PROVATO's founder
Robert Forbus has covered business planning,
banking and finance, and international trade issues for three national
publications. The award-winning former journalist and public relations
practitioner has worked in the fields of marketing and communications in
Atlanta, Georgia; Washington, D.C.; and Montgomery, Alabama. He unabashedly
admits that strategic planning and list making are his favorite pastimes.
In addition to his responsibilities at PROVATO, Forbus is
pursuing a Ph.D. in marketing communication at the University of
Connecticut.
In 1999, Forbus successfully launched a revenue-generating business and
technology center for a state university that generated more than $1.5
million in income during the first three years. He has worked on
market-research initiatives for organizations ranging from the Federal
Highway Administration to the National Institutes of Health, and from the
National Credit Union Administration to ESPN. A Web site he redesigned for
a national trade association won a “Dow Jones Best” designation in 1998.
Forbus earned a bachelor’s degree at Auburn University and a master’s degree
from the University of Montevallo. He is also a graduate of Leadership
Montgomery.
Creative Director
LaVonette Bartley has served as director of marketing for an historically
black university; founded a for-profit, special-interest magazine; and
managed federally funded community development initiatives. Along the way,
she has collected scores of state, regional, and national awards for her
efforts. A recognized expert on marketing, advertising, and public
relations issues, her passion is coaching young people to become the leaders
of tomorrow. Ms. Bartley holds a bachelor’s degree from Alabama State
University and a master’s degree from Texas Southern University.
Small Business Specialist Sonya Buckner Negley has served as a Chamber of Commerce vice
president in the Southeast and in the West, fundraising more than $5 million
during a single capital campaign. She also drove the development
of a highly successful small business incubator in a mid-size Southern
city. Furthermore, she has successfully lobbied at the local, state, and national
levels. An effective grant writer, she has secured more than $3 million
through her efforts. At the age of 21, Ms. Negley started a two-person
business in Texas that grew to employ 22 people and produce annual revenue
exceeding $10 million. She attended the University of Texas, earned a
bachelor’s degree at Auburn University-Montgomery, holds a certificate from
the Graduate Institute for Organization Management at the University of
Georgia, and is a certified NxLevel Trainer.
