Although born in New York City, Alvin was educated in the segregated public schools of Wilmington, NC graduating from Williston Senior High School. Alvin credits the foundational education he received at Williston for whatever success he has had in his career.
Alvin received a BA degree from North Carolina Central University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a major in Psychology and a Minor in German. He also holds a MBA from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Business and was one of the first Blacks to graduate from this program.
He has a Certificate in Theology from the Interdenominational Theological Seminary and is a Certified Lay Servant in the United Methodist Church.
Alvin’s entire career has been spent in the field of Human Resources Administration. He worked as a Director of Human Resources for Bristol Myers Squibb, headquartered in New York City, where he retired from after twenty years.
He also worked in Baltimore, MD for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maryland as a Director of Human Resources and was a Vice President of Human Resources for one of their subsidiaries, Columbia- FreeState Health System.
After retiring from the private sector, Alvin pursued a career in public education and was Director of Human Resources for Hampton (VA) City Schools and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools in Charlotte, NC.
After retiring again, Alvin had his own consulting business, Johnson and Oliver, and was the Business Manager of a semi professional football team, the Carolina Cowboys.
After relocating to Sandy Springs, GA became a Regional Director for Ray and Associates, an executive search firm, specializing in hiring school district superintendents and has been involved in hiring Superintendents for most of the major school districts in the US.
Currently, Alvin is a member of Sandy Springs’ Board of Appeals.
Alvin’s main hobby is genealogy and he has taught classes in this subject for several institutions, including the Church of Latter Day Saints.
Alvin and his wife, Vera, have four children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.