Amelia Mitchell
Madison
Summary
Experienced Extension leader with over 20 years of progressive responsibility within the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, including statewide and regional oversight of county operations, personnel management, and program development. Proven ability to lead large, geographically dispersed teams, strengthen organizational alignment, and build effective partnerships with community stakeholders and government entities.
Skilled in strategic planning, workforce development, and operational leadership, with a strong record of improving systems, advancing program delivery, and enhancing organizational capacity. Demonstrated success in talent development, cross-functional collaboration, and implementing data-informed approaches to meet community and organizational needs across diverse populations and regions.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Director for Field Operations
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Auburn, AL
10.2023 - Current
- Provides direct supervision and strategic oversight for 11 counties in the Northwest Region, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and community needs.
- Leads the recruitment, selection, supervision, mentoring, and performance evaluation of County Extension Directors (CEDs) while providing input and feedback on performance of Extension Agents.
- Coordinates professional development initiatives for CEDs, Agents, and Administrative Support Associates to strengthen staff skills and organizational capacity.
- Leads program planning process for Northwest Region to ensure programs are planned across the state that meet the specific needs of the counties.
- Promotes stakeholder and community engagement by partnering with County Extension Directors to build and sustain relationships with county commissions, key stakeholders, and other partner organizations.
- Serves as the Extension Disaster Education (EDEN) co-lead and point-of-contact representing ACES.
Assistant Director for County Office Operations
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Normal, AL
02.2021 - 09.2023
- Led development and implementation of community programs to enhance agricultural education and outreach.
- Coordinated training sessions for staff, improving team knowledge and service delivery effectiveness.
- Analyzed program data to identify trends and drive informed decision-making for resource allocation.
- Cultivated partnerships with local organizations to expand program reach and engagement within communities.
County Extension Coordinator
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Mobile, AL
11.2015 - 01.2021
- Coordinated educational programs to enhance community engagement and increase awareness of agricultural practices.
- Developed marketing materials for outreach initiatives, improving program visibility and participant enrollment.
- Managed logistics for workshops and events, ensuring efficient execution and participant satisfaction.
- Collaborated with local stakeholders to identify needs and tailor services for diverse community groups.
Regional Extension Agent
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Mobile, AL
06.2005 - 10.2015
- Developed and delivered food safety and quality educational programs to diverse audiences.
- Collaborated with local stakeholders to assess community needs and enhance program outreach.
- Delivered and evaluated educational programs in the areas of food Safety, food preparation, and food preservation.
- Trained foodservice professionals in the ServSafe food safety certification program using the National Restaurant Association curriculum.
- Collaborated with regional extension agents, county agents, and specialists to deliver research-based information to citizens in Alabama.
Quality Assurance Supervisor
ConAgra Foods Inc
Montgomery, AL
03.2003 - 06.2005
- Led quality assurance initiatives to enhance product safety and compliance standards.
- Developed and implemented training programs for quality assurance staff to improve inspection accuracy.
- Conducted regular audits to ensure adherence to food safety regulations and quality benchmarks.
- Collaborated with production teams to troubleshoot quality issues and implement corrective actions.
Process Plant Operator
Georgia Pacific Corporation
Pennington, AL
05.2001 - 05.2003
- Operated and monitored production equipment to ensure optimal performance and safety compliance.
- Loaded paper products from production and stored products in designated areas, making sure items were accounted for, checked for damages, and labeled properly.
- Rearranged and restacked items as necessary removing all damaged products from area.
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Dutch Quality House
Decatur, AL
08.2000 - 04.2001
- Streamlined quality control processes, reducing inspection times while maintaining compliance integrity.
- Mentored junior QA staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in quality practices.
- Analyzed data trends to identify areas for process optimization and waste reduction initiatives.
- Established key performance indicators to monitor product quality and operational efficiency across departments.
Education
Master of Science - Master of Education in Adult Education
Auburn University
Auburn, AL12-2011
Master of Science - Food Science Technology
Alabama A&M University
Normal, AL08-2000
Skills
- Statewide Extension Operations & Field Leadership
- Strategic Planning & Program Alignment
- Staff Development & Succession Planning
- Stakeholder Relations
- Organizational Change & Capacity Building
- Disaster Education & Emergency Coordination
- Community Engagement & Partnership Development
Affiliations
Leadership Mobile Class of 2018
IFT (International Food Technologists Organization)
AACAAS (Alabama Association of County Agricultural Agents and Assistants
Certification
ServSafe Food Safety Certification
Better Process Control School
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)
Seafood HACCP Trainer
Alabama Cottage Food Law Trainer
Produce Safety Alliance Train-the-Trainer
Timeline
Assistant Director for Field Operations
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
10.2023 - Current
Assistant Director for County Office Operations
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
02.2021 - 09.2023
County Extension Coordinator
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
11.2015 - 01.2021
Regional Extension Agent
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
06.2005 - 10.2015
Quality Assurance Supervisor
ConAgra Foods Inc
03.2003 - 06.2005
Process Plant Operator
Georgia Pacific Corporation
05.2001 - 05.2003
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Dutch Quality House
08.2000 - 04.2001
Master of Science - Master of Education in Adult Education
Auburn University
Master of Science - Food Science Technology
Alabama A&M University