REL Chapter
RHO ETA LAMBDA CHAPTER
The "Millennium Chapter"
The Rho Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. organized as a charter group in 1997. The group consisted of Alpha men in the Huntsville, Madison, and Decatur areas who felt there was a need to increase the scope of the fraternity’s work in North Alabama. The brothers officially became a charter group in Madison and Decatur. It initially held its meetings at the Global Village Childcare Center in Madison, AL.
The Executive Board of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Inc. granted Rho Eta Lambda its charter on January 21, 2000, and a chartering ceremony was held on March 25, 2000, at the King’s Memorial United Methodist Church in Decatur, AL. Although seventeen gentlemen were listed as charter members, twenty-four brothers were active in the chapter at the time of its chartering ceremony.
Since its chartering, Rho Eta Lambda has participated in every district, regional, and national convention. The chapter consistently conducts Project Alpha in Madison to include “Go to High School, Go to College” and “A Voteless People is a Hopeless People” voter registration drive. The chapter also participates in Toys for Tots, various Christmas charities, the March of Dimes and Sickle-Cell Anemia Walk-a-thons, and it provides food baskets for families throughout the year in Decatur.
The Charter Members are
- Johnny Boggs
- David Belton
- Ronnie Davis
- Terrance McLin
- Gleelrica Petty
- Calvin Brown
- Phil Drake
- *John W. Humphrey
- Timothy Jackson
- *Phillip Lee
- *W. Franklin Evans
- Darrell Quarles
- Marcus Stewart
- Marice P. Webb
- Dexter Williams
- Cleopha Pair
- Theodis Acklin
President Darnell Whitney, Jr
Brother Darnell Whitney, Jr., a native of Fort Worth, Texas, earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Jarvis Christian University in Hawkins, Texas. He furthered his education at the Quality Reliability & Assurance – Army Logistics Leadership Center (ALC) in Texarkana, TX, earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Columbia College in Columbia, MO, and completed coursework in Program Management at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.
While at Jarvis, Bro. Whitney was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. through the Theta Alpha Chapter in the spring of 1998, where he served as Chapter President and Chief Dean. At the alumni level, he has served as the Corresponding Secretary for the Delta Theta Lambda Chapter in Huntsville, AL. Prior to being elected President of the Rho Eta Lambda Chapter, he served as the Director of the Rho Eta Lambda Education Foundation.
As President of Rho Eta Lambda, Bro. Whitney’s vision for the next two years focuses on “Brotherhood First”: cultivating a unified, engaged, and purpose-driven brotherhood rooted in the principles of manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind. This vision is supported by six key pillars: Intentional Brotherhood Building, Mentorship & Legacy Building, Communication & Transparency, Engagement Through Purpose, Wellness & Accountability, and Community Impact as a Bonding Tool.
Bro. Whitney has dedicated more than 20 years of decorated service to the Department of Defense, earning the Army Civilian Achievement Award in 2018. Career highlights include serving as a Product Quality Manager for the Product Management Integrated Tactical Systems (PdM ITS) under the Project Manager Night Vision/Reconnaissance Surveillance and Target Acquisition (PM NV/RSTA) Program Executive Office. In this role, he served as the on-site primary focal point at integration facilities, managing relationships, addressing quality, test, and engineering issues, and holding signature authority for over $1 billion in systems and equipment supporting Operations Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, and Iraqi Freedom.
He also served as Executive Officer to the Director of the Engineering Directorate (ED) at the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM), acting as a primary advisor on technical, programmatic, and business-related matters, while leading special projects. Currently, Bro. Whitney serves as the Senior Product Quality Manager (PQM) / Quality Assurance Specialist for the Strategic and Operational Rockets and Missiles (STORM) Project Office.
Beyond his professional achievements, Bro. Whitney remains deeply committed to service and mentorship. He is a graduate of the Leadership Huntsville/Madison County Connect Program and an active member of St. Luke Christian Church. Additionally, he is a Life Member and former President of the Jarvis Christian College National Alumni Association, during which time he served on the Jarvis Christian College Board of Trustees.
Brotherhood First
Cultivating a unified, engaged, and purpose-driven brotherhood rooted in the principles of manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind.
First
Mission
We, the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Rho Eta Lambda Chapter, will focus on providing service to communities, develop leaders, promote brotherhood and academic excellence.
Vision
Cultivate a unified, engaged, and purpose-driven brotherhood rooted in manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind.
Six Pillars of Brotherhood First
These six pillars guide the chapter’s work, strengthen our bonds, and support our continued impact throughout the community.
Intentional Brotherhood Building
Mentorship & Legacy Building
Communication & Transparency
Engagement Through Purpose
Wellness & Accountability
Community Impact as a Bonding Tool
The Strategic Plan For Rho Eta Lambda
Mission
We, the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Rho Eta Lambda Chapter, will focus on providing service to communities, develop leaders, promote brotherhood and academic excellence.
Vision
Growing Our Numbers to Expand Our Reach
Theme
Rho Eta Lambda on the Expansion of Men
Vision:
- Activate brothers to boost membership and morale
- Promote, Empower, and Uplift one another to expand our community service
- Implement our plans / Accomplish our goals while working together as brothers
Goals:
- The brothers of APA REL shall work diligently to reactivate, retain, and recruit members.
- The brothers of APA REL shall raise funds to support the Education Foundation scholarship initiatives and chapter operations.
REL Executive Board
Dr. Casey Lewis
President
Darrell Quarles
Vice President
Keynon Jones
Secretary
Herbert Willingham Jr.
Corresponding Secretary
Joshua Lewis
Associate Editor of Sphinx & Historian
Termayne Perry Jr.
Treasurer
Johnathan Holmes
Financial Secretary
Darnell Whitney Jr.
Director of Educational Activities
Phillip Latham
Dean of Membership
Brandon D. Johnson Sr.
Parliamentarian
Frank Tuck Jr.
Sergeant-At-Arms
Joseph Price
Chaplain
REL Executive Board
Meet the brothers providing leadership, service, and direction for the Rho Eta Lambda Chapter.
Darnell Whitney Jr.
President
Ross Lindsey
Vice President
Keynon Jones
Corresponding Secretary
Cameron Harris
Associate Editor of Sphinx
Termayne Perry Jr.
Historian
Demon Parker
Treasurer
Samuel Jackson
Financial Secretary
Phil Latham
Director of Educational Activities
Brandon Johnson
Dean of Membership
Leon Willis
Parliamentarian
Kevin Simmons
Sergeant at Arms
Joseph Price
ChaplainPartners
Thank you to our sponsors: We are grateful for the generous support of our sponsors, whose commitment helps make our programs and events possible. Their partnership not only strengthens our mission but also reflects their dedication to making a positive impact in our community. Please join us in recognizing and supporting the organizations that support us.
Thurgood Marshall Oratorical Luncheon:
Juneteenth Golf Scholarship Scramble:
QR Codes for Education Foundation / Chapter
Education Foundation QR CODE
