Online Division's Holladay Serves Double Duty as City Council President
Posted: Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Allyn Holladay lives a sort of double life. By day she serves Virginia College's online students as a Project Manager from the Birmingham division. By night, she serves as a councilperson for her adopted hometown of Homewood, a tree-lined suburb of Birmingham, Alabama. But now she's got one more title: Madam President.
Holladay, who served as president pro tem of the elected body, was appointed to lead the Homewood council recently when then-president Jeff Underwood stepped down because of health concerns. She's served on the council since her 2004 political debut, which followed her (and her neighbors') successful efforts to preserve seven acres of West Homewood land for what would become Patriot Park.
"I had to come out of my comfort zone," said Holladay about the road to her 2004 victory, "but I decided the challenge would be good for me, and an excellent example to set for my children. My family and I knocked on every door in the ward, and I was elected."
Since then Holladay has become active with the National League of Cities, serving as a representative on the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee. In this role she helps lobby at the state legislature and congressional levels.
So how does all this square with Holladay's day job?
"We are delighted for the people of Homewood to have such a good council president," said Stan Banks, EVP-COO for Virginia College's online division. "Allyn's great at what she does for us, but her public service is also important. We're glad she can do both."
As if her "real job" and her political life weren't enough, Holladay also serves on Virginia College's United Way committee (team) for 2010.
Maybe she should teach a course on time management. She'd find the time somehow.