The last remaining FAMU trustee who voted “no” against James Ammons’ presidential candidacy is gone.Yesterday, Gov. Charlie Crist replaced Trustee Laura Branker with Torey Alston. Alston’s term began on Monday and, if he is confirmed by the Florida Senate, will continue until January 6, 2015.
Branker is special assistant to the director at the District of Columbia Department of Health. She previously served as a deputy chief of staff for former Gov. Jeb Bush, who appointed her to FAMU’s Board of Trustees.
With Branker’s exit, FAMU only has two remaining trustees who were originally appointed by Bush: R.B. Holmes, Jr. and Bill Jennings.Holmes’ term ends on January 6, 2011. Jennings’ term runs out on January 6, 2013.
Alston is chief of staff for Broward County Commissioner Al Jones. His brother, Corey Alston, served on FAMU’s board from January 2006 until his resignation that June.
Crist also reappointed Trustee Solomon Badger, III to a term that ends on January 6, 2015.
Congratulations Torey! Let's get to work.
ReplyDeleteseriously? What are the qualifications to be a Trustee?
ReplyDeleteIs this the best we could do, chief of staff to a County Commissioner? Phuleeez!!
ReplyDeleteWhy did Corey Alston leave the BOT?
ReplyDeleteCongrats Torey! Well deserved...many who don't know you, will talk say you are under 30....YOU DONT HAVE TO BE 80 YEARS OLD TO SERVE!
ReplyDeleteKeep your head up Torey.
Good choice by the Governor....selecting a young rattler!
What county are you from 1:08?
ReplyDeleteCorey left because the old board was awful and he had to be the one to force change, which worked.
ReplyDeleteMy only concern with Torey Alston is his response to the Marcus Jones (the pledgee that the Kappas beat damn near to death) situation. I read where Alston commented "that's a process that you have to go through" when the hazing was brought to his attention. If this is true, then Torey Alston should be indicted for a covering up this crime.
ReplyDeleteHating never ends...when someone is intelligent, brilliant and young, we think its good until they get elevated...people initially hated on Barack....get over it!
ReplyDeleteIf the Governor has confidence, why hate!?
8:35 PM and other T. Alston supporters,
ReplyDeleteIt's not hate that some raise some very good questions about Torey's selection. While he may be an intelligent person with lots of potential--by the way I don't know him--his selection does warrant some speculation about the type of experience he brings to the board and more importantly his influence and connections.
And by the way, the last two governors have initially had confidence in all board members selected. What type of BOT members have we had?
7:29PM
ReplyDeleteMaturity has set in for all parties, trust me on that one.
Great Selection by Gov. Crist.
ReplyDeleteTorey will serve Well, regardless of the "Haters", & their "Small" talk.
Keep Doing You, Torey !!!
HFJ.
I wrote the comment at 1:08 PM (4/13). I have to say I would count Torey as friend. However as an alumnus and thus stakeholder in FAMU, I believe we need strong experienced connections with deep networks.
ReplyDeleteI think Torey is on the right path and will eventually be that person. I just don't think he is that person now. The reason SBI was successful under Mobley, was becuase she had deep personal and professional relationships and could walk into a board room and demand internships. That doesnt happen overnight.
I wish him the best but my concerns are still very valid.
I have worked with Torey at DMS...so I have seen him raise a quarter of a million dollars for the past 3 years with his team for the state's MatchMaker...attracting companies such as Walt Disney, AT&T, and FP&L...at his age, not many can claim that.
ReplyDeleteConnections...why do you think he was Executive Director of the state's MWBE Program for nearly 3 years and now Chief of Staff...its clear to me he has connections somwehere
Its refreshing to have a rattler..a young rattler with his dedication...if you don't know him, give him time and you too will see his light shine.
To all the haters who, please kill yourself. If you know who Torey is, his past role at DMS required to deal with executives of major companies who he received funding from for his “match makers.” Though is young, it’s about time some youth got into these positions and is able to make some changes, instead of these old people who can barely stay awake or remember each other’s names.
ReplyDeleteThree Cheers to Governor Christ for bringing in another good person to the BOT of FAMU. A rising leader in the community and a great rattler man who will make decision based on the betterment of FAMU. Torey has a big network of contacts that would definitely come in handy. He brings more to the table at the age of 25 than most of the current BOT who are all 40 plus.
Well, at least he can get the younger alumni to be more active, 1:08. Maybe now there will be some attention to the urgency of our distance learning and online course offering needs. The emergency of our needing to replace Rev. Holmes is almost as serious as us getting the continuing, distance and online courses up and running. Preferably by the summer, this is such a wasted revenue stream. I mean so many people need certifications and refresher courses, versatility in scheduling, especially since so many jobs are at risk and the revenue stream is choked by the republicans. I know that some places are waiving fees if a student enrolls in more than 12 hours, helping grad rates too. Perhaps that would save the jobs if people who aren't in Tallahassee needed instruction were afforded the online and distance options. It's 2010, we don't have flying cars but, WE CAN DO THIS FAMU! Let's go Torey Alston.
ReplyDeleteDamn, I didn't know Branker was so fine. Anybody got a number?
ReplyDeleteI'm fine with Torey's age as long as we don't start seeing a bunch of young FAMU BOT Members with tatoos all over their necks, ankles, etc. Don't bring that loud, lazy, jazzy stuff to FAMU's BOT "because that's what young people do". If he can energize these apathetic, "net check attic" students of ours to participate in school activities (convocation, march to the capital, athetic events, etc) then I'd like to welcome him on board. It seems to me that most of our students are only interested in Be Out Day, Low Life Thug Concerts, complaining about financial aid, running to the malls, eating, and laying up on their asses.
ReplyDeleteWhat's up with the vendetta against Trustees who voted against President Ammons?
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong, it seems that President Ammons is doing a good job. It also seemed that he was the most qualified (FAMU ties aside) of the applicant pool. But couldn't reasonable and intelligent people think another candidate would be better? The other candidates also had substantial resumes. I just don't get it.
Thelma Thompson, the candidate Branker supported, had a horrible audit history just like Castell Bryant. To make matters worse, Thompson tried to dodge BOT questions about her messed up audits.
ReplyDeleteJames Ammons had an outstanding audit record at NCCU. He rarely had any audit findings at all.
There was NO comparison between Ammons' financial management skills and those of Thompson.
Hubba. Also I'd replace Rev. Holmes and Dr. Mack King Carter. Someone would have to be replaced because I'd add Dr. Niara Sudarkasa. That means we can add two seats one which Dr. Sudarkasa would stand and one for a graduate student.
ReplyDeleteWhy do people like to say, Get Over It"? Nobody has to get over anything because you said so. If the person you're directing that comment towards is emotional about his/her statement....ok !!!
ReplyDeleteWith all of these "freedoms" we're suppose to have, shouldn't we have the right to express what we please?
LOL....so this is how Crist gets back at Jeb for supporting Rubio....LOL...probably not a great move for FAMU...but hilarious all the same....
ReplyDelete@12:46p, I don't think anyone can get the younger alums financially active. But if he can pull it off, then I stand with him.
ReplyDeleteClass of 2002
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Class of 2006 Guy said...
ReplyDeleteWhat's up with the vendetta against Trustees who voted against President Ammons?
Don't get me wrong, it seems that President Ammons is doing a good job. It also seemed that he was the most qualified (FAMU ties aside) of the applicant pool. But couldn't reasonable and intelligent people think another candidate would be better? The other candidates also had substantial resumes. I just don't get it.
4/14/2010 1:29 PM
Ok, what reasonable and intelligent people are you referring to?
I was asking whether reasonable and intelligent people could disagree regarding which candidate was best.
ReplyDeleteIt's not like the rest of the pool were *plainly* unqualified. IF I remember correctly, I think many of their resumes were similar to Ammons, without the FAMU experience obviously.
I was asking generally...I don't remember which Trustees, other than Branker obviously, voted against Ammons.
For further clarification: if reasonable and intelligent people could disagree regarding which candidate is the best, why ostracize and demonize the Trustees who voted no?
ReplyDeleteIt's entirely impossible that I'm missing something here. However, I think that a culture where we demonize and remove those with divergent views is NOT healthy for FAMU. The "business as usual" attitude here has caused the scandal we've had.
I think the blog author, in another post, suggests that the DRS superintendent has the job because of pressure on Pres. Ammons from Trustee Holmes. The author points out that Holmes has leverage because he helped Pres. Ammons get the position. At the same time, however, he wants to exorcise any dissenting trustees? The entire idea of demonizing these folks seems ridiculous, in this setting.
You'll notice that my postings are not supporting or disrespecting any particular individual. That is because I don't have an interest in that. I'm questioning the culture where we feel the need to get rid of anyone with different views, one that I've seen presented on this blog most often.
The six trustees who voted for Thompson supported her despite her terrible audit record. That is unacceptable. Let those trustees go hurt some one else's university. We don't welcome that type of reckless decision-making here at FAMU.
ReplyDelete