Category: Past Speakers

Scott is a native of Mobile, Alabama and graduated from Baker High School. After attending Auburn University and receiving a B.S. in Secondary Education, Scott earned a J.D. at the University of Alabama School of Law. Upon graduation from law school, Scott entered into the private practice of law having worked at both a civil defense firm as well as in-house counsel and Chief Operating Officer for an international security firm. Scott has served as a personal aide to President George W. Bush and has appeared on the ABC reality show “Shark Tank.”
Before founding Gulf Coast Ducks Scott was the Executive Director of The Grounds. During Scott’s tenure the organization was awarded Community Partner of the Year Award by the Mobile County Public School System and the Rebranding Campaign of the Year by the American Advertising Federation for its transformation of the Greater Gulf State Fair into the “cleanest most family-friendly event in America.”
Currently Scott serves as a Partner of Gulf Coast Ducks and Activation Management as they seek to continue to grow the tourism scene in Mobile. As a graduate of the Disney Institute Scott focuses on using the fundamentals and effort based techniques used by Disney Parks and Resorts in his businesses.
Scott and his wife, Beth, have three daughters Mary Scott, Julia, and Ann Gibson and are active members of Dauphin Way United Methodist Church

Jason McKenzie was recently named Executive Director of the Joe Jefferson Players. He first got involved with the group in 2001 and has since performed in over 16 shows. He also served as the Vice President of Marketing since 2012 until accepting this role as the Executive Director. Many of you know Jason from his banking days in the past and more recently, as the associate director of development for the Mitchell Cancer Institute. Jason holds a BS from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from Auburn University

Ofir Rozenberg is a 27 year old female from Israel. She recently graduated with a degree in Social Work from Tel-Hai Academic College in Northern Israel. Prior to her academic studies, she travelled to different countries in Asia, Central America and Europe. Like every Israeli woman, she served in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) for two years, where she was a squad commander of Intelligence soldiers.
Ofir worked as a counselor at an American High School right outside of Jerusalem. Her family resides in a small community in the Galilee, where she was born and raised. She arrived in Mobile on August 19th to be an emissary at the Mobile Area Jewish Federation. Her goal is to spread love and truth about Israel and show its beauty and different sides. She speaks to different groups; synagogues, schools, civic organizations and churches around the city about Israel-related topics, such as history, culture, technology etc. and shares her life story about growing up in Israel.

Born in Mobile, Alabama, and raised in Danielsville, Georgia, Rear Adm. Thomas Ishee graduated from the University of Georgia in 1987, where he majored in mathematics and computer science. He was commissioned in 1988 after attending Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He earned a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in Security Studies from the Air War College.
His early sea tours included assignments in submarines as a division officer onboard USS Narwhal and USS Sea Devil (SSN 664); engineer officer onboard USS Tunny (SSN 682); and executive officer onboard USS La Jolla (SSN 701).
Ishee commanded USS Key West (SSN 722). While in command, the ship was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, the U.S. Pacific Fleet Arleigh Burke Trophy and Battle Efficiency Award. He also commanded Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 11, where he ensured the readiness of six fast attack submarines and oversaw the operations of three torpedo retrievers, a floating drydock and the Navy’s submarine rescue systems.
Tours ashore included assistant professor of Naval Science at the University of Texas at Austin; executive officer of Moored Training Ship 626; executive assistant to the deputy commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; director of Intelligence and Special Operations for Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet; director of Operations for Commander, Submarine Group 7 and Task Force 54/74; senior advisor to the secretary of Defense for U.S. Pacific Command Plans; and executive assistant to the chief of Naval Operations.
Ishee serves as the deputy commander, JFCC-Global Strike, responsible for planning, synchronizing and assessing strategic assurance, deterrence and global strike activities for United States Strategic Command.
His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal.

For over forty years, Sandy Stimpson has dedicated his life to leading and serving others focusing his efforts on the pillars of faith, family, and education. His successful career in the private sector and his decades of experience serving on countless boards laid the foundation for him to serve as the 108th Mayor of Mobile, Alabama.
Sandy’s mission is for Mobile to become the safest, most business and family friendly city in America by 2020. His visionary goal, known as “One Mobile,” has empowered every person to have a voice. A culture of transparency, effectiveness, and efficiency is being cultivated at City Hall, allowing each stakeholder to invest in the advancement of Mobile. During his short time in office, the Mayor has worked hard to address issues of public safety, fiscal responsibility, downtown revitalization, and blight eradication.
Upon graduating from the University of Alabama in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Sandy returned to his hometown of Mobile, and began a nearly 40-year career in his family’s lumber manufacturing business. Starting at an early age, he worked his way up through virtually every position in the family business including serving as its CFO and ultimately its Executive Vice President.
Sandy’s mark on Mobile is most evident in his selfless and passionate dedication to improving education and equipping children with the life skills they need to succeed. He has been the chairman and a long serving board member of both UMS-Wright Preparatory School and Prichard Preparatory School. He is a member of the University of Alabama’s President’s Cabinet and a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of South Alabama.
Sandy’s business and civic endeavors are numerous and varied. He has served on the board of the Boy’s and Girl’s Club, Alabama Wildlife Federation, Governor’s Conservation Advisory Board, Partners for Environmental Progress, the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, where he served as Chair in 2009, the Business Council of Alabama, where he served as chair in 2010.
Sandy and his wife Jean have been married since 1975 and have four grown, married children and ten grandchildren. They are longtime, active members of Ashland Place United Methodist Church.

Charlie McNichol was born in Mobile and raised between Baldwin and Mobile counties. He is a graduate of McGill-Toolen High School and the FBI National Academy. He has one daughter, Kara, who graduated from the University of Alabama and is a registered nurse.
Charlie has been in Law Enforcement/Public Safety for over 29 years. His career began in July of 1987 with the Daphne Police Department (DPD) as a radio dispatcher. Within months he was sworn in as a police officer and attended and graduated from the Southwest Alabama Police Academy and Faulkner Community College. While at DPD Charlie served in most every section of the department and rose through the ranks to be the first Captain in the history of the department. As Captain, he served as the Assistant Chief of Police and ran the day-to-day operations of the department. While serving in this positon Charlie was asked to leave DPD and join the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama, which is based here in Mobile. There he served as the Law Enforcement Coordinator for six years.
Charlie is currently the Director of Mobile County Communications District (MCCD). He manages the Mobile 9-1-1 Center and the radio system for all public safety agencies in our county. Charlie was hired at MCCD in August of 2013 as the Deputy Director. He was appointed Acting Director in February of 2016 and ultimately appointed Director in July of last year.
Charlie is here today to give a presentation, and answer questions, on how the 9-1-1 Center and public safety communications work in Mobile County.

William F. (Bill) Alden Bio
Bill Alden came on board with DEA’s predecessor agency, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, in Cleveland as a Special Agent in 1966, freshly graduated from Indiana University. He went on to serve as DEA’s Resident Agent in Charge of the Las Vegas office and later, as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s San Diego Division.
Mr. Alden was then transferred to headquarters in 1984, where he served as the Deputy Chief of the Heroin Investigations Section, the Chief of the Office of Management Staff, and finally, as the Chief of the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs.
While head of DEA’s Public Affairs shop, Mr. Alden did more than probably anyone else ever had to publicize the mission and accomplishments of DEA. He coordinated the NBC award-winning mini-series, “Drug Wars: The Camarena Story,” and the six-hour BBC documentary called “DEA.”
Following his retirement from DEA, Mr. Alden remained very involved in the drug law enforcement cause and drug abuse prevention. He was the Deputy Director of DARE America and established the organization’s government relations office. He is the past President of the Association of Former Federal Narcotics Agents, the founding President and CEO of the DEA Educational Foundation. Mr. Alden currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of the DEA Educational Foundation.

Hue Jackson
Head Coach
Hue Jackson was named the 16th full-time head coach in Cleveland Browns history by Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam on January 13, 2016. He brings 29 years of coaching experience, including the last 15 in the NFL. He has spent nine seasons coaching in the AFC North, during which time he helped his team advance to the postseason seven times. Jackson was head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2011 and guided the team to an 8-8 record. He has also served as offensive coordinator in Washington (2003), Atlanta (2007), Oakland (2010) and Cincinnati (2014-15).
Jackson has spent the past four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. During that time, he helped the Bengals to two division titles and a trip to the postseason all four years. In 2012, he served as secondary/assistant special teams coach before coaching the running backs in 2013. Jackson spent the past two seasons (2014-15) as offensive coordinator.
With Jackson as coordinator in 2015, the Bengals offense finished third in the AFC in yards per play (5.7) and points per game (26.2). He was voted by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) as the Co-Assistant Coach of the Year as quarterback Andy Dalton set a career high and franchise record with a 106.3 rating, which led the AFC and was second in the NFL. After losing Dalton to injury in Week 14, Jackson guided quarterback A.J. McCarron to a 2-1 record in the final three games of the season as the Bengals clinched the AFC North title. The Cincinnati running game produced two 700-yard rushers in Jeremy Hill (794) and Giovani Bernard (730) for the first time since 1988. Tight end Tyler Eifert experienced a breakout season after hauling in 13 touchdown receptions, the most by a Bengals tight end in franchise history and the most by a Cincinnati player since 2001. Wide receiver A.J. Green added 10 receiving touchdowns on 86 receptions for 1,297 yards. Eifert, Green and left tackle Andrew Whitworth were selected to the Pro Bowl.
In Jackson’s first year as offensive coordinator for Cincinnati in 2014, the run game posted its highest yards per game average (134.1) since 2000. Dalton passed for 3,398 yards and Green totaled 1,041 receiving yards. Hill led all NFL rookies with 1,124 rushing yards, the second-most by a Bengals rookie in team history.
After spending the 2010 season as the Raiders offensive coordinator, Jackson was promoted to head coach in 2011. Oakland finished the year 8-8 and tied for first in the AFC West but missed the postseason via tiebreaker. The 8-8 mark was the best record by any Raiders team since 2002. The Raiders finished ninth in the NFL in total offense (379.5 yards per game) and seventh in rushing offense (131.9).
Before joining the Raiders, Jackson spent two seasons (2008-09) as quarterbacks coach for Baltimore, helping the Ravens advance to the playoffs both years. He was vital in the development of Joe Flacco, who was named NFL Rookie of the Year in 2008 and became the first rookie quarterback to win two playoff games as the Ravens advanced to the AFC Championship game.
From 2004-06, Jackson served as the Bengals wide receivers coach, helping develop one of the best wide receiver tandems in NFL history with Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. During that span, the two combined to average 173.3 catches, 2,363.3 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns per season. In 2005, Johnson led the AFC with 1,432 receiving yards. In 2006, Johnson and Houshmandzadeh became the first Bengals duo to each top 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.
Jackson gained his first fulltime NFL experience with Washington, where he served as the running backs coach from 2001-02, before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2003. Under Jackson’s tutelage, running back Stephen Davis led the NFC with 1,432 rushing yards in 2001.
Jackson spent 14 years coaching on the college level, going from a graduate assistant at Pacific all the way to offensive coordinator at Southern California. He spent four seasons (1997-2000) as USC’s offensive coordinator, where he also helped to recruit and develop players, including quarterback Carson Palmer, who went on to win the Heisman Trophy and be selected No. 1 overall in the NFL draft.
He was a minority coaching fellowship intern with the Los Angeles Rams in 1990, Arizona Cardinals in 1992 and Washington Redskins in 1995. He also served as the running backs/wide receivers/special teams coach for the London Monarchs of the World League in 1991.
Born Oct. 22, 1965, Jackson was a quarterback at Pacific from 1985-86 and threw for 2,544 yards and 19 touchdowns. The Los Angeles native also lettered in basketball and earned his degree in physical education.
Jackson and his wife, Michelle, have three daughters, Jordyn, Baylee and Haydyn.
Hue Jackson’s Coaching Background:
1987 University of Pacific, graduate assistant
1988 University of Pacific, wide receivers/special teams coach
1989 University of Pacific, running backs/special teams coach
1990-91 Cal State-Fullerton, running backs/special teams coach
1992-94 Arizona State, running backs coach
1995 Arizona State, quarterbacks coach
1996 University of California-Berkeley, offensive coordinator
1997-00 University of Southern California, offensive coordinator
2001-02 Washington Redskins, running backs coach
2003 Washington Redskins, offensive coordinator
2004-06 Cincinnati Bengals, wide receivers coach
2007 Atlanta Falcons, offensive coordinator
2008-09 Baltimore Ravens, quarterbacks coach
2010 Oakland Raiders, offensive coordinator
2011 Oakland Raiders, head coach
2012 Cincinnati Bengals, secondary/assistant special teams coach
2013 Cincinnati Bengals, running backs coach
2014-15 Cincinnati Bengals, offensive coordinator
2016- Cleveland Browns, head coach

Scott Speck joined the Mobile Symphony in 2000 as its first full-time music director and is now in his 17th season. Under his leadership, the orchestra has grown to become one of the central Gulf Coast’s most outstanding performing arts organizations.
A masterful conductor with a wide-ranging knowledge of repertoire, deep experience in programming, and a terrific sense of what will engage audiences – old and new. His gala performances with Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Midori, Evelyn Glennie and Olga Kern have been highlights of his years as music director of the MSO. This season’s exciting lineup of concerts further illustrates the depth and breadth of his knowledge and experience.
Speck also holds positions as Music Director of the Joffrey Ballet, Chicago Philharmonic and West Michigan Symphony. He previously held positions as Conductor of the San Francisco Ballet; Music Advisor and Conductor of the Honolulu Symphony; and Associate Conductor of the Los Angeles Opera. During a tour of Asia he was named Principal Guest Conductor of the China Film Philharmonic in Beijing. He was also invited to the White House as Music Director of the Washington Ballet. Speck is co-author of the world’s best-selling books on classical music for a popular audience: Classical Music for Dummies, Opera for Dummies and Ballet for Dummies. He has been a regular commentator on National Public Radio, the BBC, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Voice of Russia, broadcast throughout the world.
Born in Boston, Scott Speck graduated summa cum laude from Yale University. There he founded and directed the Berkeley Chamber Orchestra, which continues to perform to this day. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Berlin, where he founded Concerto Grosso Berlin, an orchestra dedicated to the performances of Baroque and Classical music in a historically informed style. He received his Master’s Degree with highest honors from the University of Southern California, served as a Conducting Fellow at the Aspen School of Music, and studied at the Tanglewood Music Center. He is fluent in English, German and French, has a diploma in Italian, speaks Spanish and has a reading knowledge of Russian.