Current Advisory Board Members

Robert Harris is the Vice President, Community Lending for BancorpSouth Bank (NYSE: BXS), a Tupelo, MS based financial institution with almost $18 billion in assets and which operates nearly 290 full service branch locations as well as additional mortgage, insurance, and loan production offices in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas, including […]

Gina Rigby-House started at Aflac in the mid-1980s as a senior in high school, working part time in Aflac’s Columbus, Georgia headquarters while attending Chattahoochee Valley Community College. After moving to Virginia to study Business Administration and Political Science at Liberty University, Gina worked for Estee’ Lauder and Belk as an Account Coordinator before re-joining […]

Rashmee Sharif earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from The University of Alabama, double majoring in management and Spanish as an undergraduate and earning an MBA in 2013. As an undergraduate, she was heavily involved in numerous service and international related activities on campus. From 2006–2008 she served as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar in […]

Christian Smith is Director of Development for the UAB Department of Medicine, as part of the School of Medicine Advancement Team. In this roles she works to identify and cultivate relationships to secure major gifts for UAB to advance medical care, training and research at the institution. Prior to that Christian worked for the YWCA […]

Since his graduation with a marketing degree from The University of Alabama in 1985, Alex had remained steadfast with his support and involvement of many facets of UA. Having served as president of the Atlanta alumni chapter in 1996, as well as national president of the National Alumni Association (NAA) in 2016, his main volunteer […]

Catherine Alexander-Wright is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a concentration in Management and Community Practice. She started her career approximately 20 years ago, working […]

Akiesha Anderson is a legislative attorney that splits her time between Southern California and Montgomery, AL. Akiesha grew up in Montgomery and received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology (with a minor in Business Management) from Alabama State University, a Master’s in Public Administration from Auburn University-Montgomery, and a law degree (along with a Certificate in […]

Olivia is from Troy, Alabama and a 2014 graduate of the University of Alabama. Olivia received a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from New College, for which she focused on Ecological Economics. She also majored in Spanish and minored in Latin American Studies. While at UA, Olivia was involved in the Environmental Council, working primarily to […]

A native of Huntsville, Lynne is a graduate of Lee High School and Vanderbilt University. She is the President of Berry Millsaps Properties. Prior to that, she served as planned giving officer for the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. She was the Executive Director of the HudsonAlpha Foundation. She was the founding Executive Director of the Community […]

Danielle Blevins is from Pleasant Grove, Alabama. She grew up with strong ties to the Birmingham community. Danielle spent five (5) years working at WBRC-TV (FOX6) before attending law school at UA. Her alma maters include Ramsay High School (Birmingham), The University of Alabama (B.A. Communications), and The University of Alabama School of Law (Juris […]

Bob Boylan is the Vice President of Resource Development for the United Way of Central Alabama. In this role, he works alongside his team and community leaders to secure donations for the central Alabama community. Prior to joining UWCA’s development team in 2013, he was the County & Community Outreach Coordinator for UWCA’s volunteer arm, […]

Mark Brandon is the Thomas E. McMillan Professor of Law at the University of Alabama School of Law. He served as Dean of the School of Law from 2014 to 2023. He received his B.A. (summa in History) from the University of Montevallo, the J.D. from the University of Alabama, an M.A. (Political Science) from […]

John Brinkerhoff is an attorney with the firm Jones Day, where he specializes in complex appeals. He represents the world’s leading technology, retail, and life sciences corporations. Prior to joining Jones Day, John worked for the federal Judiciary, including serving as a law clerk to Justice Samuel A. Alito of the United States Supreme Court […]

Leigh Brinkerhoff is a Fellow from Sylacauga, Alabama. She graduated summa cum laude in 2016 from The University of Alabama with a B.S. C.B.A. in Economics and a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in the Computer-Based Honors Program. She is a past recipient of the Siegal Scholarship for the Promotion of Cultural Understanding. […]

Chris Busby is the Executive Director for the Chambers County Development Authority (CCDA). Chris has been with the CCDA since 2015 and his primary duties include project management, governmental affairs, industrial/retail development, community development, and entrepreneurship. Chris also works with the area school systems, and assists local governmental entities with public policy, downtown development, funding […]

Tom Campbell served as SGA President from 1982-83 and currently works as a trial lawyer throughout the country. He runs a ten-lawyer firm that represents property owners with claims against termite companies. After college, Campbell completed a corporate banking training program with a national bank and then worked as a Legislative Assistant to US Senator […]

Dr. Cheree Causey is retired from The University of Alabama. Dr. Causey is interested in seeing the Blackburn Institute honor the vision, legacy and example set by Dr. John L. Blackburn.

Prince currently works for the Democratic fundraising firm of Cunningham, Harris, Osborne and Associates as a finance director. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration. His activities as a student include SGA Attorney General, Vice President of the Student Leaders Council, Vice President […]

John is a 1973 chemical engineering graduate of the University of Alabama. He is the founder and CEO of Chesapeake Consulting a management consulting firm since 1988. Chesapeake has offices in Annapolis, Maryland and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. John has written six books on leadership, with his most recent being Cows Don’t Stay Milked. Prior to founding […]

Bradley is a 2002 Blackburn Fellow and Executive Director of Empower Alabama, Alabama’s leading voter registration organization. A native of Selma, he is very interested in issues that affect the Black Belt, especially education, workforce development, and tax policy. Bradley is a graduate of C&BA (finance) and received his masters degree in economics from Vanderbilt […]

Dr. LeeAnn Denham is a practicing Radiologist with Women’s Imaging Associates based in Birmingham, Alabama. Through her work there specializing in women’s imaging, she increases access for women to receive the highest level image interpretations throughout Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Born and raised in Birmingham, LeeAnn graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2006 from The University […]

Royce L. Dickerson, MBA (Blackburn Class of 2019) is a recent graduate of the Manderson Graduate School of Business. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, the National Black MBA Association,, and is also a licensed Realtor. A graduate of The University of Alabama, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in […]

Meghan Dorn is a Federal Policy Director at TechNet. In this role, Dorn helps drive the organization’s advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. Dorn leads TechNet’s automotive, broadband, unmanned vehicle systems, climate change, labor, and artificial intelligence policy advocacy. Dorn has years of experience in technology policy. She most recently worked as a public policy manager […]

On May 1, 2022 Joseph Eatmon Sr. stepped down as Head Men’s Basketball Coach of Shelton State Community College to become the College’s Dean of Community Relations. In his new role Eatmon will focus on building and maintaining relationships between the college and community. Even as Head Men’s Basketball Coach Eatmon played a major role […]

Representative Christopher J. England was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in November 2006. He received a B.A. in English and B.A. in Political Science from Howard University in 1999. He then graduated with a J.D. from the University of Alabama in 2002. Representative England is an associate city attorney for the City […]

Married since 1977 to Former Governor, Jim Folsom, Jr; the Folsoms reside in their hometown of Cullman, AL. They are the parents of two adult children, Mary Meghan Moore Folsom and James Elisha Folsom, III. Meghan is married to Garrick Ambrose and they are the parents of Walker Folsom Ambrose, the Folsom’s first and only […]

Ben Foster joined the Blackburn Institute in 2006 as a student. His previous roles with the Institute have included serving as Chair of the Fellows Involvement Network and as Community Education Leader for the student officers. Ben is a native of Coaling, AL and currently lives in the Birmingham area. A two-time graduate of UA, […]

Since 2006, when she became President of Students for Bob Riley for Governor, Britney Mitchell Garner has been a visible presence in Alabama Republican Politics. While an undergraduate at the University of Alabama she was Vice President of External Affairs for the U of A SGA, where she served as the point person between the […]

Jason Goggins is a Vice President of Federal Government Relations for Fidelity Investments, a leading provider of investment management, retirement planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, benefits outsourcing, and other financial products and services to more than 50 million individuals, institutions, and financial intermediaries. Since joining Fidelity in April of 2018, Mr. Goggins has advocated on behalf […]

Monica Graveline is Senior Vice President, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer & Chief Compliance Counsel for Southern Company. In this role Graveline leads teams responsible for enterprise risk management, public disclosure processes, fraud and insider threat detection, policy development and enforcement, data loss prevention, government contract compliance, and third-party risk management. She also provides legal counsel […]

Russ was born in Huntsville, Alabama and lived in the Washington, DC area and Connecticut, but eventually returned to the state when he attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He graduated in 1995 with majors in political science and marketing. Since 1996, Russ has specialized in helping individuals, families, and corporations with their investment […]

Ted Hosp is an attorney and the Vice President of Governmental Affairs for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Prior to joining Blue Cross in 2018, Ted was the Chair of Maynard Cooper & Gale’s Governmental & Regulatory Affairs practice and served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Alabama School of […]

Mr. House is director of Hogan & Lovells’ legislative group. He is recognized as one of the top three legislative lawyers in Washington, DC by Chamber USA. Mike concentrates on legislative and regulatory matters before the U.S. Congress, White House, and various departments and independent of the executive branch. He represents national and multinational corporations, […]

Aaron Howard serves as a Wealth Advisor at Cloud Investments, LLC, providing strategic wealth management that connects personal success with meaningful giving. He holds both the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) professional. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Alabama with a double major in Finance […]

Dr. Hussaini is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology & Oncology and a health systems researcher at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). His clinical focus is gastrointestinal cancers. His research focuses on health systems, law, and policy as it pertains to oncologic care, […]

Anthony “A.J” James, MD is an emergency medicine physician and adjunct assistant professor in Huntsville, AL. He is a member of the Blackburn Institute class of 2014. While at The University of Alabama he worked to decrease the University’s use of sweatshop labor for licensed apparel and helped lead the We Are Done movement, leading […]

James Kemp, Jr., a native of Birmingham, Alabama, graduated summa cum laude with a degree in finance in 2015. James immediately continued on to earn his MBA with a concentration in strategic management and marketing from UA’s Manderson Graduate School of Business. James’ passions have always been organizational operations, finances, leadership, and civic engagement. While […]

Adrienne is the Senior Director of Government and Public Affairs for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians located in Atmore. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is the state of Alabama’s only federally recognized Tribe. Prior to her position with the Tribe, Adrienne practiced law in Anniston. Adrienne graduated from Auburn University with a B.A. […]

Dr. Terry Lamar graduated from the University of Alabama in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in Education and membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is currently the Director of Equity and Educational Initiatives of Hoover City Schools. At the secondary education level, Dr. Lamar has experience as a physical education teacher, school counselor, […]

Dalis is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin. In addition to the Blackburn Institute, during her time at UA she was the President, Executive Vice President, and Executive Secretary of the Graduate Student Association; the President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Political Science Graduate Student Association; and a member of the […]

Frank Q. Lassiter, CFA Frank Lassiter is the Vice President, Acquisitions and Capital Markets, of Protective Life Corporation. Initially starting in Protective’s Corporate Finance group, his responsibilities have expanded in the last several years to include involvement in Protective’s M&A initiatives, focusing primarily on acquisition sourcing, deal structuring/execution and management of transaction due diligence efforts. […]

Tamara Young Lee is a higher education administrator and licensed attorney in the State of Alabama. She is the founder and owner of the Lee Elder Law Group, a boutique law firm dedicated to advising clients on elder law, probate and estate planning issues Before going into Higher Education, Mrs. Lee served as the Vice […]

Matthew Lewis is a 2006 Fellow who graduated from the University of Alabama in 2008 with a double major in Political Science and History. While at the University of Alabama he was involved in numerous campus organizations and is intensely interested in the Alabama Constitution and how it affects everyday Alabamians. He has a passion […]

Warren Matthews was born and raised in Ozark, Alabama. Warren progressed northward for undergraduate (University of Alabama), law school (Vanderbilt) and graduate law school (NYU), worked and lived in Birmingham for a number of years, and then moved his family to Greenville, Alabama, where he and his wife Elizabeth (Stabler) have raised their two children […]

William Isaac McCoy is a professional mentor, and business development executive skilled at navigating the busy intersection of nonprofits, corporations, and social impact investment. During a 20 year-long academic and professional career marked by success, William Isaac — who goes by “Isaac” — has founded or led companies and nonprofit organizations that improved civic health […]

Bennett McGehee is a Vice President at PNC Bank in Birmingham, serving as a Commercial Banking Relationship Manager for companies across North and Central Alabama. After graduating from The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business in 2020 with a B.S. in Finance and Economics, Bennett joined PNC’s Corporate Banking Development Program in Atlanta. In […]

Marion S. McIntosh is originally from Monroeville, AL, and currently works as a Process Engineer in automotive manufacturing. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Industrial Engineering, May 2003 and August 2006, respectively. While at the Capstone, Marion served as a Regional Executive Board member, and President […]

Whitney Miller-Nichols serves as Director of Governmental Relations for the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools, where she advocates on behalf of Alabama school system leaders. A native of Chelsea, AL, Whitney received her BA in Advertising in 2006 and MA in Secondary Education in 2011, both from the University of Alabama. She has wide-ranging […]

Rosalind is a former military dependent, born in Vicenza, Italy with a number of places she calls hope. She received an undergraduate degree from Jacksonville State University (Jacksonville, AL) with a double major in English & Political Science and also a master’s degree in Counselor Education with an emphasis in College Student Personnel. She has […]

David is a native of Shefield, Alabama. He received a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Alabama in 1972. A CPA, he began his professional career with PriceWaterhouse&Co and rose to the position of senior audit manager prior to joining his family business, Paper and Chemical Supply in1980. He was promoted to CEO in […]

Marjorie Kay Nix, widow of Frank A. Nix, graduated from Samford University with a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in piano performance. She is a member of the Samford Legacy League, University President’s Cabinet, and Women of the Capstone at The University of Alabama. She is a member at Brookwood Baptist Church in […]

Carol is a retired professional in the healthcare field, having spent fifteen years with CIGNA. She and her husband, Tom, were co-founders of TXEN and DAXKO. The Patterson’s are also devoted to family and church activities.

Former Hotel Executive; Vanderbilt University development officer, and small business owner; Civic and community leader. Daughter of Dr. John L. Blackburn.

Judge Charles “Chuck” Price, II is with the Birmingham Municipal Court where he presides over misdemeanor cases occurring within the City of Birmingham. Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, Judge Price is a graduate of Morehouse College and received his law degree from Creighton University School of Law. After graduating law school, Judge Price clerked for Justice […]

Melody grew up in Birmingham, graduated from Shades  Valley HS in 1988, and in 1992 graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in elementary education. She taught in Birmingham for 10 years. Two of those years were in the Jefferson County school system, and the other eight years were in the Vestavia Hills […]

Born in Nashville and raised in Dothan, Sarah currently serves one of the largest regional public hospital systems in the U.S. as President of Huntsville Hospital Foundation. An Auburn graduate, she worked for SouthTrust Bank in Birmingham and Huntsville, Crestwood Medical Center and Leadership Huntsville/Madison County, serving as its president/CEO for 19 years. After retiring […]

Attorney with John D. Saxon P.C., specializing in employment litigation; Former White House Fellow and counsel to four Committees of the U.S. Senate; Former Treasurer, Alabama Democratic Party; Chairman, Alabama Clinton for President Campaign; Chairman Alabama Wes Clark for President Campaign; Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers.

Bobbie Siegal has a passion for promoting inclusiveness, respect and mutual understanding among people from different backgrounds. Bobbie’s lifetime goal and work has been to teach and engage young people to help them appreciate their own value and dignity and to instill in them a sense of empathy and compassion for others. She has devoted […]

William F. Smith II (Bill) was born, raised and educated in Alabama and has worked as a civil trial attorney in Birmingham for more than 30 years. He has long been interested in race, gender, LGBTQ and economic justice issues. He has served as a board member for The Leading Edge Institute, a women’s leadership […]

Helen Wilson Smith has been an Associate Director in the Center for Advanced Public Safety within the UA College of Engineering since 2014. In this role she manages grant and contract funded projects with state and federal entities focused on improving public safety. After receiving her BS in Computer Science at UA she spent 30 […]

Joan Smith currently serves as the Integration Lead for the US Army’s Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), supporting the future development of US Army Aviation. She is responsible for program management of multiple efforts that will enable a higher powered, more fuel efficient engine in the next generation of Black Hawk and Apache helicopters. ITEP […]

Justin Stabler is the Operations Manager at PCI Aviation (located in Atmore, Alabama). Prior to becoming the Operations Manager in 2022, Justin worked for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Chairwoman and CEO, Stephanie A. Bryan, where he primarily focused on expanding the Tribal Government operation’s internal communications efforts. He served in this capacity for […]

Meghan serves as Vice President of Product and Commercial Policy at AHIP, where she leads policy and strategy development for Medigap, supplemental, dental, and vision insurance products. She also oversees initiatives related to prescription drug data reporting and mental health parity within the commercial insurance markets. Before coming to AHIP, Meghan worked as a legislative […]

From Tuskegee, AL, Rev. Dr. Robert Turner graduated from The University of Alabama with a B.S. in Political Science. He then graduated with honors from Turner Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center with a Masters in Divinity, followed by his Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Former Student Chair of the […]

Mark Valentine is the Global Head of National Security Strategy for Skydio where he delivers autonomous aerial capabilities to national governments around the world to support military and security operations. He was previously the President and GM of Skydio’s Global Government business. Prior to joining Skydio he was the SVP/GM for Scale AI’s Federal business […]

Joshua White is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Philosophy in Management at the University of Alabama. Before beginning his Ph.D., Joshua spent five years with Regions Financial Corporation as a member of their corporate finance team. In 2010, he founded the Audie and Kathy White Cancer Research Foundation, a community-based, volunteer organization to raise funds […]

Tammie Doleman Williams is a 1987 University of Alabama College of Engineering graduate; she also holds a Master of Business in Administration from Samford University. She has been employed by Alabama Power Company for thirty-five years and is currently a Lighting Services Engineer in Birmingham, Al. Tammie’s breadth of experience with Alabama Power includes Distribution […]

Yardena Wolf is a seasoned political strategist and operative, with experience managing high-profile governmental and statewide political operations. Most recently, she served as Campaign Manager for a leading California gubernatorial campaign, where she directed an operation with a multi-million dollar budget and hundreds of staff, consultants, and vendors across the country. In that role, she […]