Spotlight on Alumni

James B. Johnson, Class of 1983

Mr. Johnson was appointed to serve as Deputy to the Commander/Technical Director US Army Developmental Test Command Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. He has management responsibility for the command's test and technology mission and all associated resources. Mr. Johnson is married to Sharon and they have a daughter, Faith.

Mitzi Gilbert, Class of 1977 

Mrs. Gilbert has been named Clements High School Secondary Teacher of the Year. She has taught seventh grade language and literature at Clements for four years. Previously, she taught at Athens Bible School. She and her husband, Grant, have three children--Holly, Barrett and Benton.

Robin Carter Clem, Class of 1990 

Mrs. Clem received the Lydia Malvina Hammerly Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award. A 1994 graduate of Athens State, she played softball and was very involved in student activities while on campus. She attended Birmingham School of Law and currently is in private law practice with her own firm in Huntsville. She also serves on the Athens State Alumni Board.  

Tommy and Marcella Coblentz and Family

Tommy and Marcella Coblentz of Athens, AL, longed for grandchildren since all of their three children were married. Then, within a 6-month span, they were blessed with 5 grandchildren. Their son, Tommy, Jr., and his wife, Julie, had twins, and their daughter, Quenta Pollard, and her husband, Al, had triplets. Congratulations  to all!

Another note concerning the Coblentz family: Tommy, Jr., moved to the position of  Regions Bank City President for Athens and Limestone County. 

Dr. Bill Thrasher

Dr. Bill Thrasher is stepping down as president of Columbia Academy in Columbia, TN, at the end of the 2007 school year, a position he has held since September, 1996. Dr. Thrasher has been in the field of education for over 30 years having served as teacher, coach and Athletic Director from grade school to junior college. He has been in administrative roles as Assistant Principal, Principal, Superintendent and President in both public and private education. 

Kathy DeFoor

Mrs. DeFoor, former fifth grade teacher at ABS and later a fourth grade teacher at Eva, was named the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4190 Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Cindy (Bloodworth) Lewter (ABS Class of 1993)

Cindy’s daughter, 5-year-old Katlyn Hill has been diagnosed with Leukemia. They are in need of financial help.  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. The family has a fund set up at:

Redstone Federal Credit Union

C/O Katlyn Hill

UAB Children's Hospital

Room #451

1600 Seventh Avenue South

Birmingham, AL 35233

Suzanne Chandler Schrimsher, Class of 1982

Suzanne is the hands-on partner in Suzanne's Bakery and Eatery at 12307-F East. Forrest Street in Athens. The bakery specializes in cakes, pies, cookies, as well as hearty salads, sandwiches, and casseroles. Also a partner in the business is Vickie Smith, mother of former student T. J. Smith. Members of Suzanne's staff who are also ABS alumni: April Besherse Ridgeway, her mother Denise Besherse, and Holly Clem  

Kim Lecroix Hodges, Class of 1976

Mrs. Hodges and her partner, Joe Stovall, own Alabama Realty Group, Inc., specializing in sales of homes and farms and land. Mrs. Hodges is the company's broker. She is the mother of 4 children and grandmother of 2. 

Ben Curry

Ben was hired by UAH as a student assistant in computer support, as he was graduating from ABS. Now a CISSP, MCP, CNE, and CCNA, Ben has more than 15 years of experience designing, managing, implementing, and securing datacenter IT solutions. He specializes in knowledge management and collaboration technologies as a trainer and consultant for Mindsharp, a company focused on the next generation of Microsoft products. Ben is also a coauthor of The Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Administrator's Companion -- William R. Stanek, Series Editor.  Published by Microsoft Press.

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