Sept. 25, 2025–John Ruzic / Porchlight Communities & Mike Rogers / Rogers & Willard, Inc
John joined Porchlight officially in 2022, bringing with him more than a decade of experience in real estate. His unique career path spans real estate brokerage, property acquisition, property management, historic preservation and redevelopment, economic development, and affordable/workforce housing development.
John’s career began in Mobile, AL, in residential sales and brokerage with Sam Winter and Company, where he played a pivotal role on the initial Porchlight acquisition team. After moving to Birmingham in 2019, he served as Portfolio Director with Retail Strategies, working with communities across the Southeast on retail recruitment and community development strategies. In 2022, he took on the role as Real Estate Director and Qualifying Broker for Porchlight.
A true advocate for neighborhood revitalization and housing affordability, John is passionate about forging partnerships between public and private entities to achieve mutually beneficial goals. His recent experience includes the development of affordable, workforce, and market-rate housing in the Bessemer, AL, and Mobile, AL, communities. John has leveraged tax credits, grant funding, and public incentive structures to help subsidize the cost of single-family, for-sale housing. He is currently involved in catalytic redevelopment projects and public-private partnerships focused on neighborhood revitalization and the activation of unused or underused spaces.
A Louisville, Kentucky native, John graduated in 2010 from Sewanee: The University of the South with a B.A. in Political Science. In May 2023, he earned his Master of Real Estate Development from Auburn University. He received his Alabama Real Estate Salesperson’s license in 2016 and his Alabama Broker’s license in 2021.
John serves on the Workforce Housing Committee of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and on the Vestry at Christ Church Cathedral. He returned to Mobile in 2022, where he lives with his wife, Francie (O’Hea) Ruzic, an Obstetrician and Gynecologist with Mobile Bay OB-GYN / Infirmary Health System, their 3½-year-old son, Watts, and a daughter due in October 2025.
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Mike Rogers
President
Rogers & Willard, Inc.
Mike Rogers has lived most of his life in Mobile and has dedicated his career to both construction and community revitalization. After earning a degree in Building Science from Auburn University, he began his career in Nashville with Hardaway Construction. In 1989, he returned to Mobile and founded what is now Rogers & Willard, Inc. Under his leadership, the company has become one of the region’s leading contractors, licensed in twelve states, consistently ranked among Business Alabama’s Top Contractors, and recognized four times as a Harbert College of Business “Top Tiger” company.
Mike’s work reflects his belief that building is about more than structures—it’s about strengthening communities. He has led numerous preservation and revitalization efforts in Mobile, including the award-winning restoration of the historic Buick Building. In 2017, he co-founded Porchlight Communities, a development company focused on restoring underserved neighborhoods. His leadership has been recognized with the Alabama Historical Commission’s Roy Swayze Preservation Award and the Outstanding Individual Award from the Mobile Downtown Alliance and Main Street Mobile.
Deeply committed to conservation and the arts, Mike has served as Chairman of the Alabama Contemporary Art Center, overseeing both the restoration of the Saenger Theatre and the conversion of the historic Press Register building. He has served on the boards of the Alabama Coastal Foundation and The Nature Conservancy of Alabama, where he was project champion for the Gulf Islands area, earning the EPA’s Gulf Guardian Individual Award in 2009. He has also served as president of Associated Builders and Contractors, where he helped establish the South Alabama Education Trust to advance training and workforce development.
Mike maintains strong ties to Auburn University, where he is a Sustaining Life Member of the Alumni Association and has served in leadership roles with the College of Architecture, Design and Construction, the Alumni Association, and the Harbert School of Business. He and his wife, Cay, established both the first-ever endowed scholarship in Industrial Design and an Ever Auburn Endowed Scholarship in the CADC. He was also instrumental in creating Auburn’s Industrial Design Studio in Mobile, where students collaborate with local organizations including Airbus, Austal, the Mobile Airport Authority, and the City of Mobile.
Outside of his professional and civic commitments, Mike enjoys fishing, nature photography, and time with his wife Cay and their three daughters, Catie, Jackie, and Leigh.
Sept. 18, 2025–Andy Wilson, Executive Director, Mobile Airport Authority
With four decades of distinguished experience in the aviation industry, G. Anderson “Andy” Wilson serves as Executive Director of the Mobile Airport Authority. Wilson’s career is marked by his innovative leadership and strategic problem solving in airline support, airport administration and professional consulting services with proven success in the planning, design, construction, and delivery of complex airport programs.
Wilson played an essential role in developing the Mobile Airport Authority’s Federal Aviation Administration-approved Master Plan as an external consultant, and he will now lead the Authority through its next phase of growth. Wilson most recently served as Director of Aviation at Hill International and was instrumental in the organization’s aviation delivery services. Prior to his tenure at Hill International, Wilson served as the Chief Development Officer for Aerostar Airport Holdings where he oversaw the transition of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), the first privatized U.S. airport, and led the implementation of cutting-edge solutions like video analytics for enhanced passenger management.
Wilson has an extensive history in interacting with federal, state, and municipal agencies, driving financial development strategy, and executing operational business plans for both domestic and international projects. Throughout his career, he has partnered with nationally recognized architectural, engineering, and consulting organizations, successfully managing multi-client project teams through terminal development, baggage handling systems, Federal Inspection Services, and airside and landside design. His proficiency extends to facility planning and programming, airline representation, air cargo development, forecasting and capacity analysis, program definition and development, and construction management. Wilson has supported teams across all aspects of the aviation industry, including within the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration and United States Department of Transportation, and maintains significant relationships with commercial carriers, airport leadership, and a vast network of state and federal personnel.
A graduate of The Ohio State University, Wilson holds a B.S.B.A degree with a focus in Aviation Logistics and Economics. He honorably served our country in the United States Army as Flight Engineer for the Aviation Attack Helicopters in South Korea, Flight Engineer and Flight Medic in the 237th Medical Detachment MAST Unit in California, and in the 137thAviation Regiment Ohio Air Guard during his time at Ohio State.
Sept. 11, 2025–Stuart Holmes, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Outokumpu Stainless USA, LLC
Stuart Holmes is the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Outokumpu’s
business area Americas, which is headquartered in Calvert, Alabama. He has been
working with the company since 2008.
Prior to this position, Stuart worked as a financial analyst with Kimberly-Clark and held
multiple finance roles with ThyssenKrupp. He currently serves on the Mobile Area
Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors.
A native of Pensacola, Florida, Stuart served in the United States Marine Corps. before
receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Auburn University as well as
a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of West Florida. He also has
a Master of Business Administration from Auburn University.
In his spare time, Stuart enjoys traveling, being outdoors and spending time with his
family. He also has a passion for photography.
Stuart is married to Ashley Holmes and they have two children, Chloe and Silas.
Sept. 4, 2025–Commander Justin L. Guernsey / US Navy, Prospective Commanding Officer, PCU Pierre (LCS 38)
Commander Guernsey is a Philadelphia native who graduated from the University of Southern California in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and received his commission through the NROTC Los Angeles Consortium. He later earned a master’s degree in System Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.
At sea, Guernsey served as electrical officer and communications officer aboard USS Donald Cook (DDG 75); weapons officer aboard USS Independence (LCS 2); combat systems officer and operations officer aboard USS Montgomery (LCS 8); and executive office aboard USS Cincinnati (LCS 20).
Ashore Guernsey served as assistant operations officer and LCS training liaison officer at Afloat Training Group San Diego; on staff as N3 operations officer at Surface Division Eleven; and as Director of Fleet Training – Pacific at Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center.
He assumed command of LCS Crew 235 in August 2024.
Personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal, as well as other personal and unit awards.
Aug. 28, 2025–Doug Ankersen / Isle Dauphine Oyster Co.
Founded Double D Oyster Nursery in 2013 after completion of the Off Bottom Oyster training class at Auburn University Shellfish Lab at Dauphin Island, Alabama. In June 2024 built and operated Double D Oyster Hatchery and successfully spawned triploid and diploid oysters. Designed and built high flow upweller systems to raises triploid and diploid seed from 600 micron to 25 mm size. Delivered millions of seeds to off bottom oyster farmers in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Texas and Louisiana. Designed and constructed one of the first commercial Oyster Hatchery facility for Triploid and Diploid in Florida. Established the OysterGro System dealership in 2014 to service Alabama, Florida GOM, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. Provide installation and technical support for setting up the oyster farms along the Gulf Coast.
Experienced senior executive manager, project management, engineering design, procurement and construction in onshore petrochemical, specialty chemical and subsea field development projects. Responsible for overall management from concept selection, evaluations, engineering design through construction and commissioning. Developed construction management plan, and subcontracting strategy for domestic and international projects. All my major achievements in business have been team efforts. Strong people and leadership focus throughout the organization. Proven track record in building successful project teams for technology driven projects and products.
Aug. 21, 2025–Jamie Tapia / President, Port City Industrial
As President of Port City Industrial, I lead a team committed to helping
businesses run smarter, safer, and more efficiently by delivering end-toend warehouse equipment solutions. From material handling and
storage systems to dock and door equipment, we support our
customers with sales, installation, and service designed to keep
operations moving.
With a background that combines business acumen and a dedication to
customer service, I oversee the day-to-day operations of PCI, ensuring
the company delivers customized solutions that optimize warehouse
space and improve operational efficiency. I’m passionate about building
lasting partnerships, growing our regional impact, and helping our
clients succeed in an evolving industrial landscape.
Beyond the business, I’m a mother of four and deeply invested in my
local community in Mobile, Alabama. I believe leadership means
showing up, listening well, and doing the work-with integrity,
accountability, and heart.
Aug. 14, 2025–Garrett Rice / President, Master Boat Builders
A native of Mobile, Alabama, Garrett grew up in the family business that was founded by his father, Michael. He began working with his father as a child and came into the business full-time in 2011 as a project manager and accountant. Within a few years, he began to handle business development and took on the role of Chief Financial Officer. In 2020, he became President of Master Boat Builders and now oversees the day-to-day operations of the business.
Garrett revels in the challenges presented by the shipbuilding industry from engineering to planning and accounting to human resources. More importantly, he values the legacy his father left him by growing a small mom-and-pop shop into a world-renowned work boat shipyard. As President, Garrett serves on the Boards of Directors for the Offshore Marine Service Association and as the Vice-Chairman the Shipbuilders Council of America.
Prior to joining the family business full time, Garrett worked in sales at a valve automation shop in Birmingham, Alabama where he gained experience in fluid systems and engineering. He also worked in the athletics department at Samford University as the Director of the Athletics Department’s annual giving program.
Garrett received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Samford University.
Aug. 7, 2025– Tom McGehee / Museum Director, Bellingrath Gardens & Home “Life Before Air Conditioning – How Did They Stand It?” & Robert Cochran / District Governor Official Visit
Speaker Today
Tom McGehee has been Museum Director for Bellingrath Gardens and Home since 1994, and has researched the history of Mobile for more than 40 years. He is a past president of this club and was named Rotarian of the Year in 2012.
He is married to the former Ceil Smith of Monroeville and has a daughter, Megan, living in Athens, Greece.
Today’s Program: Life Before Air-Conditioning
The first air conditioning did not come to Mobile until the completion of the Saenger Theatre in 1927 and it would be another 25 years before affordable residential units arrived. How did our ancestors survive life before air-conditioning?
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Bob Cochran was born at Naval Station Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada. His family tradition is that it was an awfully cold winter that year or he wouldn’t be here today! He grew up in Montgomery, Alabama where he graduated from Lanier High School. He then attended Auburn University where he graduated in 1974 and was commissioned into the U.S. Navy from the Auburn University Naval ROTC program. He attended Navy flight school and received his Naval Aviator wings of gold in 1975. He served in several Navy aviation squadrons, aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy, graduated from the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama; served as the Commanding Officer of U.S. Naval Facility Brawdy, Wales, and finished his Navy career as a member of the faculty of the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a Commander in 1994.
After the Navy he attended the Cumberland School of Law of Samford University and started his own law practice in Auburn, Alabama. In 2005 he received a call from Auburn University to teach their Business Law course in the Harbert College of Business, which allowed him to become a full-time faculty member teaching Business Law and Aviation Law to over 20,000 students during his 20+ years of university teaching.
In 1998 he bumped into an old Navy buddy living in Auburn who invited him to lunch, which turned out to be an Auburn Rotary Club meeting. He was in that club until 2011 when a meeting day change forced him to transfer his membership to the Lee County Sunrise Rotary Club. He has served as Treasurer and President of the Lee County Sunrise club and as an Assistant Governor before his selection as District Governor.
Bob and his wife Karen live here in Auburn and are empty nesters. They have three children, Christy, Kelly and Clint, son-in-law Steve, and their first grandchild, Ellie.