Blackburn Institute

People

Advisory Board

The Advisory Board provides guidance for curriculum and speakers, and participates actively in lectures, symposiums, and discourses. Board members serve as mentors for student fellows. They are selected for their commitment to ethical leadership in areas related to a dynamic future for our state.

Neal Andrews

Entrepreneur and founder of Pasquale Food Company; Serves as Chairman of the Legal Environmental Assistance Fund and the Neal Andrews Foundation and is a member of the Board of Alabama Ballet, Museum of Art and Birmingham Music Club.

Dr. J. Norman Baldwin

J. Norman Baldwin is a faculty member in the Department of Political Science at The University of Alabama, where he also serves as the Director of the Master of Public Administration Program.  Teaching courses in organization theory, personnel management, and general public administration, his classes are designed to instruct students on how to lead public employees and organize government.  Dr. Baldwin’s research and publications address a wide body of topics including differences between public and private organizations, diversifying male-dominant and race-dominant organizations, whistle-blowing, and the impact of education on state economic development.  He is a former President of UAs Faculty Senate, the inaugural recipient of the Other Club Person of the Year Award, a recipient of the Morris Mayer Award for outstanding leadership and service, a recipient of the Buford Peace Award for leadership in facilitating peace and justice.

Dr. Karen Baldwin

Dr. Karen Meshad Baldwin is the Associate Vice President for Advancement at The University of Alabama, where she is responsible for creating a better understanding of the University’s missions, goals, values, and accomplishments, and securing the financial and volunteer support needed to sustain and develop The University of Alabama. She oversees UA’s capital campaign, major gifts, corporate and foundation fundraising, annual fund, gift records, alumni database management, stewardship program, and fundraising marketing communications.
Prior to her appointment as associate vice president, Dr. Baldwin served as the director of external affairs and development for the UA College of Engineering for over 10 years.
Before joining UA, Dr. Baldwin spent 13 years with BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp., where she was twice selected to the President’s Club – the top 3 percent of the corporation’s 3,000 employees. Her positions with BellSouth included manager, advertising and publishing group strategic planning; manager, process innovation, and several marketing positions. She began her career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she served as director of marketing for Continuing Studies.
Dr. Baldwin earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in American studies at UA, and in 2008, she completed her doctorate in education administration, also at UA.

Adriene Balton

Adriene is a native of Birmingham, Alabama. As current Vice President and General Manager of J&B Medical Supply, a division of J&B Management and Electric Supply she enjoyed working under the guidance of her father, Kirkwood R. Balton until his death in 2009. She completed undergraduate studies at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, graduate studies at Samford University and she attends Miles Law School. Her civic involvement includes serving on The Alys Stephens Advisory Board and formerly serving on the BCIA, the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club Board, the Alabama Zoological Society Board and the John Carroll High School Board where she is an alumna. She is active with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., The Chums, Inc, The Jewish Community Federation Committee and she is past president of the Magic City Chapter of The Links Inc. Adriene was awarded the Stephen M. Chazen award as a distinguished alumna of the UAB School of Business and also recognized as “Top 40 under 40” by the Birmingham Business Journal. Adriene is married to W. Frank Topping and is a devoted daughter to Dr. Juanita J. Balton.

William Baxley

Senior partner, Baxley, Dillard, Dauphin & McKnight; Former State Attorney General and Lt. Governor; As Attorney General, he was a pioneer in his recruiting of women and African Americans into Alabama’s legal system; Also known for his prosecution of individuals involved in hate crimes and public corruption.

Jenna M. Bedsole

(96-97 fellow) Graduated from the University of Alabama in 1993 with Bachelors of Arts in English and a minor in History. In 1997, Jenna graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law. She is a partner with Lloyd, Gray & Whitehead, P.C. and practices in the areas of education and employment law. In 2005, she served as the President of the Young Lawyer’s Section of the Birmingham Bar. She was selected as a member of the inaugural class of the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum. Jenna also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Birmingham Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the Birmingham Bar Association.

Kyle Buchanan

(03-04 Fellow) Assistant Vice-President of Business Development and Regional Services at UAB Health System; 2004 graduate of the health care management program at Culverhouse College of C&BA; Masters degree in Health Services Administration (MHSA) in the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Michigan in April of 2006; Interests include the business of health and associated policies, health disparities, and healthcare administration in the southeastern U.S.

Joshua Burcham

(00-01 Fellow) Joshua Burcham earned a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Alabama in 2003. He owns Burcham Creative which provides web design and consulting services to businesses and non-profits. As a student at UA Joshua was instrumental in initiating, framing, and securing approval from students, alumni, faculty for The University of Alabama Capstone Creed. Joshua lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Dr. Cheree Causey

Cheree Causey is the Director of the UA Early College and teaches in the College of Human Environmental Sciences at The University of Alabama.

John Cochran

ABC News Senior Correspondent, former Capitol Hill Correspondent, and former White House Correspondent; He has been covering the activities of the federal government since 1987.

Ray Cole

Vice President at Van Scoyoc Associates, Inc. (VSA); Currently serves on the UA President’s Cabinet; served as the State Director for U.S. Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama from 1993 until 1999, and played a major role in the Senator’s party switch and transition to the Republican Party; served as an advisor to the U.S. Department of Commerce on the Bush-Cheney Transition Team in 2001; Cole was named one of the top lobbyists in Washington by the Hill newspaper in 2004 and 2005; Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Cole is a graduate of The University of Alabama and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration. He and his wife, Johanna, currently reside in McLean, Virginia with their two children - daughter Reynolds and son Russell.

Jon David Conolley

Jon David Conolley (‘04-‘05 Fellow) serves as the lead Direct Channel Marketing Specialist for Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation (NASDAQ: IPCC), a Birmingham-based insurance company. He has more than four years of experience within the banking and insurance sector. Jon David attended the University of Alabama School of Business where he graduated with honors while double majoring in International Finance and Spanish. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, Jon David studied International Relations at the Masters level while fulfilling his academic and community-based responsibilities as a Rotary Scholar at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Conolley has continued his commitment to community service and currently serves on several boards, including Rotary District 6860, Shelby County GOP Executive Committee, UAB School of Business Department of Accounting and Finance, Birmingham International Center, and American Committees on Foreign Relations.

John Covington

President/CEO of Chesapeake Consulting in Severna Park, Maryland. Graduated from the University in 1972 with a BS in Chemical Engineering and has worked in manufacturing related industries since that time. John serves on advisory boards for both the college of engineering as well as the chemical and biological engineering department; he is also a distinguished fellow of the department and college. His interests include biking, hiking and dog training.

Cathy Crenshaw

Catherine Crenshaw serves as president and CEO of Sloss Real Estate, a multi-disciplined commercial real estate firm in Birmingham, Alabama. Under her leadership, the company focuses on urban development and revitalization of the city center and on renewal and appropriate growth of her community. Cathy and her company have made a commitment to redevelop historic buildings, construct new buildings that honor their surroundings, and provide planning services to others throughout the region. She is responsible for creating and managing the Pepper Place Farmer’s Market, a nationally-recognized public market, and participated on the Farmer’s Market Advisory Board for the Ford Foundation. She was named Birmingham Business Journal’s Woman of the Year in 2002. Cathy recently attended Harvard University for two years, first as a Loeb Fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and then in 2008 as a visiting scholar.

Bradley Davidson

Bradley is a 2002 Blackburn Fellow and member of the Advisory Board and was named Executive Director of the Alabama Democratic Party on January 31, 2011.  A native of Selma, he is very interested in issues that affect the Black Belt, especially education, workforce development, and tax policy. Since 2005, Bradley has spent his time studying grassroots organizing models around the United States, in order to bring the best of what’s out there to Alabama.  Bradley is a graduate of C&BA (finance) and received his masters degree in economics from Vanderbilt University.

David Eagles

David is currently Vice President of Strategy and Program Management
for Oakleaf Global Holdings, the largest provider of sustainable waste
logistics and recycling solutions for companies throughout North
America.

David served previously as a Director for the newly created Office of
Financial Stability, Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) during the
Obama Administration with the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He led
efforts to provide strategic direction and to improve transparency and
accountability as the response to the financial crisis expanded.

Prior to that he was appointed in the George W. Bush Administration
and was one of the youngest members of the Senior Executive Service as
the Advisor to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He
designed and led the initiatives for organizational reform during a
critical time for the Agency during the unfolding housing crisis.

He also was the Director of Performance for the U.S. Small Business
Administration leading coordination of major reforms for the Agency
rated the “most improved” among all federal agencies during his
tenure.

Prior to his Appointment, David was a Senior Consultant at Booz Allen
Hamilton supporting corporations and governments in strategic planning
and performance management.

He has also been active for the Republican National Committee in
Washington and has managed several major political campaigns around
the country. He has also been an active advisor for political
campaigns and leadership in Mexico.

David received his Master in Public Policy degree specializing in
Business and Government Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy
School, and a B.S. in Financial Management from the University of
Alabama.

Corey A. Ealons

(97-98 Fellow) Serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director for Alabama 7th District Congressman Artur Davis; Graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.A. in Communications in 1998; Served in the U.S. Army with the 3rd United States Infantry, the Army’s Presidential Honor Guard in Washington, D.C.; Married to the former Drucilla Harris of Birmingham.

J. David Ellwanger

Retired president of the Center for American and International Law in Dallas, Texas; Former Executive Director of the Los Angeles Bar, the District of Columbia Bar and the State Bar of California; Former Director of the Public Service Activities Division of the American Bar Association; Past recipient of the Alabama State Bar’s Award of Merit for Outstanding Service to the Legal Profession; Served four years as an Assistant Attorney General of Alabama; In 1966 he ran for the Alabama State Senate from his hometown of Selma, Alabama; Currently serves as a member of the Executive Board of the Law School of the Southern Methodist University.

Cleophus “J.R.” Gaines, Jr.

A native of West Alabama, JR attended Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi on a football scholarship. While at Jackson State University, JR received a Bachelor in Business Administration degree and a Master of Accountancy degree. Thereafter, JR received his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and an LL.M. or Masters in Law Graduate degree in Taxation from the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. For approximately five years, JR worked in the Alabama Department of Revenue- Legal Division. There JR defended the state in individual and corporate tax challenges. While practicing for the Department of Revenue, JR also worked as an adjunct professor for Troy University (Montgomery Campus) in the areas of tax, accounting, and law. In 2007, JR accepted a full-time teaching position with Troy University and also established the Gaines Law Firm, LLC where he specializes in tax and estate planning as well as civil and criminal defense. JR and his wife Monet (also a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law) live in Montgomery with their two children.

Fournier “Boots” Gale

Shareholder of Maynard, Cooper & Gale and member of the firm’s litigation, environmental law and appellate practice group; President of the Alabama Bar Association July 2006- July 2007; Graduated from The University of Alabama; Law degree from The University of Alabama; Served as President of the Alabama Law School Foundations and was a member of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education for nine years; Currently serves as Chairman of his law firm.

Josh Hayes

(95-96 Fellow) A 1998 cum laude graduate of The University of Alabama’s College of Commerce and Business Administration, Josh earned a degree with honors in Accounting and a minor in Computer-Based Honors. He was named The University’s Outstanding Senior in 1998 and was the recipient of the William Bloom Award, and he also served as President of the Capstone Men & Women and a member of the SGA Senate. Josh graduated from the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law in Montgomery, where he was a member of the Law Review. He has held positions as a senior aide to former Governor Don Siegelman and as Legislative Director to current Lieutenant Governor Lucy Baxley. Josh is currently a civil litigator with Prince, Glover & Hayes in Tuscaloosa where he represents victims and their families; he is also a member of the Legislative & Executive Committees of the Alabama Association for Justice, the American Association for Justice and does pro bono work through the Alabama Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyer Program. In addition to serving as a member of the Blackburn Institute’s Advisory Board, Josh is a member of the UA Honors College Board of Visitors and helps coach The University of Alabama School of Law trial competition teams. He is married to the former Carrie Ann Bentley, a Registered Nurse at Hospice of West Alabama; he and Mrs. Hayes are members of First United Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa.

Mike House

Director of Hogan & Hartson’s legislative group. His recognized as one of the top three legislative lawyers in Washington, D.C. 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, trade associations, and coalitions.

From 1973 to 1976, Mike served as Administrative Assistant to Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Howell Heflin. He also had a dual role as Director of the Permanent Study Commission on the Alabama State Courts, which included the drafting and passage of the judicial article constitutional amendment in 1973, and the implementation legislation in 1975. Because of his work on court reform, he became the youngest person to ever receive an Award of Merit from the Alabama Bar Association.

From 1976-1979, Mike practiced law in Montgomery, Alabama. During that time, he was President of the Alabama Young Lawyers, and Chairman of the Alabama Citizens Conference on Alabama State Courts and the Alabama Citizens Conference on a New Constitution. He also was involved in numerous other professional and civic associations, including being a member of the board of directors of the American Judicature Society. In 1979, Mike was chosen as one of Alabama’s four Outstanding Young Men.

From 1979-1986, he served as Administrative Assistant, Chief of Staff to Senator Howell Heflin of Alabama, managed his campaigns in the 1978 and 1984 elections.

Currently, Mike is a Member of the Society of International Business Fellows, the Council of Excellence in Government, President’s Cabinet of the University of Alabama, Chairman of the Farrah Law Society, University of Alabama Law School, Board of Directors of Alabama Law School Foundation and Member of the Board of Trustees of The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC.

Mike and his wife, Gina, currently reside in McLean, Virginia.

Dr. Sandral Hullett

CEO & Medical Director of Jefferson Health System/Cooper Green Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama; Formerly the Executive Director of Family HealthCare of Alabama, a not-for-profit community health center serving 40 rural counties throughout Alabama; Interests include rural health care and health care planning and delivery to the underserved, underinsured, and poor; Awarded The University of Alabama School of Public Health’s first Public Health Hero Award for her work providing compassionate care to people living in Alabama’s rural, impoverished Black Belt communities; Member of the Institute of Medicine and served on several IOM committees including the Committee on the Changing Market, Managed Care, and Future Viability of Safety Net Providers; Received her M.D. from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and her M.P.H. from The University of Alabama; UA Trustee Emeriti.

Ann Karpinski Jones

Teacher, educator, community leader in Mobile and Birmingham; Former student leader and president of Associated Women Students; Co-Chairman for The University of Alabama National Campaign: Our Students. Our Future.

Doug Jones

A lawyer at Haskell, Slaughter, Young and Rediker, LLC in Birmingham, AL since 2008, Doug Jones represents individual, institutional and corporate clients in complex civil and criminal litigation, with particular concentrations in class actions, securities litigation, white-collar criminal defense, False Claims Act and whistleblower litigation, environmental litigation and employment discrimination matters. 

Prior to joining Haskell Slaughter, Mr. Jones served as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama from 1997 until 2001. As United States Attorney, Mr. Jones personally led the team of prosecutors and investigators in the re-opened case of the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham.  Mr. Jones served as lead trial attorney in the successful prosecutions of two former Ku Klux Klansmen for the murder of four young girls killed in the bombing.  He also coordinated the federal and state task force that led to the indictment of notorious fugitive Eric Robert Rudolph, who ultimately pled guilty to four terrorist bombings and is serving a life sentence.

Since returning to private practice, Mr. Jones has represented individual and corporate defendants and targets in high-profile white-collar litigation in both federal and state courts and has represented both individual plaintiffs and plaintiff classes in complex securities and annuities litigation, as well as in other complex litigation and investigation matters.  In addition, he was appointed General Special Master in Tolbert v. Monsanto and Pharmacia Corp., a massive environmental clean-up action involving PCBs in the Anniston, Alabama area.

He is an alumnus of Leadership Birmingham and was named in 2009 by the Alabama Supreme Court to the Advisory Committee on the Alabama Rules of Evidence.

Ralph Knowles

Trial attorney with Doffermyer, Shields, Carefield, Knowles & Devine in Atlanta, Georgia; served as Associate Director of the National Prison Project of the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington, D.C.; Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers; Member of the American Law Institute; Past President of the Tuscaloosa County Bar Association.; Received the highest awards of the Civil Liberties Union of Alabama and the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association; Handled numerous civil rights and political cases; Former Chair of the Alabama State Bar Association Task Force on Judicial Election, Selection and Evaluation; Currently serves on the Board of Directors of the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Dr. Brandi Lamon

Dr. Brandi Lamon is the Director of External Affairs and Development where she plans, manages and executes the fund-raising programs for the College of Engineering at The University of Alabama.  She is responsible for major gift fund-raising, overseeing annual-giving and directing all of the College’s marketing functions including publications and special events.  Prior to her work with the College of Engineering, Lamon served as UA’s Director of New Student and Parent Programs where she developed and implemented programs and services to support parents of UA students as well as provided oversight for the incorporation of the first-year student experience.  Lamon earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from The University of North Alabama, her master’s degree in Communication Studies and doctorate in Higher Education Administration, both from UA.

Toby Marcus

Raised in Alabaster, Alabama, Toby graduated from The University of Alabama in 2001 with a degree in economics. She is currently employed as the training director for DAXKO in Birmingham. Toby is an active volunteer with the YMCA of Metropolitan Birmingham and Youth Programs of West Alabama. Toby states that through her studies in Economics at the University, she was fascinated by analyzing how the desire for wealth impacts human behavior and shapes society. Through participation in an adult literacy initiative, church volunteer projects, and activities with Head Start Programs, Toby further understood the responsibility of self-sustaining individuals to assist those in society affected by societal deficiencies. Toby is described by most as a high energy, driven, innovator, with a strong desire to share her knowledge and experience to help others.

Gordon G. Martin

Gordon G. Martin is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Alabama Power Company.  A native of Birmingham, Gordon graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama, where he was elected President of the Student Government Association.  He also earned a law degree from the University of Alabama; a Masters degree from the George Washington University; and is a French test shy of a Masters degree from Georgetown University.  He has completed executive coursework at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and Oxford University in England.  In the area of economic development, Gordon serves as Chairman of the Board of the Montgomery Riverfront Development Foundation, and as immediate past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.  In the area of education, Gordon serves on the Board of Directors of the A+ Education Partnership and the McWane Science Center.  He is a member of the President’s Cabinet at The University of Alabama, and previously served on the Board of Trustees of Huntingdon College.  Gordon has also served on advisory boards at Auburn University, Auburn Montgomery, and Birmingham-Southern College.  Gordon plays a leadership role at numerous charitable and civic organizations, including board service at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The American Village in Montevallo, the United Way of Central Alabama, and the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama.  Gordon is a graduate of Leadership Alabama, Leadership Montgomery and Leadership Shelby County.  He was named Montgomery Advertiser’s Citizen of the Year in 2006.  He is married to the former Margret Harned and they have five children.

Mark Martin

Mark Martin is the founding elementary principal of Langston Hughes Academy, an open-enrollment public charter school in New Orleans, Louisiana. LHA opened in the fall of 2007 with 110 fourth and fifth grade students and has grown to include grades pre-Kdg - 8, serving over 600 students.  Mark has recently been named School Director, leading all academic and operational functions of the school.  Mark began his career in education as a first grade teacher in Atlanta Public Schools through the Teach For America program, and he has earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree focusing on Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

Dr. David Mathews

President of Kettering Foundation; Former president of The University of Alabama; Leader in encouraging minority student enrollment and involvement; National expert on Community Formation & Action; Former Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare during the Ford Administration (1975-77).

Doug McCraw

Doug McCraw is the founder of Peregrine Partners Group, a real estate development and management company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mr. McCraw is a managing partner of Tropical Storage LLC that develops high-end niche self-storage facilities in South Florida. He is the past founder and President of Data Archive Services, Inc in Ft Lauderdale, FL. A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Mr. McCraw earned his BS in marketing at The University of Alabama. His civic affiliations include: the Executive Committee of New World Angels in South Florida, the Acquisitions Committee of the Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art, the President’s Club at UA, past co-chairman of UA’s International Trade Advisory Board, past Vice Chairman of the American Red Cross of Broward County, Alabama Board of Regents for State Parks, Enterprise Development Corporation Board of South and Executive Committee, and Birmingham Museum of Art Collectors Circle.

The Rev. Stephen McWhorter

Stephen McWhorter - Episcopal priest with 43 years of service in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, California and Northern Virginia. A church planter in the last appointment in the Greater Washington D.C. area.  Active in the Hospice Movement for over 30 years.  In retirement/redeployedment leading mission teams to India, Ghana, Liberia and Honduras.  Avid WVU fan.

William O’Connor

Bill O’Connor is a public affairs consultant from Montgomery, Alabama.  In the past he has served as the Director of Public Information for the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health, Executive Director with the Alabama Press Association, Assistant to the President of The University of Alabama as Director of Legislative Relations, Associate Professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations in UA’s College of Communication, Vice Chancellor for External Affairs at The University of Alabama Systems, President and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama, and Managing Director for the Campaign for Alabama.  Currently, he is an independent business consultant associated with Franklin Resources Group.

Richard Ogle

Raised in Birmingham, Richard F. Ogle received both his bachelor’s and law degrees from The University of Alabama. After serving as law clerk to the Hon. Virgil Pittman, he was a partner in the Birmingham law firm of Ogle, Liles & Upshaw until recently transitioning to Christian & Small, LLP. In addition to previous service as the national president of his fraternity, Richard has been President of the Birmingham Bar Association and a board member of the American Judicature Society as well as the UA Law School Foundation. He has served as the director of several civic organizations, including: the Children’s Dance Foundation, Birmingham Police Athletic Teams, and Birmingham Downtown YMCA; he was also a founder and president of the Birmingham Tip-Off Club.

Ray Pate

D. Ray Pate was the CEO and developer of a national marketing firm, RePrint Corporation. Ray, his wife, Leann, and their 18 month old daughter, Elizabeth, are currently residing in the Bahamas as they await the birth of their second child. Ray’s latest venture involves the purchase and expansion of the Costa’s Famous Bar-B-Q and Steakhouse restaurant franchise as well as their merchandise; in fact, that is Elizabeth you can see on all of their signs and products. In 1998, the annual dinner honoring the Institute’s new student fellows was officially named the D. Ray Pate Dinner in recognition of Ray’s continued support.

Thomas & Carol Patterson

Tom is CEO of Yacht Record, LLC, and previously founded DAXKO, where he demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit in developing computer based systems for “member organizations.” Carol is a retired professional in the healthcare field, having spent fifteen years with CIGNA. The Pattersons are also devoted to family and church activities.

Holly Piper

Former Hotel Executive; Vanderbilt University development officer, and small business owner; Civic and community leader.

Redding Pitt

Lawyer practicing with the firm of Farris, Riley & Pitt, L.L.P., and Of Counsel for criminal defense matters to the law firm of Jaffe & Strickland, P.C., in Birmingham. United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, 1994-2001, and Chief Deputy Attorney General of Alabama and an Assistant Attorney General of Alabama. Former Chairman, State Democratic Executive Committee of Alabama and member of the Democratic National Committee.

Eric L. Pruitt

(96-97 Fellow) Eric is currently the chair of the Blackburn Institute’s Alumni Involvement Network and a leader of the groups “Future of Birmingham” project. Eric received his B.A. and J.D. from The University of Alabama, going on to earn his L.L.M. in taxation from NYU. He is currently a shareholder in the Birmingham law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell, and Berkowitz, P.C. Eric writes and speaks regularly on the issues of bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, financial services, business transactions, and taxation. He and his wife Aimee live in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Zac Riddle

Zac Riddle graduated in August 2006 with a Masters of Accountancy and in August 2005 with a B.S. in C&BA. Zac lives in Birmingham with his wife, Elizabeth, a speech-pathologist, and daughter, Camilla. He is currently a CPA employed with KPMG LLP. While at UA, his activities and honors included 2004-05 Chair of the Blackburn Institute; President of the Student Leaders Council; Recipient of the Sullivan and Bloom Awards; Computer-Based Honors Program; and President of Interfaith Council.

Mason Rogers

Mason is the Founder and President of JMR and Associates in Brentwood, Tennessee, specializing in commerical insurance; he is also an active community and civic leader. Mason is married to the former Kelli McCollum Rodgers, and they have 5 daughters.

Julia Smeds Roth

Attorney with Eyster, Key, Tubb, Roth, Middleton & Adams; Former special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee for the Alabama House of Representatives; Former Jefferson County Guardian and Conservator; Vice President, UA Law School Foundation (2010-2012). Member of American Bar Association, Alabama State Bar, ASB Client Security Fund Task Force (2008-present), ASB Family Law Section, Elder Law Section.

Melody Nix Saueressig

Regional Recruiter for The University of Alabama in the Houston, TX area; Daughter of Frank A. Nix, for whom the Frank A. Nix lecture is named; Graduated from The University of Alabama; Former Birmingham area school teacher (1993-2002); Served as Manager of Chapter Development for The University of Alabama’s National Alumni Association’s Office (2002-2004); Married UA alum, Joe Saueressig.

John Saxon

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.

Don and Bobbie Siegal

Attorney with Leitman, Siegal and Payne, P.C.; Former President of the Birmingham Touchdown Club and Student Government Association; Active member of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys. Bobbie is a retired educator and an active participant in community organizations. In 2009, Bobbie was approved by the Birmingham City Council to be a member of the Birmingham Civil Rights Board of Directors.

Judge Lynwood Smith

Lynwood Smith is a judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Prior to his nomination by President Clinton and confirmation by the Senate in 1995, Judge Smith served as a judge on the Circuit Court for the 23rd Judicial Circuit and a District Judge for Madison County, Alabama. Judge Smith resides with his wife, the former Missy Ming, in Huntsville, Alabama.

Joan R. Smith

Joan Reichwein Smith is a lead engineer for the Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) on Redstone Arsenal.  At AMRDEC, Joan manages several science and technology efforts that help advance current and future missile systems. A 2008 graduate of The University of Alabama in Materials Engineering, Joan spent much of her college career working within student government and in community service.  Her time within Blackburn both as a Student Fellow and an Alumni is what she credits as the foremost driver in her community involvement and desire to engage. A native of North Alabama,  Joan is currently involved in CONNECT - a division of Leadership Huntsville where she chairs and advises their community service project teams. Joan serves on The Huntsville Hospital Foundation Philanthropist Board and UA’s Capstone Engineering Society Board of Directors. Joan and her husband Will live in Southeast Huntsville with their two-year old daughter Kayleigh. In her spare time, Joan enjoys entertaining as well as cooking from her garden.

Cedric D. Sparks, Sr.

Cedric D. Sparks, Sr. works as the Executive Director for the Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services for the City of Birmingham. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Cedric graduated from The University of Alabama in 1998, and later graduated from Miles Law School in 2003. During this time, Cedric met Pamela J. Flakes of Salem, Alabama, and married in 1999. Pamela and Cedric have three children, Cedric D. Sparks, Jr., DeJa Camille Sparks, and Chancellor David Sparks. Mr. Sparks also serves as the Program Facilitator for Project Corporate Leadership, a leadership program designed for high-potential middle managers, sponsored by the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce. Cedric has been the recipient of many awards and acknowledgements including: (a) 2006 Birmingham Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40, (b) Membership into the 2006 Class of Leadership Birmingham, (c) Who’s Who in Black Birmingham’s “Most Influential,” (d) Ebony Magazine’s Top 30 Young Leaders of the Future, and (e) Birmingham Magazine’s 2005 “Hot List” Top 10 Birmingham’s Up and Coming. In the civic and community arena, he spends his time as a Youth Bible Study Instructor and Step Ministry Coordinator for 45th Street Baptist Church, President of the Birmingham Chapter of 100 Black Men, or serving as a Chairman on the Western Area YMCA Board of Directors. He is also involved in numerous other community and civic activities.

Donald Stewart

Attorney in Anniston; Former State Legislator and United States Senator. While Student Government Association President, Don provided leadership in the integration of The University of Alabama in 1963.

Dr. Ronald Stewart

Dr. Ronald Stewart is a gynecologist in Anniston.

Leonard Stolar

Attorney with Stolar & Stolar; Former University of Alabama student leader.

Chris Strong

(97-98 Fellow) Works for Southern Company as an Asset Manager; Received his undergraduate degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from The University of Alabama and an MBA from Alabama with a concentration in Strategy.

Dr. Louise Thibodaux

Dr. Louise Thibodaux is the Archdeacon for the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama where she is acts as a liaison to 26 deacons who serve the poor and disadvantaged in settings throughout northern and central Alabama. Prior to her ordination in 2002, she was associate professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has a doctorate in medical sociology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her dissertation described the factors that hinder or facilitate social reintegration after spinal cord injury.

Dr. Joab Thomas

Retired President of The University of Alabama, North Carolina State University and Penn State University. Former University of Alabama Biology Professor, Assistant Dean of Arts and Science, Vice-President of Student Affairs.

Victoria Starks Ward

(00-01 Fellow) After graduating from the University of Alabama, Victoria attended Thomas M. Cooley law school in Lansing, Michigan. Victoria is now a practicing attorney in Georgia, and she has her own law office, Victoria S. Ward, Esq. Attorney at Law, in Douglasville. Her main areas of practice are juvenile law, family law, civil law, criminal law, as well as wills and estates. Victoria is a member of the Junior League of Atlanta where she is an active volunteer with Out of the Box Financial Youth Literacy Program. She and her husband, Ronald, live in Atlanta, GA, where they attend Corner Stone Baptist Church.

Jim Wilson III

Chairman of the Board and CEO of Jim Wilson & Associates. He has the ongoing responsibility of coordinating and directing the strategic and financial decisions for the Wilson portfolio. This includes financial requirements for acquisitions, development, refinance, and the existing property portfolio. Following graduation from the University of Alabama in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Mr. Wilson spent three years working in the field of finance for one of the largest commercial banking institutions in New York City, New York. He is also a University of Alabama System Board of Trustee member, president of Birmingham’s Wynfrey Hotel and chairman of the board of Big 10 Tire Stores, Incorporated.