After three decades of exemplary service as a diversion investigator with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Aprile G. Whitesell retired in 2015 and started her own firm, in which she maintains critical, high-level responsibilities. As the owner and chief executive officer of AWhitesell Consulting LLC, launched in 2016 in Marietta, Georgia, she monitors individuals legally authorized to handle controlled substances. Such people include manufacturers, distributors, doctors, and others. Ms. Whitesell approves these individuals and entities for their registrations and conducts inspections, overseeing record-keeping and auditing efforts.
Ms. Whitesell files complaints if she discovers illegal activities, audits records, and interviews employees to learn about the functions of the companies she monitors. AWhitesell Consulting LLC is steadily thriving as she continually works to gain new contracts. Attributing her success to fierce dedication throughout her career overall, she is most proud of closing an illegally operating narcotic treatment program. Further, during her tenure with the DEA, Ms. Whitesell was honored with well-deserved outstanding achievement awards. In addition to, and a departure from, her consulting work, she has been the owner and operator of an apparel and sewing company since 1994. She hopes to grow this business, too, by expanding its reach, thus attracting new customers.
Ms. Whitesell prepared for her professional journeys at the University of South Carolina, graduating with a bachelor’s degree. After working as a clerk with the Internal Revenue Service, she was introduced to positions at the DEA by a recruiter. Ms. Whitesell decided to apply, ended up getting and loving the job, and still takes pride in her decades of invaluable work to this day. To stay professionally active away from her office, she served as the treasurer of the National Association of Black Narcotic Agents.
In her free time, Ms. Whitesell spends her days sewing, traveling, singing in her church choir, watching movies, and practicing embroidery. She also has loved riding motorcycles for many years, yet due to an ankle injury, she now rides a three-wheeler. In other leisure pursuits, Ms. Whitesell aspires to travel more, including enjoying cruises with her husband.