Connie, a first generation college student, was the recipient of the UNG Alumni Association’s Distinguished Young Alumni Award in 2011. She graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from North Georgia College in 1992. She is the retired cofounder, Chief Commercial Officer, and Executive Vice President of Alaven Pharmaceutical, LLC. Currently, she serves as an advisor to Avego Healthcare Capital, a company delivering operation partnerships with management teams. She is the founder and President of the Joseph Daniel Howard Foundation, a private operating foundation that supports special needs children in North Georgia.

Connie’s husband, Jim, also graduated from NGC in '92. Jim was an English major and a Distinguished Military Student. Jim and Connie met as INTRO Leaders at North Georgia. They have two sons; one is a senior at Sewanee, the University of the South, and one is a rising freshman at the UNG. Connie enjoys gardening, hiking, and yoga.