“I was born and raised in Dalton by parents who are thankfully still here, and my father spent many years in civil service–12 as Mayor of Dalton. After graduating from DHS in 1987, I left and didn’t return until 2002 when I came home to raise my own children here. My daughter was entering 1st grade, and my son was 2. This community helped raise and shape them into who they are today, and I am forever grateful.
As I was preparing to become an “empty nester”, I experienced a renewed excitement and passion about who we are today as a thriving, diverse community. I was inspired by the leadership of younger generations, and I felt a strong sense of responsibility and calling that it was time for my generation to step up and do our part to keep moving us forward.
In early 2018, I became Project Manager for Believe Greater Dalton, our community’s five-year strategic plan. This role has taken me back to one I knew in 1987 as “captain of the Dalton cheerleaders”. Today I get to cheerlead for the community by executing and moving this plan forward every day. I believe that working together our best and brightest days are ahead of us, and I believe in Greater Dalton!”
Allyson Middleton Coker, Project Manager for Believe Greater Dalton