The Athens Home Organizer - Stash it, Store it, Find it, Use it.

Philosophy: The Athens Home Organizer approach to solving clients' organizational challenges involves recognizing that each household is different; that it is important to keep the clients' goals, lifestyles, and budgets in mind when designing solutions, and that transferring knowledge to the client is crucial.

Owner Julia Marlowe is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and the Georgia Chapter of NAPO and is now a NAPO Golden Circle member denoting 5 years or more experience as a Professional Organizer.

Marilee Freshley is an AHO Associate Assistant. She has recently retired from 30 years of teaching elementary school. She was raised in a family of 7 with two "pack-rat" parents where she learned at an early age the value of organizing. She continues to work with her aging parents on this issue. Marilee has 4 years experience assisting Julia Marlowe and continues to work for AHO on an "as needed" basis. Marilee has proven that she has excellent relationship with AHO clients as well as great organizing skills.

Julia Marlowe's biographical information includes:

Education: Julia Marlowe received a B.S. (1971) in Home Economics Education with a focus on home management. She received her M.S. (1977) in Consumer Economics and Family Relations; her thesis research was an investigation of factors associated with getting out of debt for Consumer Credit Counseling clients. She received her Ph.D. (1979) in Consumer Economics; her dissertation was an investigation of household time use.

Experience: Julia taught home economics and family living at the high school level in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She taught courses in consumer economics, family financial management and home management at the university level at the University of Tennessee, University of Arizona, Virginia Tech and the University of Georgia. She has conducted numerous workshops and seminars on recourse management topics, many of them as part of her work with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. She has appeared on television as a consumer expert for Clark Howard and on a local program in Augusta as a family financial expert. In 2008, she testified before the U.S. Congress as a consumer expert on prepaid telephone cards.

Marlowe began Athens Home Organizer in 2006 and has worked with numerous clients on a variety of organizing projects as well as providing budget/credit consultations with several clients. She has given many organizing seminars and workshops in the Athens area to small and large groups.

Media:

Flagpole, September 14, 2011, Everyday People. "Julia Marlowe, Professional Organizer. " (Interview with Emily Patrick).

Athens Banner Herald, January 16, 2011, Homes Weekly Section. "January is 'GO' Month (Get Organized)."

Athens Banner Herald, January 16, 2011. "Marlowe to Share Expertise at IKEA," Business Whirl in On the Money Section.

CWA, Christian Women Affiliate Radio, July 10, 2010 - 1:30-2:00 PM. "Packing for Airline Travel."

Athens Banner Herald, February 18, 2009, "Help Through Organization," Community Window. p.B4.

Congressional Record, September 16, 2008. Dr. Marlowe was an expert witness at the Congressional Hearing on H. R. 3402, a bill to protect consumers against fraud from Prepaid Telephone Calling Cards.

Athens Banner Herald, August 11, 2008, "Get it Together," pp.A7-8.

Bottom Line Personal, September 15, 2008, "Prepaid Phone Card Companies Can Seize Your Minutes," Bottomline on the News, p. 5.

Athens Magazine, January/February 2008, "Cut the Clutter," pp. 26-33.
Athens Magazine, November 2007, "Ask an Expert," p. H14
Athens Banner Herald, March 4, 2007, "News Briefs," p. F2
Consumer Reports, November 2004, "Costly Credit Cards," p.7
Newsday.com. Business Edition, March 25, 2005, "Calling Cards' Secret Costs"
WSB-TV Atlanta,August 5 & 9, 2003, 6:00 News, "Saving Money on Groceries."

Personal: Julia has lived in Athens, Georgia since 1985, though the family lived and worked in Africa 1990-1991. She has five grown children and four grandchildren. Julia and her husband attend Saint Gregory the Great Episcopal Church in Athens. Her current volunteer activities include serving on the Athens Clarke County Community Tree Council, chairing a national task force for the National Association of Professional Organizers, and serving on the altar guild at church. She began devising organizing systems while in elementary school. She also began making scrapbooks that early and it is one of her hobbies today. Her other hobbies include playing tennis, reading and gardening.