesian Contracting and Chair of the Albany Tech Foundation Board.
"Mrs. Alexander has served our community well, from both the corporate and philanthropic environment," said Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Technical College. "She supported higher education as the Director of Community Relations at Merck and in that capacity, she also supported a proposal that was partially responsible for the startup of the ATC Pharmacy Technology program. At United, she played a role in implementing the annual campaign and her skillset fits our needs. We welcome her to the Titan family."
Alexander holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Broadcasting from Brenau University and a Certificate in Corporate Community Involvement Management from Boston College's Carroll School of Management. She currently serves on the advisory committees for A Place 4 Hope and Albany-Dougherty Coalition to End Homelessness. She is past Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Girls Incorporated of Albany's Board of Directors, where she also served as both Chair and Co-Chair of the Mistletoe Market. She was a member of the Junior League of Albany from 1995 to 1997.
"I am honored to be joining the dynamic team at Albany Technical College," said Alexander. "I look forward to bringing a diverse skillset to the work that the college does in our community and with my years of experience in the corporate world and non-profit sector, I feel that combining best practices from both of these areas will be my objective as we move forward at Albany Tech."
Alexander will replace Joe Najjar, who has served the college for 21 years and will retire at the end of March.
Lorraine Alexander, new Special Assistant to the President at Albany Technical College.