Board of Directors
The Board of Directors for C.A. Fredd Jr. Career and Tech Academy is dedicated to supporting our mission of empowering students with the skills, knowledge, and real‑world experiences needed to excel in today’s workforce. Our board provides strategic direction, oversight, and leadership to ensure the academy continues to grow, innovate, and serve our community with excellence.
We are in the process of finalizing our board structure and membership. Full Board of Directors information will be published here soon.
C. A. Fredd Jr.
Community Leader and Champion of Career & Technical Education
C.A. Fredd Jr. is a highly respected educator, workforce development leader, and community advocate whose family has long been recognized as pillars in the Tuscaloosa community and across Alabama’s Black Belt Region. The C.A. Fredd Jr. Career and Technical Academy is proudly named in his honor, reflecting both his personal legacy and the enduring contributions of the Fredd family in advancing equitable access to high-quality career and technical education (CTE.
For more than three decades, Mr. Fredd has dedicated his career to strengthening workforce pipelines and expanding opportunities for students through hands-on, industry-aligned education. Beginning his career as an electrical instructor, he went on to design and lead technical training programs that prepared students for high-demand careers while meeting regional labor market needs.
Beyond his individual work, the Fredd family has played a critical role in shaping the regional CTE ecosystem, serving as trusted leaders and advocates for workforce development initiatives throughout Tuscaloosa County and the broader Black Belt Region. Their leadership has been instrumental in building partnerships among schools, community colleges, industry leaders, and civic organizations to ensure students have access to meaningful, sustainable career pathways.
Mr. Fredd is widely known for his mentorship, his deep commitment to community uplift, and his unwavering belief that education should be both practical and transformative. The naming of the academy stands as a tribute to his life’s work and to a family legacy rooted in service, leadership, and the advancement of economic mobility through career and technical education.
Dr. Natalie Thornton
Dr. Natalie Thornton serves with the Alabama Community College System (ACCS), where she plays a vital role in advancing statewide initiatives designed to promote student success, workforce readiness, and institutional effectiveness. In her capacity, Dr. Thornton contributes to shaping strategic priorities that enhance the alignment between Alabama’s postsecondary education and the evolving demands of regional and state labor markets. Drawing upon her background in educational leadership, assessment, and program development, she leads efforts to design data-informed strategies that strengthen student outcomes and institutional performance. Her work often bridges the gap between classroom learning and career application, fostering collaborative partnerships among colleges, industry leaders, and workforce agencies to expand credentialing opportunities and promote economic mobility for students. Dr. Thornton is recognized for her innovative approach to integrating evidence-based practices into statewide policy and programming, ensuring that Alabama’s community colleges remain at the forefront of equitable and high-quality education.
Dr. Abigail Carter
Dr. Abigail Carter, also with the Alabama Community College System, is a champion of educational innovation, policy development, and instructional improvement across Alabama’s two-year colleges. She focuses on strengthening teaching and learning through initiatives that promote equitable access to academic and technical education. Dr. Carter’s work emphasizes the importance of aligning classroom instruction with real-world workforce needs, ensuring that students are not only prepared for employment but also positioned for long-term career advancement. Her leadership includes guiding professional learning for faculty, developing frameworks for curriculum coherence, and supporting policy implementation that enhances program quality and student engagement. Through her collaborative approach, Dr. Carter works closely with institutional leaders, instructors, and community partners to advance ACCS’s mission of transforming lives through education and training. She is known for her strategic insight, deep understanding of instructional systems, and dedication to expanding educational opportunity across Alabama’s diverse communities.
Dr. Jeremy W. Bohonos
Academic and Administrative Leadership
Dr. Jeremy W. Bohonos is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology at Texas State University, where he focuses on career and technical education (CTE) and workforce development. He holds a Ph.D. in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a specialization in Human Resource Development (HRD) from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Bohonos’ research examines workforce equity, organizational practices, and career pathways, with a particular emphasis on addressing structural barriers and promoting inclusive CTE programs. He is actively engaged in workforce development initiatives, providing research-based guidance to improve CTE program design, labor market alignment, and career readiness.
Mark Drake
Mark Drake is a seasoned quality and hygiene leader at L’Oréal USA, bringing over two decades of experience in corporate auditing and manufacturing excellence. Currently, he serves as the Global Corporate Audit Manager, overseeing quality assurance and hygiene standards across the Americas. Previously, he held the position of Assistant Vice President of Quality & Hygiene for the Americas, where he led initiatives to ensure product safety and compliance across the region. His career at L’Oréal also includes roles such as Director of Manufacturing Equipment Hygiene and Quality Project Manager, where he was instrumental in implementing rigorous quality control systems and hygiene protocols. Drake’s expertise is pivotal in maintaining L’Oréal’s commitment to delivering high-quality, safe, and effective beauty products to consumers worldwide.
Aubrey Carter
Aubrey Carter serves as the Community Relations Manager for Alabama Power, where he provides strategic leadership in strengthening partnerships, advancing community development initiatives, and fostering economic growth across Alabama’s Black Belt region. Based in Selma, Carter is deeply invested in the social and economic vitality of the communities he serves. His role centers on building and sustaining collaborative relationships among local businesses, civic organizations, educational institutions, and workforce development agencies. Through these partnerships, he works to expand access to opportunity, promote workforce readiness, and support initiatives that enhance the overall quality of life for residents in the region.
Carter’s leadership at Alabama Power is grounded in a philosophy of shared value—one that views community engagement as both a moral and strategic imperative. He plays an instrumental role in aligning corporate resources with community priorities, ensuring that Alabama Power remains a trusted and active partner in local progress. His efforts include coordinating philanthropic investments, facilitating volunteer engagement, and leading regional initiatives that address critical needs such as education, small business support, and infrastructure improvement.
Over the years, Carter has earned a reputation for his ability to bring people together around common goals. His deep understanding of the Black Belt’s history, challenges, and potential allows him to navigate complex community dynamics with empathy and integrity. Whether leading workforce initiatives, collaborating with educational partners, or representing Alabama Power in civic forums, Carter’s work reflects a sustained commitment to creating lasting, equitable impact throughout the state of Alabama.
