Established to further the mission of the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education, the Board of Visitors combines the knowledge and expertise of alumni and friends dedicated to the advancement of excellence in educational programming and outreach.
Board Objectives
- Provide feedback on program and curriculum development, considering current business, industry and educational trends and the needs of students in the workplace and community environments.
- Identify new and expanding community outreach opportunities for online learning, nontraditional/adult students and non-credit programs.
- Identify volunteers, prospective donors and fundraising goals; seek ways to strengthen partnerships with alumni, corporations, foundations, governmental agencies and other external constituents; and assist in raising funds to contribute to the advancement of the division.
- Serve on various advisory committees established by the Board at the request of the associate provost to provide advice on specific programs, needs and issues.
Committees
- Alumni & Friends Engagement
- The Alumni Engagement Committee strengthens the OTIDE alumni network by fostering connections, supporting engagement initiatives, and promoting philanthropy among UA Online, NCLT, and UA Early College graduates.
- Development & Corporate Relations
- The Development and Corporate Relations Committee leverages networks to identify potential donors, support OTIDE’s fundraising efforts, and lead key development initiatives.
- Executive Committee
- The Executive Committee supports the Associate Provost in leading the Board of Visitors, providing guidance, advocacy, and strategic oversight.
- Membership
- The Membership Committee identifies and recommends qualified candidates for the OTIDE Board of Visitors, leveraging their networks to support the board’s growth and effectiveness.
- Military Advisory Board
- The OTIDE Military Advisory Board enhances the educational experience of military service members, veterans, and their families by providing accessible, high-quality online education and fostering a supportive, inclusive learning environment.
- Scholarship Selection
- The Scholarship Selection Committee reviews applications based on established criteria, and recommends recipients to the Associate Provost, guaranteeing an impartial and considerate allocation of scholarships.
Jennifer Aries
President25th Hour Communications
Mashpee, Massachusetts

Alexis Barton
Communications LeadThe Southern Company
Birmingham, Alabama
Daniel Blackburn, Emeritus
MemberBlackburn and Conner, P.C.
Loxley, Alabama

David Bradshaw, President
President and CEOInteractiveGIS, Inc.
Christiansburg, Virginia

Margaret Ila Christian
Associate ManagerLockheed Martin Corporation
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Michele Coley
Agency OwnerAllstate Coley Agency
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

David Courington
OwnerDavid G. Courington Consulting
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Dr. Ronald Dains
Associate ProfessorAir Command & Staff College
Millbrook, Alabama

Wayne Dykes, Emeritus
CEOSpotGenie Partners, LLC
Atlanta, Georgia

Dr. Erica Edwards-Lankford
Senior Vice President – Total Rewards Business StrategyPNC Financial Services
Pelham, Alabama

Dr. Stefan Eisen, Jr., Emeritus
Colonel (ret) USAFMontgomery, AL

Bill Elrod
RetiredThe University of Alabama
Hoover, Alabama

Lisa Evans
Head of Information TechnologyMercedes-Benz U.S. International
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Rudy Fernandez, Emeritus
Co-Owner and Creative DirectorCreative Outhouse
Atlanta, Georgia

Dr. Kim Germany
CEO & FounderAchieveNow Network, LLC.
Nashville, Tennessee

Sandra Goldman, Emeritus
RetiredBirmingham, Alabama

Bobbie Goldstein, Emeritus
RetiredMerrill Lynch/Bank of America
Birmingham, Alabama

Jheovanny Gomez
OwnerJalapenos Mexican Grill
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Scott Grissett
Director of Client SuccessCirculogene
Pensacola, Florida

Joel Hammond, Emeritus
PresidentSkye Rouge Group, Inc.
Columbus, Georgia

Lori Harris
Owner/Vice President of SalesProfessional Choice, Inc.
Hoover, Alabama
Captain John Hodges, Emeritus
OwnerBlue Skies Travel
Alexander City, Alabama
Alice Gordon Holloway
CEO, Executive Problem SolverSkye Connect Incorporated
Birmingham, Alabama

Elizabeth Howard, Emeritus
Reading Specialist/Retired TeacherPelham, Alabama

Michael Howard
Assistant Teaching Professor of MathematicsUniversity of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Ronald Howard, Emeritus
Retired Systems AnalystBellsouth Telecommunications
Pelham, Alabama

Dr. Ke’Andrea Jones
RetiredAlabaster City Schools
Pelham, Alabama
Kreg Kennedy
District Field RepresentativeU.S. House of Representatives
Tuscumbia, Alabama
Reid Lovell
RetiredFranklin, Tennessee

Dr. Keith Miller
OwnerB. Keith Miller, DDS
Brewton, Alabama

Gabriela Miller
RetiredBrewton City Schools
Brewton, Alabama
Dr. John Minney
Retired, Lt. ColonelAlabama Air National Guard
Montgomery, Alabama
Dr. Torii Johnson Ramsey
CEO and PresidentASPIRE Workplace Solutions Corporation
Bessemer, Alabama

Dr. Richard Rush
Executive Director of Strategic CommunicationCity of Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Mack Russell
RetiredDistrict Judge
Greenville, Alabama

Rhonda Sapp
Sr. Vice PresidentRegions Bank
Bonifay, Florida

Barbara Smith
RetiredMuscogee City School District
Midland, Georgia
Rick Smith
Vice PresidentThe Benefits Cooperative
Columbus, Georgia

Kevin Taylor
Senior Partner and Director of Agency DevelopmentStrategic Planning Group and Penn Mutual
Atlanta, Georgia

Fitzgerald Washington
Secretary of LaborAlabama Department of Labor
Montgomery, Alabama

Dr. Chewy Watt
Retired, ColonelU.S. Air Force
Prattville, Alabama

Dr. Kevin Whitaker
RetiredThe University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Laura Whitaker
RetiredThe University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
David Wilson
RetiredThe University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Dr. Liza Wilson
RetiredThe University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
