Alumni in the News

Nathaniel Crawford ’13 is bringing the first luxury container home community to the US, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Crawford is a luxury real estate agent specializing in South Florida real estate. He has over a decade of real estate experience and is currently an associate broker with Amazing SoFlo Properties. Crawford received his marketing degree from GSW and is a South Florida native, born and raised in Miami, Fla.

(Source: Accesswire)

Chris Hosey ’87 was appointed deputy director of investigations for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation where he will oversee the Investigative Division, the GBI’s largest division. Hosey has been has been with the GBI for over 32 years. He received his bachelor’s degree in sociology from GSW. Hosey is from Newnan, Ga. and resides in Thomaston, Ga.

(Source: WALB News 10)

Blake Watts ’01 & ’05 was tapped as Piedmont Rockdale’s CEO, where he has served as the director of operations since 2016 and more recently as interim CEO. Watts has 30 years of experience in healthcare leadership, having first served in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps before joining the civilian sector at Phoebe Putney Health System in Albany, Ga. as an operations manager.

(Source: The Covington News)

Jaha Dukureh ’13 announced her candidacy to become the president of her home country of The Gambia in October 2021. Had she been elected, Dukureh would have become the youngest female president in the world. As one of the youngest Africans ever to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, she has dedicated her life to public service and activism.

(Source: PR Newswire)

Tucker Smith ’19 & ’21 signed a pro contract with the Houston Apollos of the American Association, one of baseball’s top independent leagues. Smith, the Hurricanes’ former ace pitcher, began his professional baseball career in May 2021 as a starting pitcher in his first game. Smith holds numerous awards from his time at GSW, including 2019 Peach Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year.

(Source: Americus Times-Recorder)

Kabrina Merriweather ’15 was promoted to assistant coach of the University of New Mexico’s women’s basketball team, the Lobos. Merriweather brings eight years of professional basketball experience to her new role. Beyond her experience on the bench, she played collegiately at Florida A&M University and GSW, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in education.

(Source: golobos.com)

Tommy Clark ’95 was promoted to regional president of Colony Bank in Albany, Ga. Clark joined Colony Bank as Albany Market President in 2018. Prior to joining Colony, he served in senior positions at Albany-based banks for over 15 years, including market president for Planters First Bank and vice president for Renasant Bank and its predecessor, HeritageBank of the South. Clark holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from GSW.

(Source: Albany CEO)

Calvin Rhodes ’90 is retiring after 10 years as Georgia’s CIO and Georgia Technology Authority executive director. Rhodes was the longest-serving active state CIO in the nation, having served in the role since 2011 after being appointed by former Gov. Nathan Deal. Rhodes has played key roles in modernizing the state’s IT environment, including launching a $110 million statewide cybersecurity center.

Tracy Brown ’88 was named solicitor general of Jeff Davis County by Gov. Brian Kemp. He served as sole practitioner for Tracy Alan Brown, P.C., with offices in Jesup, Ga. and Baxley, Ga. Prior to this role, Brown served as a partner with Brown & Johnson, LLC. Brown is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the Superior Court of Georgia, among many others. He and his wife live in Baxley, Ga. and have three children.

(Source: georgia.gov)

Carl Tims ’91 was featured as GEICO’s Community Spotlight. Tims serves as vice president and chief diversity officer at GEICO, leading the Community Engagement and Diversity & Inclusion planning center. Since his employment in 1992, Tims has held various roles at GEICO. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from GSW and holds other professional insurance designations.

(Source: GEICO)

Darren Alford ’92 & ’00 led Schley County High to the GHSA state football playoffs. After becoming head coach in 2016, Alford had his work cut out for him taking over a program that was 0-10 the previous season. Having previously coached in Americus for 18 years and then at West Laurens for five years, Alford had what it took to lead his team to the playoffs in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021.

(Source: GPB, WALB News 10)

DeAnnia Clements ’07 was named president of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in Valdosta, Ga. Clements has more than 20 years of experience in the Technical College System of Georgia. Her career in technical education began as an adjunct instructor for South Georgia Technical College in 1999. She holds a master’s degree in computer information systems from GSW.

(Source: Albany CEO)

Lisa West ’91 & ’96 was named a finalist for Georgia Pre-K Teacher of the Year for the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. West teaches four-year-olds in the Crisp County School System’s Pre-K program. She has nearly 30 years of experience after having received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in early childhood education from GSW.

(Source: Cordele Dispatch)

Dr. Bronwyn Ragan-Martin ’94 was selected by State School Superintendent Richard Woods to lead the newly established Office of Rural Education and Innovation at the Georgia Department of Education. Ragan-Martin is a Georgia educational leader with more than 31 years of experience, most recently serving as superintendent of the Early County School System and president of the Georgia School Superintendents Association.

(Source: Metro Atlanta CEO)

Tamika Mitchell- Wilcher ’18 appeared on The Ellen Degeneres Show after her classroom TikTok went viral. Mitchell-Wilcher is a 1st grade teacher in Camilla, Ga. and uses rap music to help students retain information. She is a former Teacher of the Year and a published author of a children’s book titled “Smart and Beautiful Me.” She earned her master’s degree in early childhood education from GSW and is currently pursuing her specialist’s degree at GSW.

(Source: Ellen Degeneres Show, CBC in the Morning)

Joe Chesnut ’94 & ’96 was assigned new supervisor to the GBI Region 3 Field Office in Americus, Ga. Special Agent in Charge Chesnut has been with the GBI for 23 years and was previously assigned to the State Drug Task Force. Agent Chesnut serves as the vice president of the Georgia Narcotics Officers Association and is a member of the GBI Special Enforcement Team.

(Source: Americus Times-Recorder)