Deborah Lane Named Executive Director of Public Relations at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Deborah M. Lane has been named executive director of public relations at The University of Alabama.

A UA graduate and winner of the UA College of Communication and Information Sciences’ Outstanding Alumna in Public Relations Award, Lane has worked in the public relations field throughout the Southeast for nearly 30 years.

“We are thrilled that Debbie Lane has joined our team. Her strong background in strategic communications, and her long-time relationship with the University as a student and a graduate, make her an ideal fit for our campus,” said Thomas A. Martz, vice president for University advancement at UA.

“The University of Alabama is a very special place,” said Lane. “I’m pleased and honored to be part of the UA family as we build on our wonderful traditions in exciting new ways. It’s great to be home.”

Lane has headed Lane’s Ink, Incorporated, a public relations and communications company based in Atlanta, since 1997. The company developed and implemented strategic, tactical and crisis communications for clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to non-profit organizations.

Before founding Lane’s Ink, Lane served as a principal in Hayslett Sorrel and Lane, a communications and event management company from 1994-1997. Her previous experience includes nearly 10 years with BellSouth Corp., where she managed internal, external and crisis communications for field and headquarters locations. She began her career as director of public relations for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education in Montgomery.

Lane graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in public relations from UA in 1981. She received the College of Communication’s highest award for advertising and public relations alumni in 1996.