At A Glance:

* Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York until the age of 17, when she moved to Isola, Mississippi, where her mother was a native, with a population of 600.

* Finished high school in Belzoni, Mississippi, then went on to Mississippi Delta Community College where she received her certificate in Secretarial Science.

* Married for 6 years to her best friend and sole mate.

* Loves to read and work out in the yard whenever possible.

Up Close:

After 17 years with SuperValu, a wholesale grocer with a division in Indianola, Mississippi, she decided that it was time for a career change before the lay-offs reached her department. While at SuperValu, she was lucky enough that opportunities opened and she was able to advance to different positions within the company. She went from keypunch operator, to administrative assistant for a buyer and the Food Fair coordinator, to assistant for the Military Sales Manager.

According to Alyene, "A 'friend of a friend' said James was looking for someone to coordinate the Foundation's Expos and that started her career as Expo Coordinator for Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation. She has coordinated five Expos to date.

Alyene enjoys working with the vendors and coordinating all the minor details of getting a show off and running. She has been asked "how can you call people you don't know and try to sell them a booth?" Her response is "Easily. The most that they can do is say 'No'. The fact that we are a charitable, non-profit organization helps sell booths a lot easier. Vendors realize that we are improving fish and wildlife resources and not lining our pockets," stated Alyene.

"It gives me a great pleasure working to coordinate one of the Foundation's largest fundraising projects. I feel good knowing that each Expo will put a smile on a kid's face or help Mississippians enjoy hunting, fishing or just being out-of-doors."

"It is a welcome challenge to, each time, put together an expo that is new and different from the previous one. This is more enjoyable for those attending, helps the vendors sell more products or services and raises more funds for fish and wildlife conservation throughout Mississippi," continued the Expo Coordinator.

Alyene manages both Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Expos. She handles all aspects of communications for the show; Books the convention center; Obtains sponsors in conjunction with the Executive Director; Books attractions in conjunction with the Executive Director; Schedules seminars for the shows in conjunction with the Executive Director; Designs exhibitor's packets; Sells booths; Handles security and liability; Generates and distribute press releases and coordinates an advertising campaign about the show; Coordinates ticket sales. Other duties as deemed necessary.

When she is not at work, she is out the yard whenever possible. She and her husband recently purchased a trailer on Lake Washington and that is where their weekends are spent.

E-mail: aboyles@wildlifemiss.org

More Staff >> J. Cummins / R. Ballinger / M. Owens / R. Browning