Diversity Think-Tank Names New Chairman
ATLANTA - Ralph Cleveland, Executive Vice President, Engineering and Operations for AGL Resources (AGLR) has been named the new Board Chairman for the AIMD Board of Trustees.
The AIMD is one of the nation’s foremost leading nonprofit think tanks dedicated to the advancement of diversity management. Through research, education and public outreach, AIMD advances diversity thought leadership. The organization was founded in 1984 by Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr., and has educated both the public and the business community about the positive impact of diversity management. AIMD launched the Diversity Leadership Academy® (DLA), a community-based leadership development program in diversity management, in 2001 to help strengthen businesses and communities. "Garnering the leadership of a world class corporate executive like Ralph Cleveland is a real coup for our organization. He is committed to helping AIMD navigate its way through one of the toughest economic times in history, and he understands the Institute - having gone through our programs and used his learning in business practice," says John Latham, Diversity Partner at Alston & Bird LLP and immediate Past-Chairman of the Board. Ralph has served on the Board of Trustees since 2007 and is a graduate of the Diversity Leadership Academy, class of 2005. Cleveland has responsibility for leading AGL’s efforts in identifying and developing midstream and utility assets. He has overseen $1.7 billion in asset development since the start of 2005. He oversees approximately $1.4 billion in supply chain activities, annually. He also provides senior executive oversight of the organization's Office of Technology and Environmental Sustainability. AIMD looks forward to continuing its legacy of leadership in the diversity space and is celebrating its recent successes, including hosting the distinguished dialogue with Shirley Sherrod and Dr. R. Thomas Roosevelt at Emory University. In 2011, AIMD will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the DLA Atlanta and enroll a class of 2011, to be held April – September. This legendary program has graduated over 1200 leaders across the country and 300 alumni here in Atlanta.
