The Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees has announced that Mr. Goodrich ‘Dus’ Rogers has been elected to be its new Chairman while Mrs. Valerie Gray has been named the new Vice Chairperson of the board.

Rogers was first appointed in 2021 by Governor Kay Ivey to serve District 5 in the state. He is a retired Colonel of the Army National Guard and Army Reserves. Rogers also works for the Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative in Rainsville as Executive Vice President, Customer Support and Business Development.

Also appointed in 2021 by Governor Ivey, Gray has served District 3. Grey is a lifelong resident of Chambers County and retired as the Executive Director of the Chambers County Development Authority after 22 years. She will be the board’s first female vice chairperson.

The Board of Trustees consists of the Governor, seven members appointed by the governor, one state-at-large member and one ex officio, nonvoting member appointed by the governor and serving on the State Board of Education. The Governor serves as President of the Board.

In addition to Ivey, Rogers and Gray, the ACCS Board of Trustees includes: J.E.B Shell, District 1; John Mitchell, District 2; Britton Lightsey, District 4; Ron Houston, District 6; Llevelyn Rhone, past chairperson; District 7; Tim McCartney, Member-at-Large; and Dr. Yvette Richardson, Ex-Officio Member.

The group is the governing body of the ACCS, which seeks to create a “unified system of community colleges and programs to deliver excellence in academic education, adult education and workforce development to meet the needs of citizens, businesses and industries.”

Trustees are experienced business leaders who know the day-to-day experience and challenges of recruiting and training a skilled workforce.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.