14.09.09 15:00 Age: 319 days Roy Manley, Brian Willingham, Bruce Willingham named 2009-10 Wallace State Outstanding Alumni at Fall Luncheon Category: Headlines, September 2009
HANCEVILLE, Ala. -- Wallace State Community College in Hanceville celebrated its 5th Annual Outstanding Alumni Awards Luncheon on Friday, and a trio of former Wallace State students collected the 2009 Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award. Entrepreneurs Roy Manley, Bruce Willingham and Brian Willingham, who all attended Machine Tool Technology program from 1991-93, share the Outstanding Alumni of the Year honor for 2009-10. Together, they co-own and work at Mach III, Inc. in Vinemont, a business begun by Manley in 2000. NASA rocket scientist Mary Hovater held the distinction for the 2008-09 year. “I don’t even know where to start to explain how much this means,” said Manley, a 1993 Wallace State graduate. “This is very prestigious. It gives you a different outlook on things when you work hard after starting out at virtually nothing. It shows that teamwork will go a long way in any venture. This just really means a lot to all of us.” Bruce Willingham graduated “With Distinction” from the Machine Tool Technology program in 1993 and is currently president of Mach, III, Inc. After spending time at Wallace State he held a job as an applications engineer at R.O. Deadrick Corporation, where Willingham traveled extensively to set up and train other machinists in the aerospace, automotive and medical industries. As president of Mach III, Inc., Bruce Willingham also serves on the NIMS committee to assist and advise Machine Tool instructors at the Cullman Vocational Center on ways to better prepare students to enter the workforce in the machining profession. “It’s a real blessing and honor to be named as an Outstanding Alumni. We have a lot to live up to,” said Bruce Willingham. “It’s amazing we belong in the same boat with the previous Outstanding Alumni at this school.” Brian Willingham has been a partner at Mach III, Inc., since 2000 after spending four years in Decatur as a Swiss-Lathe operator. He also previously worked as an applications engineer with REM, traveling to 30 different states and making parts for companies such as Harley Davidson, Smith and Nephew, Kimber, and Milwaukee Electronic Tool. “I really didn’t expect this honor at all when we got here,” Brian Willingham said. “I’m very surprised and honored. It’s a true prize for all of us.” Mach III, Inc., has seven full-time employees and three part-time employees and has grossed more than a million dollars in sales over the last two years. The company uses the latest technology and equipment to produce high quality components for many industries including automotive, aerospace, medical, sporting goods and agricultural. Their customers range from California to Cullman. During Friday’s luncheon, Wallace State honored 16 individuals who were nominated by their peers, faculty or community members to be recognized for their outstanding accomplishments after attending Wallace State. “These nominees represent all facets of our community and workforce: healthcare professionals, a chiropractor, university faculty, entrepreneurs and an engineer,” said Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Hawsey. “Each nominee has demonstrated achievement within his or her field of work or expertise, and each has demonstrated a commitment to Wallace State.” Other alumni honored as WSCC Outstanding Alumni nominees were: Amanda Corley, class of 2004: Corley received her associate degree in Applied Science in Health Information Technology and currently serves as the Regional Coding Supervisor for Noland Health Services and the five long-term acute care hospitals they own. She is a member of the American Health Information Management Association and the Alabama Association of Health Information Management. Connie Lee, class of 1997: Lee earned her associate degree in Applied Science, graduating cum laude from the Medical Assistant Technology program. She currently serves as the Clinical Coordinator for Family Medical Clinic, which is a branch of Cullman Primary Care. She is also an adjunct instructor for Wallace State as well as the clinical site director for the WSCC Medical Assistant Technology program at the Family Medical Clinic. Lorie Smith Strane, class of 1997: She is a cum laude graduate of the Wallace State Medical Assistant Technology program and currently serves as the Club Manager/CMA, Sports First/OneFitness/CRMC. Strane is a Certified Medical Assistant, American Technology Program CPR, a First Aid instructor, certified personal trainer and a National Certified Safe Sitter instructor. She obtained her bachelor of science in health science from Athens State in 2003. Dr. Timothy Gene Smith, class of 1994: Smith received his Licensed Practical Nurse diploma from Wallace State before continuing his education at UAB where he received his bachelor of arts in 2002. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration from Auburn University and a Ph.D. from Auburn in 2009 in public administration. Smith once worked as a licensed practical nurse at the Golden Living Center in Hoover, but now is a political science instructor at Augusta State University in Augusta, Ga. Leah Fuller Bolin, attended 1989-1992: Bolin completed her degree at Athens State in secondary education/music and is the owner of the seasonal retail business, Cullman Kid’s Mart. She also co-hosts her own travel show called “Getaway Today,” and has co-anchored a community news program where she has interviewed notables such as Senator Richard Shelby and Governor Bob Riley. Gregg Carter, class of 2003: Carter is a summa cum laude graduate with a degree in Business Management and Supervision. He went on to earn his bachelor of science in Business Management and Supervision from Athens State in 2005, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Carter is currently owner /operator of Paradise Pet Care Center and previously owned the Paradise Hollow Carriage. Charles Timothy Dubberly, attended 1995-2008: Dubberly, from Africa, attended Wallace State before continuing his education at Lee University where he graduated with a bachelor of science in Christian Ministries in 2008. Dubberly currently serves as a missionary evangelist in Africa and is a licensed, ordained bishop with the Church of God denomination. He is a member of the Cullman County Ministerial Association and a volunteer counselor at Genesis House, a rehabilitation center. He has served as a missionary in Russia, the Philippines and Honduras. Jana Roberson Johnson, class of 2007: Johnson graduated cum laude from Wallace State in 2007, receiving her associate degree in Office Administrative Assistant. She began her professional career working with NARE Home Medical in Medicare, Medicaid and commercial billing customer service. She is currently employed as Front Desk Coordinator/Patient Relations at Jill K. Meyer and Associates. Joyce C. Sedlmayr, class of 1995: Sedlmayr graduated summa cum laude in general studies. She received her bachelor of business administration from Athens State in 1998, graduating magna cum laude. She is an Alabama licensed realtor and one of the first two women in the state to be certified as an Alabama Certified Appraiser. Lisa M. Weeks, class of 1983: Weeks is a Wallace State graduate and a 1984 graduate of Athens State with a double major in mathematics and biology. She completed her Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1987, graduating cum laude. She is the owner and practicing chiropractic physician at Weeks Chiropractic Clinic in Cullman. Weeks has also served as a Clinical Teaching Resident for Palmer College, located in Davenport, Iowa. Derek Holland, attended 2005-07: Holland attended Wallace State for three years and helped the Lions reach the JUCO World Series before being drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2006. Holland made a rapid ascent up the Rangers farm system as one of the top left-handed pitchers in the organization. He received the Nolan Ryan minor league pitcher of the year award from the Rangers system in 2008 and made his major league debut in April 2009. Holland was recently featured in Sports Illustrated and is an integral part of the Rangers playoff push this season. Jason Freeman, attended 1993-95: After his career at Wallace State, Freeman earned his degree in environmental science from Auburn in 1999. Freeman is now employed with Law Engineering and Environmental Corporation as a Senior Scientist/Environmental Manager in Atlanta. In 2005, he was received the company CEO award for exceptional client sales and service. It’s an award given to fewer than 1 percent of the 3,000 employees with MACTEC. Daniel Hite, class of 1999: Hite is a graduate of the Flight Technology program at Wallace State. He is the Founder/Chief Pilot of the First Municipal Police Aviation Unit in Alabama and has served 24 years as a police officer in Alabama. Three alumni scholarships were also awarded at the luncheon. Veronica Keith was the inaugural recipient of the Kateah Pinkard Scholarship, Cold Springs High School’s T.J. Aby awarded the Wallace State Alumni Association scholarship, and Cullman High School’s Julianna Creel was presented the Ozell Hinkle scholarship. For more information about the Wallace State Alumni Association, visit wallacestate.edu/alumni. Membership is open to current and former Wallace State students, employees, and friends of the college. PHOTOS: Kristen Holmes
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