Category: Past Speakers

Don Comeaux – Executive Director, Exploreum Science Center

Don Comeaux is the Executive Director of the Exploreum Science Center in Mobile, Alabama, where he has served in leadership roles since 2011. A native of New Orleans, Don brings more than three decades of experience in science education, leadership, and innovation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Nicholls State University, where he conducted research in botany, marine science, and genetics, and earned his teaching certification from the University of New Orleans.

Before joining the Exploreum, Don spent nearly 20 years teaching high school and middle school science, where he developed specialized courses in forensics, environmental science, and career-pathway programs. His pioneering work in forensic science education earned him the Coroners of Louisiana Educator Award and the American Stars of Teaching Award.

A former SSGT in the Louisiana Air National Guard, Don led a fuel system repair crew for F-15 and F-4 fighter jets. His career has been defined by a passion for hands-on science learning, career readiness, and community impact. He is a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy and served on Alabama’s Governor’s Advisory Council on Excellence in STEM.

Don’s leadership philosophy is rooted in creating meaningful, inspiring moments while staying grounded in lifelong learning. His personal motto—“Fill the PITS, avoid the POTHOLES, and create PEAK moments!”—reflects his dynamic approach to education and leadership.

 

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi

Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi, a native of New Orleans, graduated from De La Salle High School in 1967 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University in 1971. He returned to New Orleans where he earned a law degree from Tulane University Law School in 1974, and then entered  Notre   Dame Seminary in New Orleans, where he received a master of divinity degree in 1978.

Archbishop Rodi was ordained to the priesthood on May 20, 1978, and served as associate pastor at St. Ann and St. Christopher the Martyr Parishes in Metairie, pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Jefferson, and pastor of St. Rita Parish in New Orleans.

In 1983 he was appointed judge for the Archdiocese of New Orleans Metropolitan Tribunal. He earned a licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1986, and served as professor of canon law at Notre Dame Seminary from 1986 to 1995.

Archbishop Rodi served in New Orleans as director of the Office of Religious Education from 1988 to 1989, and as executive director of the Department of Pastoral Services from 1989 to 1996.

In addition to his other duties, Archbishop Rodi was Chancellor for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1992, and in 1996, he was named Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.

In 1992, he was named a prelate of honor (a monsignor) by Pope John Paul II.

He was ordained a bishop and installed as Bishop of Biloxi on July 2, 2001.

He was appointed Archbishop of Mobile on April, 2008 and installed on June 6, 2008.

 

 

Jon Carfagno joined the team at Mobile Museum of Art as Executive Director in February 2023. Since then, he has collaborated with the Board, volunteers, and staff to plan exhibitions, programs, and events that have enhanced community engagement and activated visitor participation. Prior to his work at MMofA, Jon served for six years as the Executive Director of Hickory Museum of Art (Hickory, North Carolina). There, he steered the museum’s growth and evolution, through implementation of the institution’s strategic plans which helped HMA in exceeding its financial and programming goals.

A frequent speaker on the topics of human-centered design, methods of innovation, and organizational theory, Carfagno is most actively concerned about the role museums can play in fostering creativity, empathy, and innovation in communities. His recent book chapters titled, “Adopting Empathy: Why Empathy Should be a Core Value for All Museums” and “Discovering the Power of Art in Forging Empathic Connections,” have contributed to international movements focused on the social efficacy of museums.

Carfagno recently served as the vice president of the Board for the Museum Education Roundtable a national board that publishes the Journal of Museum Education. He holds a master’s degree in art history from the University of Massachusetts and completed Kendall College of Art and Design’s MBA certificate program in design and innovation management.

When he is not at Mobile Museum of Art, Jon is an avid Ice Hockey player and New York Rangers fan. In the absence of a local rink, he plays roller hockey in a standing Sunday afternoon men’s game, where he is joined by his favorite teammates, his sons Thomas (age 12), Kevin (age 9). They are cheered on each week by their biggest fan, his wife, Megan.

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Jon Sexton serves as the Director of the History Museum of Mobile. Prior to the History Museum, Jon was Director of Operations for the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw, Georgia. His other previous positions include Assistant Manager of Historical Resources for Sarasota County, Florida, and Director of the Records Center for Jasper County, Missouri. Jon has a Master’s degree in public history from Royal Holloway, University of London and a Bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Arkansas.

When he is not working, he is training for powerlifting competition and is a massive NBA fan, in particular (unfortunately) the New Orleans Pelicans.

Corey Harvard is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Prism United, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth and families in Southwest Alabama. He graduated with honors from the University of South Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy.

An accomplished writer, Corey is a published poet and two-time Pushcart Prize nominee. In 2022, he received the Mobile Community Health Leadership Award in recognition of his efforts to improve mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth in the region. The following year, he and his mother recorded an interview for NPR’s StoryCorps, which was later broadcast nationally and featured on the front page of the StoryCorps website.

Known for his collaborative leadership style, Corey is deeply committed to fostering meaningful dialogue and empowering young people to recognize and cultivate their potential.

Bud McCrory Bio

Bud McCrory is the Director of the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS), which provides water and wastewater services to more than 350,000 residents in Mobile and Baldwin Counties.

Before becoming Director in 2021, McCrory began his career with MAWSS 33 years ago as a summer worker before returning as a full-time employee in 1994. He has held several positions within MAWSS, starting in an entry-level role before eventually working his way up to Director. From 2005 through 2015 he served as the Director for Satsuma Water and Sewer, before returning to MAWSS in 2015.

McCrory is recognized as a state leader in the water and wastewater industry. In 2020 he was awarded the “Outstanding Public Official Award” for promoting sound water policy and making a substantial contribution to the water environment.

He is Chair of Alabama’s Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network, state representative for the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and an active member of the Water Environment Federation, Alabama Water and Wastewater Institute, American Water Works Association, and Alabama’s Water Environment Association.

A native of Mobile, McCrory holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from

Faulkner University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of South

Alabama. He and his wife, Danielle have been married for 25 years and share three children.

Mike Sledge got started in the hardware and industrial supply business when as a teenager he started as a stock boy for a small mom and pop hardware store in the late 80’s.  He went on to work for a Fortune 500 industrial distribution company managing locations across the Southeastern US until at the age of 39 he decided to strike out in his own with his wife Suzy and open Coastal Industrial Supply in 2010.  His company supplies materials to companies and jobsites all over the United States.  He has been a Baldwin County resident since 2003 and has three children Jake, Maggie (who both help run their company) and Marley who is a senior in high school.  He and Suzy also have a big dopey golden retriever named Woody.

Mike joined Rotary in 2017 and has been an active member serving as club president and currently serving as Assistant Governor and is the incoming district Polio Plus and District RYLA chair for the 2025/2026 Rotary year. His other passions include finding and restoring old cars-especially old Volkswagens as well as traveling in search of adventure.

Little known fun fact about Mike-he has two cocktails named after him.  So if you are at C’est Le Vin in Foley (order a “Sledgehammer”) or at The Gemstone in Amory Mississippi (order a “Mike Sledge”).  They are two distinctly different cocktails that you are sure to enjoy!

Rob Holbert is co-publisher and managing editor of Lagniappe, Mobile’s weekly newspaper. Rob helped found the newspaper after a career that started as a police reporter and columnist at the Mississippi Press in Pascagoula. He followed that with a stint as a deputy press secretary for then-U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott in Washington, D.C.

After leaving Capitol Hill, Rob worked ghost-writing opinion articles for publication in some of the nation’s largest newspapers. From 1999 – Aug. 2010 he was the faculty adviser for the University of South Alabama student newspaper, The Vanguard, and in 2002 started Lagniappe with his business partner Ashley Trice. The paper now prints 25,000 copies every week, is distributed throughout Mobile and the Eastern Shore and is one of Alabama’s largest weekly newspapers. Lagniappe also produces news stories daily online at lagniappemobile.com.

According to Scarborough Research, Lagniappe has nearly 80,000 print readers each week and an additional 40,000 readers a month online and in newsletters, and more than 48,000 followers on Facebook.

Rob has won numerous statewide and regional awards for column writing and was a finalist in both 2022 and 2023 for the Association of Alternative Newsmedia’s David Carr Award for investigative reporting.

 

Angela Montgomery is the Executive Director for the Mobile Arts Council and has been with the organization since 2017. Angela is a native of Jackson, MS and holds a BS in Biology from Sweet Briar College in Virginia. She has over twenty years’ experience of non-profit work under her belt, serving as Programs Director and Executive Director for the Alabama Coastal Foundation and the Director of Development and Communications for the Lone Star Film Society and the Lone Star International Film Festival.

As Executive Director of the Mobile Arts Council, Angela oversees the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the non-profit organization that is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the Mobile community through support, coordination, and promotion of the arts. With her leadership, MAC continues its mission of providing resources and opportunities for artists, fostering creativity, and enhancing the arts scene in Mobile.

Angela lives in Fairhope, AL, with her husband of 21 years, Joey, and their two dogs, Smurf and Brody.

 

Harmon bio

Heath Harmon became the sixth executive director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association in July 2024.

Harmon graduated from Munford High School in Talladega County, and he holds a B.S. in Secondary Education, English and history from Jacksonville State University, and a M.A. in Secondary Education, English and Educational Leadership from the University of Alabama, as well as an Educational Specialist degree from the University of Alabama. He is also a graduate of the 2023 Alabama Superintendents Leadership Academy.

He arrived at the AHSAA after a successful stint as principal at Oxford High School, and his career also included stints as a high school English and History teacher, assistant principal and coach of multiple sports. During a 12-year stretch, he served as the head football coach at Cordova, Munford, Andalusia and White Plains high schools.

Harmon and his wife have two children, daughter Halaya, and son Hudson. Both graduated from Oxford High School. Their daughter graduated from Auburn University in 2023, and their son is currently a student at AU.

 

Dr. Kevin Lane

Kevin Lane completed his PhD in archaeology at the University of Cambridge (2006). He was subsequently a Leverhulme Research Fellow at the University of Manchester (2007-2009), a Sainsbury Visiting Research Fellow at the University of East Anglia (2010), and a Research Fellow at the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Free University, Berlin, 2011-2012), before co-directing a Leverhulme mega-research project (University of Cambridge, 2012-2015). He recently led a project on pre-Hispanic Andean mobility funded by the Gerda Henkel Foundation (2018-2021). He is currently the director of the Gerda Henkel-funded High Mountain Andean Dam Rehabilitation (HAARD) project, dedicated to restoring pre-Hispanic dams for modern use. His research focuses on the Northwest and Central Andes. Dr. Lane was Director of Heritage for the Government of Gibraltar (2014-2016), prior to his current position as a Research Fellow at CONICET – UBA, Argentina. He specializes in historical archaeology and heritage management, with interests in landscape archaeology, political ecology, ancient hydraulic technology, communities, identity, and borders, particularly the impact of contact and colonization.