Cox Louisiana human-resources executive Rhonda Taylor has been named the Cox Communications chief people officer, effective immediately, succeeding Mae Douglas, who announced her retirement recently.

Taylor has served as the senior human resources executive in Cox’s Louisiana system since 2008, where she planned, led and implemented numerous organizational changes and realignments including the consolidation of Cox Greater Louisiana and New Orleans systems. Under her leadership, the Cox Louisiana Diversity Council received the 2011 Human Resources Management Association Commitment to Diversity Award.

“Cox’s success is dependent on acquiring, retaining, motivating and fully utilizing the brightest employees in the marketplace,” Esser said in a release. “Our structure is shifting to support broader business transformation and Rhonda is well-qualified to equip our workforce to deliver outstanding results.”

Prior to joining Cox, Taylor served for 21 years at Citigroup in various human resources leadership roles, including senior vice president of human resources in the company’s Coppell, Texas office. She was also assistant director, human resources for ITT Commercial Finance Corp. in St. Louis, Mo.

Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College in Columbia, Mo. She currently serves on the board of the Baton Rouge Junior Achievement organization and is active in the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications and the Society of Human Resource Management. Taylor is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott, a former federal prosecutor and head of the governor’s inspector general’s office, has been appointed chairwoman of the Chicago Housing Authority board, the mayor’s office said Tuesday.

Scott, most recently a private attorney specializing in white-collar criminal work, replaces James Reynolds, who last week was appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to the board of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.

Along with the CHA’s new CEO, Charles Woodyard, Scott will try to steer the agency amid a struggling economy that has undermined its $1.6 billion Plan for Transformation, an effort to create vibrant mixed-income housing developments where crime-ridden high-rises once stood.

“The Chicago Housing Authority’s board will play a crucial role in completing the Plan for Transformation and tackling the important challenges facing Chicagoans with affordable housing needs,” Emanuel said in a statement. “Z Scott has the track record of innovation as well as the experience needed to deftly lead this board.”

Scott brings to the CHA post years of public agency management experience, as well as a formidable record as an assistant U.S. attorney. That included prosecuting former Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Richard Sarallo in a bribery case that led to his guilty plea to income tax evasion in 1994.

She was head of the governor’s inspector general’s office from 2003 to 2005.

But Scott acknowledged in an interview Tuesday that her experience in dealing with often complex housing market issues is limited. Scott was first appointed to the CHA’s board in July.

“There is a learning curve,” she said. “It’s new. The issues are new, which is why I think it’s important to me to take the time to become familiar with the challenges and the issues and the concerns.”

“I think that given that all public entities are faced with a terrific amount of work to do with limited resources, we really have to take a hard look at what we have to do,” she said.

Robert Whitfield, an attorney who represents CHA tenants and who has been critical of the agency, said he was encouraged by Scott’s law enforcement background. There has been some upheaval in CHA leadership in recent years, including the resignation of former CEO Lewis Jordan last summer amid questions over his use of an agency credit card.

Those who deal with the agency look forward to moving on, Whitfield said.

“We’re all taking the attitude of let’s wait and see what the new regime will bring,” he said.

Virginia State University has announced the hiring of Ivana Rich as their new head volleyball coach on Aug. 9.

Rich comes to Virginia State University after serving as the Volunteer Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach at Chowan University, helping lead them to a CIAA championship in 2010.

In addition to her assistant coaching experience, Rich also coached club volleyball at MidAtlantic Volleyball Club in Midlothian, Virginia and various camps at Virginia Commonwealth University and Tusculum College.

Rich’s philosophy is based on the core goal of using volleyball as an instrument to become a better student-athlete as well as a better person.

Rich played four years as a part of the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) women’s volleyball program playing both middle blocker and right-side hitter.

As a senior and captain of the VCU team, she help lead the Lady Rams to their first regular season conference championship in school history and 65th best RPI in the nation. During her tenure at VCU, she was awarded All CAA First Team (2008), All CAA Second Team (2009), All CAA Tournament Team (2009) and COBRA Magazine All-National Third Team (2009). Rich also broke two school records, the VCU all-time blocks record, finishing with a total of 384 blocks in 117 career matches and the single season hitting percentage record charting .332.

Rich received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. Rich is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Counselor Education from Virginia State University.

Rich, a native of Cumberland County, Virginia, comes from a family “rich” in athletics. Her oldest brother, Diamand Rich played football for Shenandoah University and her youngest brother, Jule Rich is entering his sophomore season on the track team at North Carolina State University. Her father, Alfonso Belle, coached football for over twenty years at Cumberland High School and semi-professional football. Rich is also the daughter of Dr. Michelle Belle, the recipient of the first Doctoral degree from Virginia State University. Rich is a legacy member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Bro. Cleare brings proven leadership, relevant experiences and real passion for fraternal life in The Bahamas. With the theme “Rekindling the spirit of the Seven Jewels”, he plans to lead the Fraternity for the next two years using the examples of their founders. The inauguration of President Cleare took place on July 5th, 2011 at the British Colonial Hilton.

Bro. Cleare is a 1980 initiate of the Fraternity, and a proud Life Member since October 2000. During his years as a member of the Fraternity, he has held key positions including undergraduate president of the Delta Psi Chapter at Florida Memorial University, Assistant Director of the Florida State Convention. Locally he has served as director of ritual and ceremonies, historian and recording secretary.

He is a certified teacher and a certified human resource professional. Cleare holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Science from the Florida Memorial University and a Masters in Business Administration with specialization in Human Resource Management, from Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale Florida.   He is currently a Human Resource Manager with The Public Hospitals Authority deployed at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Center.

His dynamic executive leadership team includes the following distinguished Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.: Bro. Jaydian Miller – Vice President, Bro. Steven Strachan – Recording Secretary, Bro. Christian Pratt – Corresponding Secretary, Bro. Ethrin Zonicle – Treasurer, Bro. Dr. Valentine Grimes – Director of Education, Bro. Dr. Ricardo P. Deveaux – Director of Membership Intake and Associate Editor of the Sphinx, Bro. Terrance L.B. Fountain -Parliamentarian, Bro. Andrew Pinder – Sergeant at Arms, and Bro. Rev. Ellis Peet, Jr. -Chaplain.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded in 1906 on the university campus of Cornell University, the Fraternity develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities” The local Chapter Iota Epsilon Lambda Chapter was established May11th, 1977.

It never crossed Brett “Monty” Ellington’s mind when he entered the U. S. Army more than two decades ago what he could accomplish.

“I never expected to stay in as long as I did, but I never doubted that I couldn’t do it,” Ellington said.

The 45-year-old, who grew up in Alton, recently joined the ranks of the enlisted elite when he became one of the branch’s top non-commissioned officers. The highly decorated soldier earned the rank of sergeant major and now is in the top 1 percent of the Army’s enlisted personnel.

Ellington graduated from the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy on June 15 at Fort Bliss, Texas, and is headed to Fort Riley, Kan.

Ellington has come a long way since he put on his first pair of combat boots in 1985. Four months after graduating from Alton High School, he stepped into basic training at Fort Sill, Okla.

Following basic, Ellington remained at Fort Sill to attend AIT, or advanced individual training, where he would earn his military occupation specialty as a 13B, also known as a field artillery cannon crew member.

After completing his training, Ellington was sent to his first duty station at Fort Carson, Colo. After that, he was sent to South Korea, where he earned his first set of “stripes” as a non-commissioned officer.

“I’ve been wearing stripes ever since,” he said.

Ellington returned stateside to Fort Benning, Ga., where he attended the Non-commissioned Officer’s Academy and then was promoted to sergeant.

“I worked in a supervisor position as a section chief,” he said.

After serving as a leader for a few years, Ellington decided he wanted to train those entering the service, as well. He attended Drill Sergeant School and then headed back to Fort Sill, where he trained new recruits.

“While I was on drill sergeant status, I was promoted to sergeant first class,” he said.

Upon leaving Fort Sill for the second time, Ellington headed to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, where he took on a new leadership role. From there, he went back to Korea and then returned to Hawaii.

During most of Ellington’s military career he has been at Oklahoma, Colorado, Georgia, South Korea and Hawaii.

It was during his second tour at Schofield Barracks that he took over the position of command sergeant major of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment for about nine months before helping to deploy the unit to Iraq.

It was for his bravery, heroism or meritorious service while in Iraq that he earned a Bronze Star Medal. Ellington also holds four Meritorious Service Medals and two Army Commendation Medals, as well as other awards and honors.

The Army is a way of life, but Ellington said his family is just as important. He said even though his marriage to his first wife ended, he remains close with his children, Brandon, 21, and Briaunna, 18, who live in Colorado.

Ellington married for a second time six years ago.

“What’s great is we’ve known each other since childhood,” he said.

He said although he and his wife, Shirley (James) Ellington, knew each other, they hadn’t seen each other until he contacted her after he found out that she was stationed with her U.S. Navy Reserve Unit at Pearl Harbor.

The two connected and began hanging out, attending church, and the relationship blossomed. The couple married two years later.

The couple dated for two years before getting married.

Ellington often returns to Alton to visit with family. His parents, Carl and Yvonne Ellington, still live in town, as do most of his siblings: Tina Stewart, Patricia McSwyne, Nicky McSwyne, Darrylyn McSwyne, Robert Beamon and Cameron Ellington.

“I have two nephews that have followed in my footsteps and enlisted in the Army, as well,” he said.

He said both Marlon McSwyne and Devon Perry are staff sergeants.

Besides Army school and life, Ellington earned an associate’s degree from Excelsior College and is working toward his bachelor’s degree. He is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and proudly lives by its motto, “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity.”

Both Ellington and his wife believe in helping others.

Shirley Ellington said the duo likes to assist young people.

“We have a mentoring program that helps out the children of parents who get sent overseas,” she said. “We work strictly with military children. We know that when a parent leaves, they may need someone to talk to or someone to listen.”

She said because children don’t chose to be military, they often undergo various problems or simply may need questions answered, and she and her husband are there to lend an ear.

“This is a way for both of us to give back,” she said. “We both believe in community service and reaching out to help others.”

After spending the past nine months at the Sergeant Major Academy, Monty Ellington said he is looking forward to arriving this week at Fort Riley.

He said following all his training as an advanced non-commissioned officer, he’s ready to serve in his new position on post as a fire support operations sergeant major.

He also is on the selection list to become a command sergeant major.

“I’m ready to start my next journey with the Army,” he said. “We both are. This will be my last tour of duty before I retire.”

cellis@thetelegraph.com

On March 24, 2011 the Mayor and Alderman of the City of Savannah unanimously appointed Mrs. Rochelle D. Small-Toney as City Manager. Mrs. Small-Toney is the sixth city manager and this historic appointment is the first for an African-American and the first for a female in Savannah’s history. Savannah is a major tourist city, noted for its temperate climate and history. The Port of Savannah is the fourth busiest port in the United States and the region is home to three military installations, of which the Hunter Army Airfield is within the city boundaries. The city is also home to three major universities – Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah State University and Armstrong Atlantic University.

Prior to her appointment, Mrs. Small-Toney served for nine months as the Acting City Manager when her predecessor resigned to accept a manager position in Arlington, Virginia. During this interim period, she is credited with leading the city organization through a difficult fiscal year and budget process as a result of the recession while continuing to provide quality municipal services to a population of 140,000 citizens. As the chief executive officer, Mrs. Small-Toney serves at the pleasure of a nine-member City Council and oversees a $300,000,000 annual operating budget and a $100,000,000 five-year capital plan. There are 2,500 full-time employees under her administration, including a consolidated city/county police department and seven bureaus.

Mrs. Small-Toney was appointed Assistant City Manager for Public Development for the City of Savannah in July, 2007. Prior to her appointment in 2007, she served as Assistant City Manager in Charlottesville, Virginia and Assistant City Manager in Danville, Virginia. Formerly an employee of the City of Wilmington, NC, she worked in the city’s personnel department and budget office prior to her service in Virginia.

Mrs. Small-Toney has amassed nearly 30 years experience in public service in local government management. She holds the status of ”Credentialed Manager” by the International City/County Managers Association and received her 25 years of service award in 2006 from ICMA. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators. She is also a member of the National League of Cities, the Georgia Municipal Association, and the Georgia City/County Managers Association. She is an alumnus of the Senior Executive Institute of the Weldon Cooper Center at the University of Virginia. She is also a graduate of the NFBPA Executive Leadership Institute. Mrs. Small-Toney is a mentor to many aspiring administrators.

A 1974 graduate of John T. Hoggard High School, Mrs. Small-Toney continued her education and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978 and her Master of Public Administration degree in 1981 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Mrs. Small-Toney is a member of the Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Savannah Chapter of Links, Inc.

Mrs. Small-Toney is married to Leroy-Toney, Sr. formerly of Wilmington, NC and together they are the parents of Rosalind S. Toney of Hampton, VA and Leroy Toney, Jr. of Charlottesville, VA. She is the grandmother of Isaiah Toney, age 3 and Josiah Toney, age 11 months of Charlottesville, VA. Rochelle is the daughter of Mr. J.B. Small, Jr. of Edenton, NC and Mrs. Shirley A. Small of Charlotte, NC and the granddaughter of the late Ruth B. Addison, formerly of Wilmington, NC.

Previously, Miller was vice president of business development for SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance and S. USA Life, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company in Chicago’s Loop. He has also served as interim vice president of institutional advancement at Chicago State University (CSU), executive director of the CSU Foundation, vice president of external affairs for the Chicago Urban League, and vice president of the Corporate Scholars Program of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Prior to that role, Miller was vice president of field operations for the UNCF’s Midwest office in Chicago.

Miller earned a bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral sciences from The Ohio State University in 1981.

He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and serves on the board of trustees for the Museum of Contemporary Art, the board of directors of the Trinity Higher Education Corporation and is board chair of GRANDfamilies Program of Chicago.

Dr. Glover was carefully considered and approved based on her exceptional background and reputation. She serves as the Dean of the College of Business at Jackson State University in Jackson. Mississippi. She holds a Ph.D. in business and economics and is one of few African American women to hold the economics Ph.D. – CPA – JD combination in the nation.

“I have been following AEHI for quite a while. The company has an exciting business model and an extremely qualified CEO and Board that I believe is on the verge of accomplishing groundbreaking goals in the nuclear industry. Some of those include plans to approve and build a new nuclear power plant in the United States and the company’s push to implement nuclear desalination plants around the globe. I want to be a part of it and I believe I have the necessary tools to help further those goals,” said Dr. Glover.

“Dr. Glover is a perfect fit for AEHI. She has extensive qualifications as a CPA, an economist, and an attorney. She also has a notable background in energy having worked with Potomac Electric Power Company. I believe she will be an exceptional addition to our Board,” said Don Gillispie, AEHI CEO.

Dr. Glover’s notable employment history includes the Chair of the Department of Accounting at Howard University, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of an engineering firm, Tax Manager at Potomac Electric Power Company, and accountant with Arthur Andersen & Company. Glover is licensed to practice law, known as an economic development specialist, regarded as one of the nation’s experts on corporate governance, empowerment zones, and is highly sought political strategist. She has provided economic insight to key educational, political, and community issues for major national organizations.

Dr. Glover has served on numerous corporate and national boards such as The Student Loan Corporation – a subsidiary of Citigroup, The Lenox Group, Regions Bank of Mississippi, the Harvard Business School Management Alliance, Board of Examiners for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the MetroJackson Chamber of Commerce, and Chairperson of the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Board of Commissioners. Other affiliations include the National Bar Association, NAACP, The Links, Inc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Clinton Perry, Chairman of the Taylor County Board of Commissioners, was sworn in today as First Vice President of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) after being selected by his peers to serve on the organization’s Board of Managers.  The installation ceremony was conducted by Secretary of State Brian Kemp during the “Celebrating Leadership Luncheon” at the 2011 ACCG Annual Meeting, which took place at the Savannah Civic Center.

ACCG is a membership services association that works on behalf of Georgia’s county governments.  Formed in 1914 with 19 charter county members, today ACCG represents all 159 county governments in the state.  ACCG provides programs and services in the areas of public policy and legislative advocacy, leadership enhancement, civic and community engagement and cost-efficient services such as insurance and retirement on behalf of Georgia’s county officials and their local communities

“In the coming year, I hope to see the association place continued focus on promoting the professional development of the leaders of Georgia’s counties,” said Chairman Perry.  “Each day, county governance becomes increasingly complex, and ACCG performs a great service in helping to ensure that county leaders have all of the tools and critical thinking resources that they need to successfully navigate the terrain.”

Clinton Perry earned his degree in psychology from Tuskegee University. He served eight years in the United States Army and was honorably discharged as a Captain in the Intelligence Branch in 1992.  He is a member of several civic, social and professional organizations such as Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Freerun 518^th Masonic Lodge and the Georgia Prison Wardens Association (GPWA).  He is also a licensed insurance agent and funeral director with his family’s firm, Bentley’s Chain of Funeral Homes of Middle Georgia.

In addition to his service on the Taylor County Board of Commissioners, Perry serves as Vice-Chair for the River Valley Regional Development Commission and is a Board Member of the Valley Partnership.  Chairman Perry was also appointed by Governor Perdue to serve on the Public Defenders Supervisory Panel for the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit in February 2010.  Last year, Chairman Perry served as ACCG’s Second Vice President.

“Chairman Perry is a dedicated public servant, serving as an elected official as well as a Superintendent at the McEver Probation Facility for the Department of Corrections,” said Ross King.  “He understands the importance of encouraging county officials to further develop their leadership skills, and we look forward to having him help us expand interest and participation in our training programs.”

For more information on ACCG, go to www.accg.org