Parks
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine has recently named Darnae Parks as the director of diversity and community partnerships at PCOM Georgia. In this role, Parks will work to implement educational, assessment and quality improvement programs and initiatives as they relate to cultural competency and diversity, and inclusion.
Parks said, “As a proud member of several minority groups, I have experienced speed bumps and roadblocks that only delayed my determined outcomes.” He added, “My goal in this position is to make sure that our faculty and staff have the best resources to ensure that our future medical providers, pharmacists, psychologists and scientists are properly prepared to assist our growing diverse communities.”
Parks most recently served as the associate director of admissions at PCOM Georgia. In this position, he oversaw the application process for the Doctor of Pharmacy and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs, as well as the Physician Assistant Studies and Medical Laboratory Science graduate programs. In addition, he developed partnerships with organizations to promote academic program growth.
Parks serves as a member of the President’s Task Force for Underrepresented Minorities in Recruitment and Retention, as well as chair of the PCOM LGBTQIA+ Council. In addition, he serves as a health advisory board member for Gwinnett County Public Schools. He was honored by the 2017 – 2018 PCOM Georgia Student Organizations Council with a Staff and Services Recognition Award.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Newberry College, Newberry, S.C.. In addition, he earned a master’s of strategic leadership development from Clayton State University.
Gwinnett Chamber welcomes 38 new members to its board
The Gwinnett Chamber welcomed 38 new members to its 2022 Board of Directors with a comprehensive board orientation meeting. The program outlined the organization’s purpose, activities, and board responsibilities throughout the year.
Nick Masino, president and CEO, says: “We have intentionally worked to grow our board of directors over the last two years so that it reflects the diversity of our community. To that end, our board now boasts the most diverse group of members in the Chamber’s 74-year history, and I look forward to working with them as we champion business together in Gwinnett and metro Atlanta.”
New members joining the Gwinnett Chamber Board of Directors for the 2022 fiscal year include:
- Hilda Abbott, Rudhil Companies, LLC;
- Mason Ailstock, Rowen Foundation, Inc.;
- Tasha Allen, Georgia Chamber of Commerce;
- Houston Bass, Truist;
- Jasmine Billings, Gwinnett Young Professionals;
- Chris Braun, Renasant Bank;
- Ray Cobb, JBM Marketing Solutions;
- Dr. Saadiq El-Amin, El-Amin Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Institute and Regenerative Medicine;
- Terry Fox, Fox Building Company;
- Joe Godfrey, Oconee State Bank;
- Marcus Hinton, Agios Pharmaceuticals;
- Mathias Hoffman, German American Chamber of Commerce;
- Cynthia Kaye, Alive Studios;
- Alvin Keitt, ARK Temporary Staffing, LLC;
- Trey King, Gwinnett Municipal Association;
- Michael Knowles, Fifth Third Bank;
- Todd Long, Atlas;
- Veronica Maldonado-Torres, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce;
- P.K. Martin, Hood Insurance Agency;
- Nancy McGill, Cartridge World Lawrenceville;
- Linnea Miller, Long Table, LLC;
- Tim Minard, Eclipse Gaming;
- Imran Niazi, Blackwater Construction Group, LLC;
- Rick Packer, The Packer Group;
- Faruq Patel, FLA, LLC;
- Cole Porter, Porter Steel, Inc.;
- Senator Sheikh Rahman, Gwinnett Senate Delegation chair;
- Jessica Rantamake, Geo-Hydro Engineers, Inc.;
- Kamden Robb, Gas South;
- Kim Rousseau, Perkins Will;
- Linda Schoepf, Little Caesars;
- Chandler Snell, E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc;.
- Bryant Spann, CarMax;
- Greg Swinks, Tayva Holdings;
- Bruno Taillefer, Taillefer Commercial Group;
- Deon Tucker, Georgia Power;
- Wanda Weegar, Georgia Banking Company; and
- Bob Williams, Pond and Company.
The Gwinnett Chamber will hold its first full board meeting of the year on Thursday, January 20, at the 1818 Club.
Gwinnett’s Sever is 2021 transportation professional of year
Gwinnett Department of Transportation Assistant Director Tom Sever was recognized as the 2021 Transportation Professional of the Year by the Georgia Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers. The award recognizes individuals who have contributed substantially to the safe and efficient movement of people or goods in the state.
With more than 26 years of professional experience, Sever has served Gwinnett County for two decades, previously as deputy director of Traffic Engineering, Operations and Maintenance; division director of Traffic Engineering; and chief engineer of the Traffic Signal and ITS Section.
He has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Sever is the fifth Gwinnett County Government employee to receive this award. He and his wife Tracy have two sons, Austin and Wesley.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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