Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority Hires Kathryn “Niki” Ogletree as Project Manager

December 12, 2023

The Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority (VLCDA) is pleased to announce that Kathryn "Niki" Ogletree has joined the organization as a project manager. 

Ogletree will support the executive director in facilitating and managing all aspects of the site selection process, including initial contact, research, presentations, prospect visits, and obtaining required documents leading to industry announcements. She will also assist in industrial park planning, maintenance, acquisition, and infrastructure process.

A Valdosta native, Ogletree joined the VLCDA after working 13 years at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, where she served as executive director of institutional effectiveness and previously executive director for academic affairs. In both positions, she gained extensive experience in post-secondary education, including academic affairs, faculty licensure and credentials, and institutional effectiveness.

 "Niki brings an expansive skillset and experience in academic training, research, and data collection," said VLCDA Executive Director Andrea Schruijer. "I am confident she will excel as our project manager and provide tremendous value as we focus on industry recruitment and expansion efforts."

Ogletree earned a Bachelor of Arts in English at Valdosta State University and a Master of Science, Adult and Continuing Education, with a concentration in psychology, from the University of West Alabama.

 "I'm excited and grateful to be part of this dedicated team," Ogletree said. "This job allows me to utilize my academic experience on a larger scale to help with expansion, retention, and increasing workforce opportunities that make a greater economic impact within Valdosta and Lowndes County." 

Ogletree and her husband, Lee, have a son, Owen, a seventh-grader at the Valdosta STEM Academy.