About Us
About Our Company
Professional Development Services, LLC
- Established in 1989 as a service providing company that values client satisfaction as our top priority
- State of Alabama Certified Woman/Minority Owned Business
- Over 40 years of experience in developing business best practice solutions, education leadership, program assessment and evaluation, and personnel recruitment and evaluation
- Banks our success on providing critical analyses to develop sound strategic solutions to accomplish desired outcomes
Our Philosophy
Our company is results oriented. We believe first in listening to our clients, then, together as a team, develop a plan of approach that will enable us to develop the best business strategies and solutions. We believe that success is a combination of sound leadership and management practices coupled with sound business processes. We therefore endeavor to develop strategies that offer the best opportunity for achieving desired outcomes.
Mission Statement
We employ a wide range of decision-making tools and expertise to develop competitive, cost effective solutions to satisfy long term goals. We strategically analyze alternative solutions to determine the best fit to ensure maximum efficiency of resources. Our commitment is to seek long-term solutions to maximize organizational self-sufficiency and sustainability.
Vision Statement
We aim to empower clients through creating innovative organizational changes to maximize outcomes and to create a culture of positive behaviors resulting in outcome efficiency and effectiveness.
Catherine Wright
Mrs. Wright is a Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) and holds an MBA degree. She also has post-graduate work at the doctoral level in Educational Leadership. Her expertise is in fiscal management and budgeting, strategic planning, cash flow management, leadership and management, program analysis and improvement, and organizational structure. She received her undergraduate degree in Accounting and Economics from Alabama State University and her MBA from Auburn University Montgomery. She has post graduate work towards a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Auburn University.
As a career civil servant with the United States Air Force, she earned the distinction as a Superior Executive Leader and Manager in the Financial and Management career field. Her experiences span across the business and educational sectors to state and local government entities. Additionally, Mrs. Wright has served as a member of the Board of Trustees and as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Alabama State University, a major, flagship university; she has served as Comptroller and Dean of Finance at the Community College level; Executive Director for a chemical and substance abuse center. She has led in many other roles throughout her community creating pathways for success. Her goal is to embrace and empower. She believes that commitment and integrity are the cornerstones for success. Mrs. Wright is participating partner in the consulting company that she and her husband started in 1989.Â
James Wright, Ed. D
Dr. Wright is a veteran educator with expertise in educational leadership, personnel evaluation, program analysis and assessments, external program reviewer, organizational structure, staffing, and strategic analysis and planning. He received his undergraduate degree from Stillman College; a Master of Education at Alabama State University; Psychometrics Certification from Auburn University Montgomery and his doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Special Education from The University of Alabama. As a career educator, Dr. Wright’s leadership and vision of education reform and improvement has reshaped the future for education advancement.
Dr. Wright served for over ten years at the Alabama State Department of Education as a senior executive serving the needs of school leaders; at the collegiate level he served as Associate Dean of Education; Head of the Division of Education; and Coordinator of the Department of Education Leadership and Management. He served as Principal Investigator for the U. S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. for the Southeast Regional Resource Center. He holds the distinction as one of the principal developers of the Alabama statewide personnel evaluation system which spanned for more than 20 years as the primary tool for the evaluation of classified personnel, teachers, school leaders and superintendents. Additionally, he is highly skilled in conducting climate and culture assessments; investigative reporting of organizational conflict and resolutions; and liaison for unitary status resolutions. He is a highly sought-after expert, and his signature efforts can be witnessed both nationally and across the state. He also proudly serves his community in many leadership capacities. Dr. Wright is participating partner in the consulting company that he and his wife started in 1989.