Festive music was in the air as the Dooly County Marching Band played on the downtown square in Vienna, Georgia, greeting those attending the Swearing In Ceremony for the newly elected and appointed Dooly County School Board Members.  Probate Judge Rooney Bowen, III, performed the honors at the Dooly County Courthouse to a packed-out room of witnesses and three television stations.  Thunderous applaud was given after the ceremony, followed by a meet and greet time, and then Dooly County Schools Superintendent Celeta Thomas announced that light refreshments would be served at the high school.

Rev. F. Thomas (Tommy) Mason, Jr.

Mason is a retired United Methodist minister. He is serving the Methodist church in Leslie at the request of his District Superintendent. While an active minister, Mason served a number of large congregations, was Macon District Superintendent and held positions in the South Georgia Conference that required financial management and oversight of conference assets and benefit programs. Prior to entering the ministry, he operated an insurance agency in Vienna and Cordele. Mason is a graduate of the Dooly County school system, Georgia Tech, and Emory University. He resides in Vienna.

Dr. Wanda Parker-Jackson

Parker-Jackson is a retired educator with 34 years of experience. She previously served as director of elementary education and professional learning in Sumter County and managed the district preschool program. Parker-Jackson has also worked as a school principal, assistant principal and speech-language pathologist. She also has experience as a faculty member as several institutes of higher education. Parker-Jackson is a graduate of Florida A&M Developmental Research High School, Florida A&M University, Valdosta State University, Troy State University, and Walden University. She lives in Vienna.

Michael Bowens

Bowens is the city manager for the City of Vienna. He previously worked with Georgia Pacific. Bowens previously served on the Dooly County Board of Education (1991-2002) and the Board of the Directors for the Dooly County Chamber of Commerce. He sits on the Boards of Directors for the Southwest Georgia United Empowerment Zone and the Certified Literate Community. Bowens is a member of the Dooly County Industrial Development Authority and the Upper Flint Regional Water Planning Council. He is a graduate of Georgia Southwestern State University and resides in Vienna.

Cory Allen Jones

Jones is a 2006 graduate of Dooly County High School, who attended Dooly County Schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade and attended Valdosta State University.  Currently, Cory is the owner of Nine Hundred Ten, a home decor and seasonal store in Perry. He is also owner of Jones and Company, in which he does commercial and residential design.  Aside from his entrepreneurships, Cory dedicates his time to family, friends, and the community. For several years he was a volunteer for The Learning Foundation, Inc., where he “taught” K-12 students with learning disabilities and social disorders. He is the President of the Perry Downtown Merchants Association, Executive Director of Memory Making Meals in Dooly County, and is an Accredited Pageantry Judge with the Miss America Organization.  Cory is also an avid member of the haunt industry, which began at Wild Adventures in Valdosta and since has been a producer, director, set designer, and horror makeup artist.

Katrice Martin Taylor

JoKatrice is 1996 graduate of Dooly County High where she graduated as the Valedictorian and an Honor student. She currently is an English Instructor at South Georgia Technical College. She has a B.A in English and a Master’s of Public Administration both from  Valdosta State University. She is the daughter of Rev. Carlton and Gloria Martin of Pinehurst,GA. She is married to Shon Taylor. They have three children: Tyjae, Jalen, and Jakari.