FALL VOLUME / ISSUE . 19 A LEADERSHIP ALABAMA PUBLICATION

LEADING OFF

With the exciting announcement that Kate Cotton has been selected to be the next Executive Director of our great organization, I hope you will join me in extending a heartfelt thank you to Jim Hughey and the members of the Transition Committee for a job well done. As you know from previous communications, Kate has been associated with Protective Inc, mostly recently as Executive Director of the Protective Foundation. She is a member of Leadership Alabama Class XVI and has served on the Birmingham Regional Council, the Alabama Leadership Initiative Selection Committee and has been a member of our Board of Directors for three years. You will have an opportunity to meet Kate early in the new year at Regional Receptions across the state.

We are also excited about the Alabama Leadership Initiative which kicks off in November with a session in Montgomery. The forty-three outstanding emerging leaders who will participate in the three-session program are listed in this newsletter. Remember that the third session, June 22-24, 2018 is a Renaissance Weekend with a number of great speakers, and will be open to members of Leadership Alabama as well.

Looking back on a busy fall, I want to thank all members of the Regional Councils who welcomed members of Class XXVIII at regional events in September and October. These wonderful receptions and luncheons not only gave us a chance to meet our newest class members, but also re-engaged and reenergized members from previous classes. We have included the names of hosts and planners of these events along with pictures of several events.

You will be receiving a call for Nominations for Class XXIX. Click the link in this newsletter for important information about qualifications and policies which are considered in the selection process.

OCTOBER 2017

LEADERSHIP ALABAMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTS NEW MEMBERS

At the direction of Chair Tyrone Fenderson (Class XXII), the board elected eight new members to a three year term. We are thrilled to welcome Chip Bivins (Class XX), Chief Audit Officer, UA System, Trey Clegg (Class XXVII), Regional President, Brasfield and Gorrie, Melissa Craig (Class XXI), Senior Vice President, Bank Independent, Helene Hassell (Class XXIV), Executive Director, Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation, Grits Morris (Class V), Sales Executive, Walker360, Sheron Rose (Class XXVII), Vice President, Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, Kennon Walthall (Class XXV), Senior Vice President, Government Revenue Solutions, and Danny Windham (Class XXIII), Chief Executive Officer, Digium.

Chip Bivins Trey Clegg Melissa Craig Helene Hassell

Grits Morris Sheron Rose Kennon Walthall Danny Windham

Find us on Facebook! Keep up with all membership activities on our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadershipal/

Be sure to update your contact information in the MEMBERS portal at www.leadershipal.org.

Bryan Billy Program Services Director Teach for America Alabama Birmingham

Lucas Blankenship Director of Planning and Economic Development Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments Moulton

JaTaune Bosby Director of Development American Civil Liberties Union Montgomery

Hallie Bradley Community Initiatives Manager Alabama Power Company Birmingham

Kyrel Buchanan Founder/Principal Sanoa Consulting Muscle Shoals

Christopher Busby Community Development Chambers County Development Authority Lanett

Pooja Chawla Attorney at Law Law Offices of Pooja Chawla Bessemer

Jennifer DeLawrence Accounting Manager Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Birmingham

Harrison Diamond Business Relations Director City of Huntsville Huntsville

Precious Freeman Managing Partner BFC Management Dothan

Miller Girvin President & CEO Alabama Capital Network Birmingham

Blair Goodgame Artist and Event Specialist Alexandra Blair Celebration Pell City

Linn Groft Executive Director Breakthrough Birmingham Birmingham

Ben Haynes Partner Haynes Farms, LLC Cullman

Brian Hamilton CEO Trillion Communications Bessemer

Will Heaps First VP Commercial and Agriculture Banking ServisFirst Bank Huntsville

Jonathan Hegeman Owner/President/Farmer Greenway Plants Inc. Anniston

Anitra Belle Henderson Director of Civic Engagement City of Mobile Mobile

Caitlin Holland Executive Director Shoals Chamber of Commerce Florence

Cooper Holmes Director Alabama Black Belt Foundation Marion

Anna Johnson Refinery HR Manager Hunt Refining Tuscaloosa

Amy Jones Professor of Digital Communication University of West Alabama Livingston

Alex Jones President UB Community Development LLC Atmore

Natalie Kelly Corporate Responsibility Manager Brasfield & Gorrie Birmingham

Eva Kendrick Alabama State Director Human Rights Campaign Birmingham

Felicia Long Shareholder Hill Hill Carter Franco Cole & Black Montgomery

Michel Marcoux Shareholder Maynard Cooper & Gale Birmingham

Clint Maze Attorney at Law Burke, Beuoy & Maze Arab

Melissa McInnis Worship Director Saint James United Methodist Church Montgomery

Lowery McNeal Focus First National Director Impact America Birmingham

Rich McRoberts Analyst Timberline Management Birmingham

Bakari Miller Onsite Banking Coordinator Regions Financial Corporation Birmingham

Andrea Oliver Director The Foundation for Marshall Medical Centers Guntersville

Tramaine Perry Vice President BBVA Compass Mobile

Blake Phelps Marketing and Economic Development Director City of Gulf Shores Gulf Shores

Ryan Richards Director of Workforce Development Southeast Alabama Works Dothan

Mary Elizabeth Roberson Director of Public Affairs Peritus PR Birmingham

Alison Rudd Operations Director Student Clinic University of South Alabama Mobile

Amanda Storey Director Jones Valley Urban Farm Birmingham Mashonda Taylor Chief Community Relations Officer Woodlawn Foundation Birmingham

Lora Terry VP Philanthropic Services Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham Birmingham

Josh Vasa VP Operations McWane Science Center Birmingham

Tom Walker Chief Operating Officer Sloss Real Estate Birmingham

ANNOUNCING ALABAMA LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE CLASS I

FALL 2017- VANTAGE POINT

Class members had the opportunity to hear from Leadership Alabama members Ed Bridges (Class VIII), Governor Kay Ivey (Class XI), Milton Davis (Class XVIII) and Stephen Black (Class XXI) during the weekend retreat. Kristina Scott (Class XXI), Executive Director of Alabama Possible led the group through the Poverty Simulation, an exercise that continues to have a strong impact on the participants.

CLASS XXVIII off to a great start in Montgomery!

Gov. Ivey welcomes Class XVIII at our opening session.

Tony Fargason, Eric Jack, Danny Markstein and Andy Betterton enjoy the orientation reception

Milton Davis delivers a powerful message.

Class XXVIII takes a vote in the Alabama House Chamber

Stephen Black inspires class members on Saturday morning.

Peter Selman keeping customers Chris Bell, Jody Singer and Danny Markstein in line at the Bank.

Phyllis Hall ran a tight ship at school!

Randy Jones, Art Tipton and Tom Methvin dropping their babies off at child care.

FALL 2017- VANTAGE POINT

Poverty Simulation

Walter Bell and Barbara Larson

Brian Willman, Rebecca Byrne, Henry O’Connor, Liz Freeman and Lance Covan

Preston Bolt, Ashley Whatley and Robbie Baker

Jay Watkins and Melissa & Clifton Morrissette Melissa Morrissette, Barbara Larson and Vaughan Morrissette

EB Peebles, Holle Briskman, Karlos Finley and David Clark

Bonnie Tully and Alvin Hope

Ann Bedsole, Barret McCall and Maxey Roberts

Gulf Coast Regional Reception held at the lovely home of Vaughan Morrissette in Mobile

Wiregrass Regional Luncheon hosted by

Council Chair Charles Buntin

at the Dothan Country Club

FALL 2017- VANTAGE POINT

Bill Ventress, Mark Pugh, Linda O’Connell, Harrison Morris, Belinda Mitchell, Beau Benton, Mike Schmitz, Velma Tribue, Charles Buntin, Mark Saliba, David Money, Hope Johnson and Valerie Barnes.

Decatur Shoals Regional Dinner hosted by

Kim and Macke Mauldin at their beautiful home on the

Tennessee River

FALL 2017- VANTAGE POINT

Heath Grimes and Jerry Groce Bill Hopkins, Melinda Dunn and Bret Gist Ryan Hankins and Humphrey Lee

Sandra & Andy Betterton, Andy Mann, Ken & Dena Kitts, and Harold Lewis

Together We Can!

The Shoals Regional Council, led by Deborah Bell Paseur and Andy Mann, invited Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama Executive Director, Ryan Hankins, to share his recent research on the positive effects of regional partnerships, collaborations and economic growth. The topic was especially interesting for the 100+ community leaders from the quad cities region who attended the breakfast and meeting held at George’s 217. Macke Mauldin, President of Bank Independent, sponsored the morning meeting. Deborah Bell Paseur passes the reign over to

Andy Mann as Regional Council Chair.

Macke Mauldin, Barbara Larson, David Muhlendorf, Deborah Bell Paseur & Andy Mann

Birmingham Area Regional Reception held at the gorgeous home of

Sandy and Wayne Killion

FALL 2017- VANTAGE POINT

Tony Fargason and Ann Florie Trey Clegg, Robert Simon and Chris Hastings Carol Butler and Kate Cotton

Mike Goodrich and Bob Battle Gillian Goodrich, Chris & Allison Nanni, Guin Robinson and Braxton Goodrich

Russell Vandevelde and Sandy Killion

Ryan Hankins and Scott Ford Mike and Jenny Brown Short, Robbin Reed Allen and Paul Kennedy Ann McMillian and Hollie Cost

Penny Southward, Tony Fargason, and Ave & Eric Jack Art Tipton, Jill & Alan Deer, Sheila Benson and Don Williams

FALL 2017- VANTAGE POINT

Cullman Regional Luncheon at the TP Country Club

Pictured left to right:

Barbara Larson, Rusty Turner, Peggy Smith, Brian Dove, Jenny Folsom, Ashley Whatley,

Marsha Folsom and Melody Jones

Northeast Alabama Regional Reception hosted by

Andy Kattos and ServisFirst Bank

Leslie Ecklund, Mary Ellen Juddah, Phil Dotts and Rose Allen Dave Hargrove, Marc Jacobson, Chad Emerson and Rick Myers

Andy Kattos, Grant DeMuth and Scott McLain Julian Butler, Mary Jane Caylor and Allison Dillon-Jauken Phil Dotts and Lynne Berry Vallely

Greg Brown and Chris & Jody Singer Michael Kirkpatrick, Cynthia & Rey Almodovar, and Wally Kirkpatrick

West Alabama Regional Luncheon

held at the Harrison Galleries in

Tuscaloosa

Montgomery River Region Area Regional Reception

hosted by Carl Barker and ServisFirst Bank

FALL 2017- VANTAGE POINT

Jimmy Hill and Vickie Williams

Bubba Armstrong, Todd Strange, Peter Selman, Spud Seale, Bill Coleman and David Reed

Kevin Ketzler and Tom Methvin

Alan & Cissy Worrell, Barbara Larson, Mark Snead and Richard Stabler

Melanie & Carl Barker

Cheryl Carter and Mike Jenkins

Stacia Robinson, Jeff Langham and Caroline Novak

Todd Strange and Barbara Larson

Jim Page, Shelley Jones, Brenda Ryan and Jackie Wuska

Sonny Ryan, Jim Harrison, Stuart Bell and Tammy Montgomery

Jimmy Warren and Ron Abernathy

Melody Jones, Cynthia Almond and Jackie Wuska

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS The Class XXIX Nomination Form will be emailed the first of the year. You can also find more information and the form online by visiting the Nominations page at http://leadershipal.org/la-nomination-guidelines/

All nominees must have a completed form. Forms are due February 9, 2018

FALL 2017- VANTAGE POINT

• November 9, 2017 — Birmingham Making Sense of the Alt Right Click link for more details!

• January 11-13, 2018 – Mobile Class XXVIII Retreat Join us to hear speaker Ruby Payne Thursday, January 11th. Invitation and details to follow soon

*still seeking Dinearound hosts

• March 8-10, 2018—Huntsville

Class XXVIII Retreat *still seeking Dinearound hosts

• May 17-19, 2018—Birmingham Class XXVIII Retreat • June 22-24, 2018—Huntsville Renaissance Weekend with ALI Mark your calendar now to save the date!

LEADERSHIP ALABAMA CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Governor Kay Ivey has selected two Leadership Alabama members to serve in her administration. Lynn Beshear (Class III) has been appointed the Commissioner of Mental Health. Kenneth Boswell (Class 27) has been named Director of Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

Five members of Leadership Alabama have been recognized by AL.COM as Women Who Shape the State: Carol Madry Bell (Class XII), Linda Flaherty-Goldsmith (Class IV), Liz Huntley (Class XXIII), Kim Lewis (Class XXVI) and Linda Sewell (Class XXV) .

Recently, Stephen Black (Class XXI) was named National Communicator of the Year by the National Speech and Debate Association.

Randall Woodfin (Class XXVII) was elected Mayor of Birmingham earlier this month. Randall replaces William Bell (Class 21) who served as Mayor since 2010. In the same election, Mary Boehm (Class 22) was elected to the Birmingham School Board.

In a Leadership Alabama shuffle in Dothan, Mayor Mike Schmitz (Class 15) was elected Chair of the Dothan School Board and Mark Saliba (Class XXV) was elected Mayor of Dothan in Mike’s place. What a dynamic duo for the Dothan area!

Governor Kay Ivey, Class XI) and Cathy Sloss Jones (Class VIII) were recently inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor. The Academy bestows honor and recognition upon Alabamians for accomplishments and service benefitting or reflecting great credit on the state. Mike Warren (Class III) is Chairman of the Academy, and Vaughan Morrissette (Class III), Cathy Randall (Class III), Mason Davis (Class I), Tom Carruthers (Class III), Mike Jenkins (Class I), Ed Bridges (Class 8), and Barbara Larson serve with Mike on the Executive Committee. Wayne Flynt (Class I) spoke for Academy at the Induction Ceremony referencing his newest book, Mockingbird Songs. The book consists of letters which reflect the relationship that Wayne and his wife Dartie had with Harper Lee.