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August 6, 2007

Calhoun Announces Administrative Addition, Change

Calhoun Community College President Marilyn Beck today announced two major administrative changes at the college -- the appointment of Howell Lee as the new interim dean to head the Calhoun-led WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) Initiative and the naming of Dr. Mary Yarbrough, currently Calhoun’s Dean for Technologies and Workforce Development, as the new interim Vice President for Instruction and Student Services.

Lee comes to Calhoun having most recently served as director of governmental affairs and business manager for Sparta, Inc.  With over 36 years in the fields of business and government, he also served as district director from 1998-2003 for Congressman Bud Cramer.  Additionally, he was appointed by Governor Bob Riley to represent the 5th congressional district on the Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness and has served as legislative chair for the Space and Missile Defense conference.

As head of the WIRED program, Lee will be responsible for  leading the initiative in its mission to support the development of a regional, integrated approach to workforce and economic development and education. The ultimate goal of WIRED, which is the result of a $5 million Department of Labor grant awarded to Calhoun earlier this year, is to expand employment  and advancement opportunities for American workers and catalyze the creation of high-skill and high-wage opportunities in north Alabama and southern Tennessee.

“We are pleased to have an individual with the background and expertise as Howell Lee to head up our WIRED initiative,” said Beck.  “The focus areas of this initiative are biotechnology/nanotechnology and information technology.  Mr. Lee’s extensive experience in the business and governmental arenas made him the ideal choice to lead this effort,” Beck added.

A long-time employee of Calhoun, Yarbrough replaces Dr. Theresa Hamilton, who will retire later this month after spending over 26 years with the college.  In addition to her current position as dean of technologies and workforce development, Yarbrough has served in a number of other posts at the college which include Huntsville campus dean, chair of the Business division and director of the Tech Prep Consortium and the Morgan-Lawrence-Limestone Counties School-to-Career Partnership.  During her tenure at Calhoun, she has also served as chair of the Business Administration department as well as an instructor in the Business division.

At Calhoun, Yarbrough has been the sole author and administrator for grants awarded to the college totaling close to $2 million, and was instrumental in the college securing a $3.5 million Department of Labor grant for the establishment of the Center for Manufacturing Innovation.  She has significant work in the areas of economic and workforce development, having served as a member of the North Alabama International Trade Association and various committees with the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and has presented over 50 presentations locally, regionally and nationally on Calhoun’s role in workforce development.

“Dr. Theresa Hamilton contributed much to this institution and to the communities we serve during her tenure here, and for that, we are most grateful,” commented Beck.  “We certainly wish her and her family well as she embarks on yet another chapter in her life.

“As we continue to carry out our mission of education and workforce training, we are most fortunate to have Dr. Yarbrough to agree to serve in this critical role at the college.  She is the consummate educator, having served at all levels of instruction and administration at Calhoun, and the professionalism, experience and leadership skills she will bring to this position of Vice President are invaluable.”

Coverage of this release:

• Calhoun announces addition, change, The Decatur Daily, Wednesday, August 8, 2007 issue, p. B6
• Calhoun names interim leader of WIRED program, The Huntsville Times, Wednesday, August 8, 2007 issue, p. A9

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Janet Kincherlow-Martin
Director of Public Relations
(256) 306-2561

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