THE ALBANY HERALD • 40 UNDER 40 • Tuesday, April 29, 2014 • www.albanyherald.com 21
Melissa Strother MB Strother Designs
Melissa Strother is the small business owner of M.B. Strother Designs where she is an artist and graphic designer. M.B. Strother Designs specializes in event promotion, logo design, social stationery, invitations, and wedding items. She is a graduate of Deerfield-Windsor School and Auburn University where she majored in Human Development and Family Studies. Melissa frequently donates her time and talent to local organizations such as the Cancer Coalition, Albany Museum of Art, Flint Riverquarium, and Liberty House. Melissa is the organizer for Albany Little Libraries and Birdhouse Books, a unique program that brings little libraries to neighborhoods, businesses, and other areas of the community. The Little Libraries are free to the public and have a “take one now, leave one later” book policy. Melissa’s commitment to Albany runs deep as she is a 6th generation Albanian and has a strong personal interest in the future of Albany. In 2010, she ran for Albany City Commissioner and narrowly lost a controversial election. Not to be discouraged and determined to make a difference, she is currently running for District 4 Dougherty County School Board. Melissa is married to Jay Strother and they have 2 children, Jack, 4 and Olive, 18 months. She is the daughter of Vicki and Richard Barnhill and the granddaughter of Kay Hind.
Melissa Bello Sumner Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
Melissa Bello Sumner is the Student Volunteer Coordinator for Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia. She has been working the last year in partnering with the health occupation programs in Lee County and Dougherty County High School systems for strategic partnerships and experiences for students. She also works closely with Allied Health instructors and program coordinators at the local colleges and technical schools, facilitating the credentialing of these students as they enter the system. Professionally she has worked in different facets of human resources since 2006 including hiring, recruiting, and benefits. She graduated from the University of Florida, in Gainesville, with a Bachelor’s degree in Management and earned her Master’s in Human Resources from Nova Southeastern University. Originally from Miami, FL, Melissa has been an active member of the Albany community since moving here three years ago. Melissa is involved in many community organizations and activities. She was a Silent Auction Committee Member – Girls Inc. in 2013. She was a Latino Big Read Committee Member 2013-2014 (a grant funded program via Albany State University and community partners), and volunteered at the Girls Inc. Bag Lady Event Fashion Show in 2013. She is actively involved in the children’s program at First Presbyterian Church. Volunteering is central to Melissa’s life. She has volunteered at the Jingle Bell Jog, Phoebe Women’s Health Conference and CMN Radiothon. She is an Albany Technical College Advisory Board Member. Melissa helped facilitate a Pilot Program for Healthcare Occupation students from Lee County High School and co-led a Career Preparation Youth Leadership Summit Workshop on the topic of interviewing. She is married to J.D. Sumner and is the mother of Chica and Stella, doggie adoptees from the Albany Humane Society. She is the daughter of Art and Gina Bello and a proud big sister to Alexander Bello
Jacquelyn Teemer
Department of Community and Economic Development Jacquelyn Teemer is a fiercely creative and innovative conquistador. Her ingenuity shows in the numerous initiatives that she has set forth for the small business community. Jacquelyn is a native to Albany, GA and is a true believer of its growth and restoration. Jacquelyn attended Dougherty Comprehensive High School and graduated with a B.S. in Management from Albany State University. After graduation, she moved to Hampton, Virginia where she worked for a local non-profit serving impoverished communities. While in Virginia, Jacquelyn received her first Master’s Degree in Urban Studies from Old Dominion University. Jacquelyn’s life goal is to bring sustainable economic opportunities to divided communities through asset-based community and economic development. Jacquelyn’s commitment to home and family later returned her to Albany, Georgia to accomplish this goal. In 2009, she received her second Master’s Degree from Albany State University in Public Administration and began to focus her career on the public sector. Presently, Jacquelyn employed as a Program Manager for the City of Albany. Jacquelyn is a small business advocate and advisor. She has presented several workshops throughout the community on business plan development, marketing, branding, and youth development. She serves on several boards throughout the community including Vineyard Healing, Racial Healing, and the Parent Teacher Organization for the International Studies Elementary Charter School. But her gifts are not just limited to businesses; she is a spoken word poet and has been a guest at various venues throughout Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Virginia. She is formerly a part of the spoken word team, Groovespeak, of Albany, Georgia. She is the mother of three Power Ranger and Superman-loving children and the wife to an extremely lucky man.