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Former CyberSouth Networks owner joins BPC as VP for College Advancement

By Kelley M. Arnold

Director of News and Public Information

Doug Baird

The college’s newest administrator is no stranger to the Toombs-Montgomery area.

Doug Baird, a native of Houston, Texas, now a resident of Vidalia, was the owner of local internet service provider, CyberSouth Networks, before he sold it, and his other company, Swifttel Communications, to Reignmaker Communications in March 2007. Baird started Swifttel Communications, a facilities-based competitive local exchange carrier based in Vidalia, in 2004. He also worked as a staff member and high school algebra and chemistry teacher at the Paul Anderson Youth Home of Vidalia for several years in the mid-nineties.

Though a bit unfamiliar with the internal workings of Brewton-Parker, as having never been employed at the collegiate level, Baird is looking forward to using his networking abilities throughout the southeast and his enthusiasm for God’s glory together for one purpose at BPC. His first day as vice president for college advancement of BPC was Oct. 1.

“It’s very humbling to take such an important position,” said Baird. “I don’t think in and of myself that I have the ability to do something like this but with God’s help I’ll be able to rise to the challenge and find good avenues for fundraising for the college and develop programs for alumni to keep them involved and informed as to the direction of the college.”

Dr. David R. Smith, president of BPC, is proud to have Baird join the college.

“A few years ago, when Brewton-Parker College first began to develop our internal computer network and to provide internet service to our employees and students, I sought Doug Baird’s counsel,” said Dr. Smith. “Since that time, I’ve watched him grow a truly impressive business enterprise with representation throughout Georgia, and I have seen his devotion to his community, family and church. Doug has the ability and the fervor to bring impressive fund-raising production to the college. Combined with those characteristics, Doug Baird brings integrity and discipline to this important task.”

He and his wife, the former Maranda Thompson of Ailey, and their four children, ages 13 to 5, attend First Baptist Church of Vidalia. He holds a bachelor of business administration with a concentration in accounting from Georgia Southern University. He also served several years in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga., in the early nineties.

-BPC-