The Georgia Tech School of Aerospace Engineering is happy to announce that Ms. Vickie Brian has joined the administrative leadership team in the position of assistant director for operations. Her first day was April 27.

Brian comes to Georgia Tech with a wealth of experience in policy development, project management, personnel management, and budgeting.

Her previous positions span the spectrum of public and private enterprises, from serving as the executive director of a retirement community to managing a medical practice and serving as the bursar for the College of Coastal Georgia.

If there's a theme there, Brian says it's that she looks for opportunities to serve.
"I see any job as being an opportunity for service," she said.

"I am there to serve the customer, which, in this case is both the students we educate and the employees who make the educational experience a good one."
Brian replaces Susan Jackson, who retired from GT-AE this spring after serving for many years.

In her first week on the job, Brian has been meeting with the many administrative assistants and other employees with whom she will be working most closely. Her conversations with new colleagues have focused on familiarizing herself with the many procedures, policies, and practices that make GT-AE run. She is listening closely to the perspective each person brings.

"The front-line people have the most insight on how to solve challenges," she said.

Brian said her professional philosophy is based on a combination of analytical thinking, thoughtful organizational practices, and a commitment to team-building. She believes in establishing transparent processes so that all employees can understand and follow. This, she said, will help them succeed.

"For me to succeed, I need to make sure the team succeeds," she said. "So I'm always going to look for ways to strengthen and develop the employees who are part of the team."