Deborah Daniels, President
Deborah Denise Daniels is a native of Michigan. She was born in Inkster, Michigan but moved to Riverdale, Georgia in March, 1979. She is a graduate of Inkster High School and later continued to pursue her studies at the University of Michigan. Deborah has been married to John for 24 years: they moved to DeKalb County 14 years ago. She has three girls, DeAnna age 24, and Jamie age 20, and a 38-year-old God-daughter named Kenyett.
She joined the Heart of Peachtree chapter in June, 2009, and immediately started sharing her “Spiritual Gifts”. Since joining HOP, Deborah has been actively involved as Membership chairperson where the HOP chapter membership has grown by 5 members and one associate. Her participation includes but is not limited to being a host member on this year’s Certification and Development Workshop /Student Conference, a registered participant to both the Georgia Division and Education Forum and Annual Meeting, and a candidate at the May sitting of the CPS/CAP exam.
Deborah has been employed with McDonough Bolyard Peck, a construction management firm, for three years. Currently, she is the Administrative Assistant for the Atlanta Branch where she supports the Vice President/Regional Manager, Branch Operations and Business Development Mangers, and several other Team Members.
Deborah is a certified Event Coordinator specializing in creative ideas that make any event “A Unique One”. In her pastime, she is either doing some sort of crafting, interior designing or leisurely traveling and spending lots of time with family. Mostly you can find her expanding her territory in “Spiritual Gift” giving. She has one brother (Gary) who resides in Michigan and one sister (Gardenia) who resides in Georgia.
Vicki Huxford, CPS/CAP, Vice President
Vicki Kindt Huxford is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduating from high school, she came to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend Atlanta Christian College, from which she graduated in 1973. In August of 1973, Vicki was married to Samuel W. (Wye) Huxford. They moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they both attended graduate school and worked with a small congregation in northern Kentucky. In 1976, Vicki and Wye both received master’s degrees and moved to Atlanta to teach at Atlanta Christian College. Vicki taught in the music department for 11 years. Since then, she has held several administrative assistant positions—in a church office, at Georgia-Pacific, and for the European Evangelistic Society. While working at Georgia-Pacific, Vicki was introduced to the HOP chapter. She has been a member since 2001, serving in several offices and chairing several committees.
Vicki has two grown daughters, Sarah and Bethany, one son-in-law, Chad, and four grand-dogs. She enjoys church activities, playing piano and organ, singing with the Masterworks Chorale in Newnan, Georgia, bowling and cross stitching.
Rita Blanding, Secretary
Rita Cade Blanding (officially known as Alrita Cade Blanding) is a native of New York City and was born and raised in Harlem. Rita graduated from Jane Addams Vocational High School in 1983 where she studied nursing. After high school and working for a few years, Rita attended Borough of Manhattan Community College and received her Associate Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Business Management/Marketing in 1995. In 1997, Rita left the hustle and bustle of New York City and relocated to College Park, GA. She married Earl Blanding in October 2004 and they currently reside in Ellenwood, GA.
Rita has been a member of IAAP and the Heart of Peachtree Chapter since January 2010. She served as the APW Co-Chair in 2009-2010 and recently served as the APW and MOE Chair in 2010-2011. Rita has been employed with Booz Allen Hamilton consulting firm for 6 ½ years as an Executive Assistant.
During her leisure time, Rita enjoys spending time with her family and friends, listening to music, attending jazz concerts, traveling, gardening, and dancing. She has one brother and one sister and they both reside in New York City.
Faye Sawyer, Treasurer
Faye Lenita Sawyer is a native of Atlanta. Three days after graduation from Joseph Brown High School, Faye began working full-time at Trust Company Bank (now SunTrust Bank) and held positions in Retail (branch), Bank Operations and Treasury Management. The positions held were teller, Branch Personal Banker, lockbox processor, accounting assistant, trainer, managing editor of online implementation guidebook and Commercial Banking Specialist. Faye retired from SunTrust in August 2010 after 35 years with the title of Banking Officer.
Faye has been a member of IAAP since 1998 and currently holds dual memberships in the Georgia Power and Heart of Peachtree chapters, joining HOP in February, 2011. She currently serves as Friendship Service Committee Chair and Ways and Means Committee Chair for the Heart of Peachtree chapter.
During her leisure time, Faye enjoys trivia, particularly the game shows, “Jeopardy” and “Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader?” She enjoys listening to music, from rock to classical. Faye also enjoys reading (non-fiction), watching Food Network, Cooking Channel as well as cooking. She is “Mom” to six cats: AnnaLeaze, Pookie, Cookie, Little Guy, Rambo and Avatar.
Valisha Baldwin, CPS, Director
Valisha L. Baldwin, is a native Georgian. She is a graduate of Charles Lincoln Harper High School and the Atlanta Urban League Office System Training School. Valisha has been an employee of Georgia Pacific LLC for 25 years. She is currently the Executive Assistant of the Strategy & Business Development and Global Corporate Real Estate Departments. She actively participates in the GP Service Force volunteering in projects for Habitat for Humanity and the Atlanta Food Bank. Valisha has also been an active member of the GP Buddy program for 15 years, which provides tutoring to students in areas of Math and English at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School.
Valisha was one of 70 members to charter the Georgia-Pacific Chapter, now renamed Heart of Peachtree Chapter, of the IAAP. She has served four times as President, twice as President-Elect, Vice President and Treasurer, in addition to chairing several committees including Retirement Trust Foundation, Ways & Means, Membership and Community Service.
Valisha earned her CPS (Certified Professional Secretary) certification in 2000.
She has been an active member of the PSI/IAAP organization for 17 years.
Valisha served for 8 years in the United States Navy Reserves. She was called to active duty to serve one year in Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. She received numerous awards including the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and several Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals during her tenure. Valisha also serves on the Board of Directors at the Gresham Park Association as Treasurer and Certification Officer. Her interests include traveling, reading, bowling, coaching little league baseball, mentoring youth, jigsaw puzzles, gardening and spending time with family. Valisha and her husband (Terrence) of 18 years have one son.