After an extensive search, Sanford Knight, President of the Board of Directors for the Albany ARC, along with the other members of the Board of Directors is proud to announce that Mr. Clyde R. (Sonny) Slate has been selected as the Executive Director for the agency.

Mr. Slate brings over 30 years of experience in human services organizational administration in mental health, developmental disabilities, dually diagnosed and physical disability service populations.

Mr. Slate served as the Director of Program Services at Albany ARC from October 2013 until the present. Prior to coming to the Albany ARC, Mr. Slate was the Chief Operating Officer for the State of Georgia, DBHDD Services at Georgia Regional Hospital at Atlanta. Mr. Slate also served as the Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services for the State of Tennessee, MH/DD Services at the Memphis Mental Health Institute and prior to that he served as the Director of Staff Development for the State of Tennessee, Mental Health/Developmentally Disabled Services at the Arlington Development Center. Earlier in his career, he was the Clinical Core Team / Director, QMRP, QMHP at the Volunteers of America in the Carolinas in Charlotte, NC.

Mr. Slate holds an M.A. Interdisciplinary Studies – Human Growth and Development from the University of Memphis, he completed Additional Graduate Courses at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, N.C., he also holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, N.C.

Mr. Slate is married to Robyn, who is a Special Education Instructor in the Dougherty County School System.    

President Knight is also proud to announce that Ms. DeAnna Julian will be the Deputy Director for the agency.  Ms. Julian brings more than 15 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities as a knowledgeable, effective educator and administrative service coordinator.  She most recently was the Post-Secondary Transition Coordinator for Lee County Schools.  Her primary responsibility was the facilitation of appropriate transition for students with disabilities into post-secondary education, employment or agency placement. She educated students on self-advocacy, self-determination and taught vocational skills along with developing person-centered planning. Prior to this position, she taught 10 years as a special education teacher, working with moderate, severe and profound intellectually disabled students at Lee County High School.

Ms. Julian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Health and Physical Education from Georgia Southwestern State University, as well as teaching certificates in Early Childhood, Physical Education and Special Education K-12. She also holds a Master’s degree in Education and Transition Services from the University of Kansas.  Ms. Julian is married to Steve Julian, Jr. and he is employed as the Vice President of HTS Construction, Inc.

Ms. Annette T. Bowling, retired Executive Director, will continue to provide consultation to the agency. In a recent interview Ms. Bowling stated, “After 40+ years of working the halls and offices of the Capitol, I am ready to embrace retirement. As I look back, I am proud of all that we have accomplished for people with disabilities and their families in the State of Georgia. I can also look to the future confidently knowing that Albany ARC is in position to continue the tradition of providing quality care, support and services to the individuals that need it most. We are also well positioned to keep an active and effective presence at the Capitol to advocate for all citizens to have a better life regardless of their abilities.

I am confident that the new Executive Leadership Team for Albany Advocacy Resource Center will continue our strong renowned tradition of advocacy across the State of Georgia and I ask you to support them as you have supported me. Thank you for many great years.”