Orange Grove Center Board Member Rosie Russell was elected president of Orange Grove’s board of directors. Ms. Russell has continuously served on Orange Grove’s Board since 2003, and replaces attorney Gary Napolitan of Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan, who now serves as the board’s chairman.
Ms. Russell has experience as a recruiter and interviewer for Volkswagen, and has served on the Southeast Tennessee Placement Consortium business advisory board. She has worked with the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, and the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce’s Get a Job Program.
She is currently the lead boutique and operations coordinator at Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that aims to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the necessary tools needed to thrive.
Orange Grove currently serves Ms. Russell’s son Thomas “Bubba” Russell, who is among the individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities that Orange Grove seeks to support through its array of programs and day services. Bubba has utilized Orange Grove’s services since he was six years old, and has continued to be a part of Orange Grove through its employment programs after graduating from Orange Grove’s education program.
“I was very honored to be presented with the opportunity, because my affiliation with Orange Grove goes back for more than 20 years,” Ms. Russell said. “I am very happy to continue to be a part of Orange Grove, because it’s been a major part of my family’s life.”
Each president of Orange Grove’s board is nominated by its nominating committee, resulting in an
election within the board itself. The president of the board serves a two-year term beginning in July of the year of their election, coinciding with the beginning of Orange Grove’s fiscal year.
“We are grateful for Rosie’s commitment to serve in this capacity, and we’re looking forward to her
leadership as she helps us to fulfill our mission to support the individuals we serve,” said Tera Roberts, Orange Grove’s CEO. “We are also glad and thankful for Gary’s ongoing support and participation in his new role as chairman.”