Dateline: May 9, 2019
Athens State University is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Jim America and Mr. William Dunnavant to the Board of Trustees by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. Their appointments are for a seven-year term beginning on October 1, 2019 and ending on September 30, 2026.
William Dunnavant
Jim America
Mr. Jim America currently serves as the Human Resources Executive at Carpenter Technology Corporation in Athens, Alabama. He began his career as a Process Engineer in the 1980s and transitioned into the field of Human Resources in the 1990s. He served as the Vice President of Human Resources at U.S. Pipe and Foundry Company in Birmingham from 2003-2009 and Colonial Pipeline Company in Atlanta from 2009-2012. America graduated from Auburn University in 1985 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, and he received his Master’s degree in Public and Private Management from Birmingham-Southern College in 2009. He currently resides in Madison, Alabama.
Mr. William Dunnavant has an extensive career in radio and television broadcast and production. He was the president and owner of Athens Broadcasting, Inc. for nearly 40 years and co-produced the Alabama Republican Convention Network, Stage Door Nashville National Network, and World Football League Birmingham American Network. He also founded Athens Limestone Bank, Reliance Bank, and ZYP Productions. Dunnavant is currently partnering with Alabama Upstarts, a television program where entrepreneurs in Alabama can pitch their ideas to local investors. Dunnavant graduated from Athens State College in May 1971 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He currently resides in Athens, Alabama.
“We are excited to welcome Mr. America and Mr. Dunnavant to Athens State’s Board of Trustees,” said Mr. Ronnie Chronister, Board Chairman. “Their many years of business experience will be a great asset in leading the institution into the future.”
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the governance of Athens State University, with quarterly meetings open to the public. The remaining members of the Athens State University Board of Trustees include Governor Kay Ivey (Ex-Officio President), Mr. Ronnie Chronister (Chair), Mr. Macke Mauldin (Vice-Chair), Ms. Crystal Brown, Chancellor Jimmy Baker, Ms. Mary C. Dickens, Senator Arthur Orr, Mrs. Missy Ming Smith, and Dr. Sandra Sims-deGraffenried.
