Dec. 12, 2019–Finis E. "Fess" St. John, IV–Chancellor, University of Alabama System

Finis E. St. John IV is Chancellor of The University of Alabama System (www.uasystem.edu). In that capacity, he is chief executive officer of Alabama’s largest higher education enterprise, which is comprised of three doctoral research universities and the UAB Health System.
Total enrollment at The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham and The University of Alabama in Huntsville exceeds 70,000 students with more than 30,000 full- and part-time faculty and staff. The annual economic impact of the UA System surpasses $10 billion annually, and more than 1.7 million patients are served annually in the System’s hospitals and clinics.
Chancellor St. John earned his undergraduate degree at The University of Alabama, where he graduated cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa. A member of the University of Virginia School of Law Class of 1982, he chaired the Moot Court Board. Chancellor St. John clerked for the Hon. Peter T. Fay, 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, after completing law School.
During his 17-year tenure on the Board of Trustees of the UA System, Fess St. John chaired numerous standing committees and played a key role in the recruitment of senior campus leadership. He was unanimously elected to three successive terms as President pro tempore (2008-2011) of the Board and was directly involved in managing more than 450 capital projects exceeding $3 billion on the campuses. In July 2018 he was asked by the Board to serve as interim Chancellor. In April 2019 the Board elected him to the permanent Chancellor position.
Chancellor St. John has a deep understanding of the essential value of rigorous, high-demand degree programs that prepare students for success in life, and has extensive experience in helping guide health care policies. He served for more than 10 years on the UAB Health System Board of Directors.
In describing his role, the Chancellor explains: “Our job is to lead like-minded people to benefit the future of both the UA System and the State of Alabama. We don’t look at the System as isolated, but in participation with the state. All three universities are doing well and growing. Each has its own strengths.”
A lifelong resident of Cullman and a member of one of Alabama’s oldest law firms, St. John & St. John, L.L.C, which was founded in 1892, Fess St. John’s family has a long and distinguished history of service. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather served in the Alabama Legislature; his mother was the first female attorney in Cullman; and his great-great grandfather, who arrived in Alabama in 1838 and was elected to the Alabama General Assembly, was instrumental in creating our state’s first public education system.
Fess St. John’s wife, Gaynor, has been a partner at St. John & St. John for more than 25 years. His sons Finis and Jack are attorneys and he is the proud grandfather of Mary Juliet and Jack, Jr.

Dec. 5, 2019–Dr. Reginald Sykes / President – Bishop State Community College

Dr. Reggie Sykes
Dr. Reggie Sykes, president of Bishop State Community College, is a native of Meridian, Mississippi, where he graduated from Meridian High School. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Jackson State University and his doctorate in school administration from Mississippi State University.
Dr. Sykes was the principal of Southeast Lauderdale Middle School for five years and director of the East Mississippi Center for Educational Development at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus for one year. He served as dean of students at Meridian Community College for seven years, dean of student services at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College – Jefferson Davis Campus for one year, vice president of Jefferson Davis Campus for five years, worked for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, serving as assistant commissioner for community and junior college relations, and before being appointed as president of Bishop State Community College, he served as president of Alabama Southern Community College for nearly six years.
On the state level, Dr. Sykes is a past president of the Alabama Community College System Presidents’ Association and Secretary of the Alabama Community College Conference Athletic Committee. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Mobile and the Atmore Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing and playing golf. Dr. Sykes resides in Mobile, Alabama.

Nov. 21, 2019–Chresal D. Threadgill / MCPSS Superintendent

Chresal D. Threadgill is a native of Mobile, AL, and is a graduate of John L. LeFlore High School. Chresal attended Alabama State University where he received a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. He began his educational journey at Greenville Middle School in Butler County where he served as a middle school P.E. Teacher/Coach. After only two years, the administration took note of Mr. Threadgill’s excellent leadership ability and he was encouraged to become a part of the administrative team at Greenville Middle School. After only two years of teaching, Chresal became the Vice-Principal. Mr. Threadgill later relocated to Troy Alabama, where he worked as Assistant Principal of Charles Henderson Middle School and later became the Principal. After his work was completed at the building level, Mr. Threadgill then moved to the district office to serve as Assistant Superintendent. As the Assistant Superintendent of Troy City Schools, his responsibilities included being Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Director of Special Education, and Director of Federal Programs, as well as additional supervisory responsibilities. Chresal’s tenure as Assistant Superintendent prepared him for his next appointment as Superintendent of Elba City Schools. Mr. Threadgill served as the leader of Elba City Schools for five years and during his leadership, the system was able to grow to heights some viewed as impossible. Recently, Mr. Threadgill returned home as the Chief of Staff for Mobile County Public Schools where he worked in close conjunction with the Superintendent in overseeing 7,500 employees and approximately 55,000 students. Currently, Mr. Threadgill serves as the Superintendent of Mobile County Public Schools, which is the largest and oldest school system in the State of Alabama.
Throughout many of Mr. Threadgill’s leadership positions, he has received numerous accolades and recognitions for his dedication and commitment in the field of education. Mr. Threadgill was recently selected as the sole representative from the State of Alabama to participate in the Texas Superintendent’s Academy, at Lamar University. In addition, he served as the District III President in the Alabama School Superintendents Association. While serving as the District III representative Chresal was named Superintendent of the Year for District III. Chresal was also appointed as the Chairman of the Advisory Council for the College of Education at Troy University. His most recent accolade includes being featured in The School Superintendents Association (AASA) publication based on his proven record of leadership within the field of education.
Throughout his journey, Mr. Threadgill’s priority has remained with his ultimate support system; his family. Chresal is married to LaTanya Threadgill, and together they have three beautiful children, Sydni, Alex and Coleman.
Mr. Chresal D. Threadgill has a passion for doing what is best for ALL children and this philosophy is deeply engrained in the work he does each day to serve the students of Alabama.

Nov. 14, 2019–Jeff Tapley / Instrument Engineer, Hargrove Engineers + Constructors "HAT Project" (Hargrove Adaptive Toy)

Jeff Tapley is a Senior Project Manager with Hargrove Engineers + Constructors. He grew up in Mobile and graduated from John S. Shaw High school, then went on to earn bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and in Chemical Engineering from the University of South Alabama. Jeff has been with Hargrove for 15 years. Prior to joining Hargrove, he worked in the chemical manufacturing sector for 24 years on both domestic and international assignments. Jeff also served in United States Navy in the Engineering Duty community and is the President of the Board of Directors for harGIVES, Hargrove’s volunteer organization. Jeff and his wife Susie have been married for 35 years, and together they have two children, Jeremy and Mallory. Jeff is licensed as a Professional Engineer in Alabama, Louisiana and the US Virgin Islands.