Rita Fasina-Thomas Appointed to Represent District 5 on the Douglas County Board of Education
Community volunteer and entrepreneur Rita Fasina-Thomas is the newest member of the Douglas County Board of Education. Fasina-Thomas was appointed by members of the Board of Education at the regular work session and meeting on July 8, 2019. She will fill the District 5 seat that was left vacant upon the resignation of Jeff Morris on June 17, 2019.
“Helping children is my passion,” said Ms. Fasina-Thomas. “I believe in giving children every opportunity to flourish, and I look forward to working with the other Board of Education members to continue to improve the educational experience for the children in Douglas County.”
A resident of Douglas County for the past 27 years, Ms. Fasina-Thomas has two children who graduated from schools in Douglas County, the youngest from Alexander High School in 2018.
A well-known community volunteer, Ms. Fasina-Thomas serves as chairman of Keep Douglas County Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, and has served for several years as vice-chair of the governing board of the Douglas County College and Career Institute. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Women, the Women’s Speaker Association, and Shapiro International Speakers.
Ms. Fasina-Thomas is currently the founder and president of Distinctive Ops Services LLC, a business consulting company specializing in operations, training, teaching workshops, and seminars. Her prior career experience includes work with the federal government in Rome, New York, and Spain. She also worked in operations and training for Pennycook Supermarkets, Inc., and enjoyed a 25-year career with Burger King Corporation, where she was recognized for her ability to lead and train teams to achieve exceptional results.
Ms. Fasina-Thomas founded the Ademola A. Fasina-Thomas, Jr., Foundation Inc, a non-profit organization that awards $1,500 college scholarships to well deserving and economically disadvantaged youth. On February 5, 2018, the Georgia House Of Representatives honored her with Resolution 1045 for “diligence…in supporting the academic futures of students in Douglas County.”
Ms. Fasina-Thomas spent her early years in both Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, WI, and later in Chestnut Ridge, NY. She was educated at Rosary Academy and Syracuse University.
The current term for the District 5 seat will end on December 31, 2020. Ms. Fasina-Thomas plans to run for office in the November, 2020, election.