Office of the President
Dr. Lawrence M. Drake II
Interim President of Albany State University
Dr. Lawrence M. Drake II has over 40 years of leadership experience, and his most
recent work with both Bethune-Cookman and LEADing for Life demonstrates his strong
commitment to student success in higher education,” Perdue said. “We are grateful
for his commitment to build on Marion’s legacy in the interim as we undertake a national
search for Albany State’s next president.”
Known for his effective strategic leadership, Drake brings an enthusiasm for recruitment
and development to his role at Albany State. At Bethune-Cookman, he also served as
dean of the university’s College of Business & Entrepreneurship. In addition to his
work at LEADing for Life, Drake serves as the chairman and CEO of HOPE360 Inc., an
executive consulting firm. Prior to consulting, Drake worked at the Coca-Cola Company
for 21 years, where he served in several key roles and eventually became the division
president of Coca-Cola Africa. In this position, he was responsible for the company’s
operating effectiveness and financial performance throughout the western portion of
the continent.
A first-generation college graduate, Drake holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology
from Georgia State University and one in elective studies from Fisk University. He
has earned an M.B.A. from Rockhurst University, and an M.S. and a Ph.D., both in psychology,
from Fielding Graduate University.
He has served on the board of several organizations, including Trulieve and the Executive
Leadership Council. Drake has also published a book, entitled Color Him Father, about Black fatherhood and given a TEDx talk on living “A Meaningful Life.”