Gooding named chairman Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority Board

VALDOSTA—Mary B. Gooding, Valdosta State University’s director of marketing and community relations, has been named chairman of the board for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority (VLCIA) Board of Directors.

“I’m honored to be selected to serve as chairman,” said Gooding. “These are challenging economic times, but together the Industrial Authority, the city and county, and our educational institutions, including VSU, can work to improve our workforce and the local job opportunities for them.”

Prior to joining VSU in 2005 as director of alumni and community relations, Gooding was executive director for the Partnership for Metropolitan Development. She has also held various positions with the IBM Corporation for 23 years.

Gooding has served on the VLCIA board since 2009. She is involved in several civic organizations including the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and VSU Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Gooding was a member of the Leadership Lowndes class of 2005.

Gooding is a native of Atlanta, Ga., and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is married to Tom Gooding, and they have two children.

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities.

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals:

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Goal 5: Develop and enhance Valdosta State’s human and physical resources.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.