New hires and promotions in the metro Augusta area.
Frank Kassner
Employer: Edgar’s Hospitality Group
Title: Executive Chef and Culinary Operations Director
Responsibilities: Oversee culinary operations at Edgar’s Grille, The Pinnacle Club, Edgar’s Above Broad, Snelling Conference Center, Anderson Conference Center, Edgar’s Catering & Events and contract food service division
Experience: Was previously executive chef at Montage Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, S.C.; served 17 years with The Ritz-Carlton hotel brand in Boston and at Florida properties in Naples, Amelia Island and Sarasota
Dr. Babak Baban
Employer: Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University
Title: Associate Dean for Research
Responsibilities: Advancing the dental college’s research mission
Experience: Has served as the college’s interim associate dean since 2018; joined the college as a full-time faculty member in the Department of Oral Biology in 2010; was previously an assistant research scientist in the AU Vascular Biology Center and the Immunotherapy Center with the Georgia Cancer Center; holds joint appointments in the Medical College of Georgia’s Departments of Surgery and Neurology
Dr. Alexis Pope
Employer: Augusta University
Title: Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management
Responsibilities: Sustain and improve the university’s recent admissions and enrollment trajectory; provide strategic and tactical leadership through data analysis, recruitment tactics, admissions technology, financial aid packaging polices, and transition practices
Experience: Has more than 15 years of academic administration experience; previously served as director of admissions at Appalachian State University and Tennessee Tech University; completed the College Board’s Enrollment Leadership Academy in 2013
Carl White
Employer: Aiken County Public Schools
Title: District Director of Student Services
Responsibilities: Provide enhanced leadership aimed at supporting the social-emotional needs of students
Experience: Has previously served as principal at Midland Valley High School, assistant principal at Aiken High School and principal of Schofield Middle School; also served as Aiken High School’s school counselor and special education coordinator for five years; earned master’s degree in educational leadership from Augusta State University
Dr. Beth LaClair
Employer: Aiken Technical College
Title: Foundation Director
Responsibilities: Lead efforts to build community relationships and partnerships to support the College and students
Experience: Was previously assistant director of academic admissions for communications at Augusta University, a development officer for the Alpha Xi Delta Educational Foundation and a regional recruiter in Colorado for the University of Alabama; earned doctorate degree in higher education administration from the University of Alabama
