Karin Hopkins

Irving McConnell personifies success. It manifests through his aura, credentials and business status. He is among the progressive-minded entrepreneurs who are leading a potential renaissance in Tuskegee and in his case this could include a multi-million dollar investment. Yet, he never forgets his humble beginnings.  He recalls arriving at Tuskegee University in the 1970s with empty pockets and an attitude that opened doors. “I ran errands for families and cleaned houses just for a meal. The Dibble family on Bibb Street kept me busy waxing floors on my knees, which provided many life lessons.  The Tatum family on Colvert Street provided lunch to me every week.  The Felder family washed my clothes and folded them up so I could study.  Friday was my special day to go to the Larkins’ barbecue and relax.”  These experiences influenced his strong work ethic and indomitable spirit. Combine these qualities with the academic knowledge he parlayed into college degrees and you understand how he has accomplished so much. He was awarded a Bachelors degree in Animal Science and a Doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine, both earned at Tuskegee University. He has held senior management positions at major pharmaceutical companies. He served the U.S. Army in the Veterinary Corps and Special Operations Command. He is credited with saving the Baghdad Zoo during Operation Iraqi Freedom and discovering a foreign animal disease in Haiti. In 1996, he founded The McConnell Group, a company based in Maryland that specializes in biomedical, healthcare and Research and Development (R&D) programs. His love for and loyalty to Tuskegee is quite evident. He has served on the Tuskegee University board of trustees. In 2017, he purchased a home in Tuskegee, which is available to renters as an Air BnB.  Nearly 4,000 square feet, the property has five bedrooms and three bathrooms. Located in the Green Fork neighborhood, the house on Anona Street is wired for Internet service and is family-friendly in many ways. Word has quietly seeped out about the Anona House and people visiting Tuskegee for funerals, family reunions, birthday celebrations, graduations, holidays and football games, have rented it. Anyone who is interested can visit www.airbnb.com and search Tuskegee-Anona House or contact Cloud Realty Management Company in Tuskegee at 334.226.3355. Dr. McConnell is committed to revitalizing Tuskegee, which is why he is poised to develop a hotel at Exit 38 to address the shortage of local hotel rooms and also provide jobs. Tuskegee Mayor Tony Haygood says, “Trust me, there is there is a tremendous amount of interest in Tuskegee among people like Dr. Irving McConnell,  who want to see this city grow and prosper.” Dr. McConnell has a simple and powerful message to other Tuskegee University alumni. “The time is now to invest in Tuskegee.  If you are passionate about what Tuskegee has done and is doing, just get involved and you will feel so good.  Together we can continue the legacy of this great community. I am on board, are you?” To view pictures of the Anona House, visit page seven of The Tuskegee News.

Karin Hopkins is executive director of the Tuskegee Area Chamber of Commerce. Contact her at ourchamberworks@gmail.com.