June 29, 2007

LIVINGSTON, Ala.--Dr. Ken Tucker is The University of West Alabama’s choice to lead the College of Business.

The University recently announced Tucker’s appointment as professor of management and dean of the College of Business. He has most recently served as interim director of the University’s Regional Center for Community and Economic Development, acting as a facilitator of economic development in the Black Belt region. Prior to that, Tucker was director of training and education for Weyerhaeuser Corporation’s 24 primary mills and 78 converting plants in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

This hiring marks Tucker’s second term in the College. From 1982-93, he was an associate professor of management and director of the University’s Small Business Development Center. During his years away from UWA, he was also director of human resources and special projects for Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital and director of the Center for Forestry, Paper and Chemical Technology at the Alabama Technology Network.

“The University is pleased to have someone with Dr. Tucker’s background in education and in business and industry to assume the helm of the College of Business,” said UWA President Richard D. Holland. “It’s also to his credit that he has a great familiarity with the University and the region.”

In addition to a 1991 University of Alabama doctorate in administration of higher education, Tucker holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from UA and a master’s degree in management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Tucker serves on the Marengo County Commission, West Alabama Regional Alliance Board of Directors and Alabama Workforce Development Regional Advisory Board. A Paul Harris Fellow in the Demopolis Rotary Club, he is chairperson of the UWA Foundation Board of Directors. He is also a graduate of Leadership Alabama and a charter member of Leadership Marengo County. In addition, he served as president of the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce and chairperson of the Demopolis City Schools Board of Education. Named Demopolis Citizen of the Year in 1996, Tucker also serves in numerous other professional and community organizations. 

Tucker and his wife, Mary, reside in Demopolis. They are the parents of four daughters, Allison, Kimberly, Lara and Rachel.