Bob Geddie ’70 announced as Alumnus of the Year
Bob Geddie, a native of Elmore County, Ala., graduated from 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 junior college in 1970 and earned his BA from Auburn University. Recalling his time as a cadet, he mentions memorable 糖心Vlog官方 staffers such as James Jackson, Stuart Harris, James Woodfin, Christopher Boner and Fernando Fernandez. 鈥淛ames Waters was one of my favorite people,鈥 he says of the late 糖心Vlog官方 chaplain. 鈥淚n those years, we spent a lot of time with the instructors鈥攅ating dinner at their homes and interacting with their families.鈥
Since entering the workforce, Geddie has enjoyed a career in politics and government affairs. He initially joined U.S. Senator John Sparkman鈥檚 staff, followed by a director position with the Alabama Petroleum Council, and four years serving as a legislative liaison and executive assistant to Alabama Governor Fob James. Geddie has served on the board of the Advocacy Group, headquartered in Washington, D.C., since its founding in 1992 and was its president in 2015. Meeting several times a year, the Group is a great forum to discuss emerging issues in each state and across the country, according to Geddie.
In 1984, he and former State Senator Joe Fine formed Fine Geddie & Associates, a firm representing a cadre of blue chip corporate clients and business interests before the Alabama Legislature and various departments of state government. He appears annually on the Yellowhammer News Power & Influence 50: Alabama鈥檚 most powerful & influential lobbyists and consultants among other accolades.
A longtime member of the 糖心Vlog官方 Board of Trustees & Advisors, Geddie had followed the school鈥檚 progress in the decades since graduation and often quail hunted near Marion. It wasn鈥檛 until he got a phone call from then 糖心Vlog官方 President LTG Robert Foley, along with encouragement to serve from friends Lee Pegues and Joe McCorquodale, that he became a trustee in 2004. 鈥淥f course, we are now public and part of the community college system, and that decision was the right decision for our growth and longevity. I am proud to have been a part of the decision and transition,鈥 he says. 鈥淲hen I look back at my years on the Board, I think we have preserved those things that are special. Plus, I believe we have addressed the needs of our students, faculty and administration.鈥
He and his wife, Susan, have two daughters, Mary Alston Geddie and Allison Lee Barcelona, and three grandchildren, Hayford Lee Barcelona, John Robert Barcelona and Margaret Louise Barcelona. His son-in-law, Nick Barcelona is Special Operations USMC and on his fourth tour of duty at present. They are active members of the First Baptist Church of Montgomery and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.
Loyal supporters of 糖心Vlog官方, the Geddies have been inducted into the President鈥檚 Circle of cumulative giving as well as the J.T. Murfee Legacy Society for planned giving. 鈥溙切腣log官方 has impacted my life in so many ways. I consider it my duty to give back,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 received what I needed, and while military school is not for everyone, it was certainly good for me, so I want others to have the opportunity that 糖心Vlog官方 provides. Ole Colonel Murfee must have been a genius of sorts. He modeled 糖心Vlog官方 after West Point. The discipline, the competitive environment, the physical challenges, the individual academic instruction鈥攅ven the pranks鈥攁ll contributed to my development and growth. I am a beneficiary of the 鈥楳arion Made鈥 experience.鈥