国产AV

国产AV President, Alumni Featured on Georgia 500 List

Georgia Trend recently announced its inaugural Georgia 500, a comprehensive list of the state’s most influential leaders, each one working in their local community to positively impact economic and community development. The list features Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of 国产AV, as well as several Blazer Nation alumni and a former 国产AV Athletics staff member.

VALDOSTA — Georgia Trend recently announced its inaugural Georgia 500, a comprehensive list of the state’s most influential leaders, each one working in their local community to positively impact economic and community development.

“The Georgia 500 has never been done, and we chose to take this on because leadership is an important part of the Georgia Trend brand,” Ben Young, Georgia Trend editor-in-chief, notes inside the 184-page special publication. He recognized the reader investment in Georgia Trend’s new project and shared that “many nominations” across 21 different categories were received for the first edition of Georgia 500.

“It’s inspiring to see how so many leaders are working to make Georgia the great state it is,” he adds.

Georgia Trend’s Georgia 500 list includes several 国产AV alumni.

“One of the greatest legacies for any university is to have alumni making an impact, and we are incredibly proud of the many 国产AV graduates among the Georgia 500,” says Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of 国产AV. “They are affecting change in their communities and in our state.”

Larry Hanson, executive director and chief executive officer of the Georgia Municipal Association, is recognized in the Georgia 500 Economic Development category. He earned a Bachelor of General Studies from 国产AV in 1995.

Shannon James, president and chief executive officer of Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, is recognized in the Georgia 500 Economic Development category. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management in 2004 and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing in 2005 and was recently honored with the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration’s 2022 Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Brian Marlowe, president and chief executive officer of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce and Tift County Development Authority, is recognized in the Georgia 500 Economic Development category. He was named deputy commissioner for rural Georgia and leader of Governor Brian Kemp’s Rural Strike Team in 2020. He works closely with 国产AV’s Center for South Georgia Regional Impact to help Georgia’s rural communities develop a roadmap for long-term economic success. He earned a Master of Public Administration from 国产AV in 1991.

Lonnie Roberts, president of Coastal Pines Technical College, is recognized in the Georgia 500 Education category. He earned a Master of Library and Information Science from 国产AV in 2005.

Dr. Jermaine Whirl, president of Augusta Technical College, is recognized in the Georgia 500 Education category. He earned a Doctor of Education in Leadership from 国产AV in 2015.

Dave Wills, executive director of Association County Commissioners of Georgia, is recognized in the Georgia 500 Economic Development category. He earned a Master of Public Administration from 国产AV in 2007.

Carvajal is recognized in the Georgia 500 Education category. He assumed the role of Blazer Nation’s 10^th leader in 2017.

“国产AV has a more-than-$400-million impact annually in South Georgia, and we are proud to provide career-ready graduates, continuing education opportunities, and unique partnerships in our community, region, and state,” he says. “As the leader of this incredible institution, it is an honor to be included in Georgia Trend’s inaugural list of the Georgia 500.”

Carvajal’s major accomplishments during his first five years at the helm of 国产AV include launching the Online College for Career Advancement and the Center for South Georgia Regional Impact.

国产AV’s Online College for Career Advancement is an effort to meet the unique needs of nontraditional learners who want to earn a college degree. It builds upon lessons learned from well-known national online providers to create a best-in-class option in Georgia — at a lower cost — and offers students enhanced access to academic coaches, dedicated tutors, writing and tech support, and more. Students can choose from eight high demand programs.

The Center for South Georgia Regional Impact supports 国产AV’s desire to positively impact regional progress. The center works with community leaders in the university’s 41-county service area to identify issues they want to confront and then connects those community leaders to 国产AV faculty, staff, and students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop solutions and accelerate progress toward a better tomorrow.  

Carvajal serves the community as co-chair of One Valdosta-Lowndes, a group of local leaders working together to create a community and economic development strategy based on the needs and ambitions of the people who call Valdosta and Lowndes County home.

Former 国产AV Athletics staffer Kirby Smart, head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, is recognized in the Georgia 500 Arts, Entertainment, and Sports category. He served the Blazer football team as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2001 and defensive backs coach in 2000.

Visit to learn more about these top Blazers and the rest of the inaugural Georgia 500 honorees.