Athens State University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Denver Betts, Mr. Tommy Coblentz, and Ms. Donna Coleman to the Board of Trustees by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. Their appointments are for a seven-year term beginning on October 1, 2024 and ending on September 30, 2031.
Dr. Denver Betts has 18 years of experience in a university setting, including over a decade of service at Athens State. His roles at Athens State included serving as Vice President of Academic Affairs, Special Assistant to the President for Minority Relations, Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director for University Centers, and Redstone Arsenal Extension Supervisor and Assistant Professor of Business. He holds an EdD in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Human Resource Development from Nova Southeastern University, MA in Management from Central Michigan University, and BS in Commerce with a concentration in Management from University of Louisville. Dr. Betts currently resides in Huntsville.
Mr. Tommy Coblentz is currently the Athens State University Foundation Board President and the Athens/Limestone County Market President at Bryant Bank in Athens, Alabama. He has over 20 years of experience in the banking industry and has served in roles such as Treasury Management Officer, SVP; Retail Bank Executive & Area Marketing Director, Sr. VP; and Business Banking Sales Manager at Regions Bank. He holds an MBA from the University of North Alabama, and a BS in Finance from Auburn University.
Ms. Donna Coleman is the President/CEO at Aetos Systems Inc. in Huntsville, Alabama. She currently serves on the Athens State University Foundation Board and is a member of the NASA Marshall Small Business Alliance’s Executive Leadership Team. She has been the recipient of several awards over the last decade, including NASA Small Business Sub-Contractor of the Year, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year, and U.S. Small Business Administration’s Alabama Small Business Person of the Year. Ms. Coleman holds a BS from Athens State University, an Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) from Calhoun Community College, and a Continuing Education Certificate in Supervisory Development and Project Management from University of Alabama – Huntsville. She currently resides in Madison, Alabama.
“While we will miss our departing board members who have served the institution well, we look forward to Dr. Betts, Mr. Coblentz, and Ms. Coleman joining us,” said Senator Arthur Orr, Board Chairman. “Athens State holds much promise for the future and we need wise leaders like these to help us navigate that path.”
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), Senator Arthur Orr (Chair), Mr. Jim America (Vice-Chair), Chancellor Jimmy Baker, Mr. William “Bill” Dunnavant, Representative Mac McCutcheon, Mr. Goodrich A. “Dus” Rogers, and Mr. Mike Underwood.