Past Speakers

Dr. Leida Javier- Ferrell, is a 27 year resident of Mobile and native from Puerto Rico. She has helped, showcased, represented and empower the Latino

Ebb Counts has been employed as Deputy Executive Director at USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park for close to 7 years. Ebb provides oversight on all

Mr. Wagner is a graduate from the State University of New York Maritime College and has held various management and executive positions in marine operations,

Colonel Jeremy Jiggs Chapman graduated and received his commission from the United States Military Academy in 1998.  He’s an avid fan of Army Football, as he

Sara has lived in Mobile, AL since 2004, following her studies in Animal Bioscience at the Pennsylvania State University. She has been an active volunteer

Shonnda Smith has been serving in dual capacity as the Deputy Executive Director of Public Works and Senior Director of Parks and Recreation for the

District 7 Gina Gregory   Councilwoman Gina Gregory was first elected to the Mobile City Council representing District 7 on the city’s northwest side in

Prior to being named the Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator for the City of Mobile, Joshua has served as a Special Agent with the United States

Chuck Greene President & Chief Executive Officer, AM/NS Calvert Chuck Greene was appointed President & Chief Executive Officer of AM/NS Calvert on September 1, 2021.

thrive. Dr. Earl Ingram, District Governor – 2023-2024 Earl Ingram has been active in Rotary International since 1982, serving as club secretary for the West

Joy Logan, Executive Director of Crittenton Youth Services   Mrs. Logan has dedicated fifty-five years to education through teaching, counseling, training youth and teachers to

President Jo Bonner Jo Bonner is the fourth president of the University of South Alabama. Previously, Bonner served as chief of staff to Alabama Governor

Arizona’s Katelyn Cai was named the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2022, during the 65th Annual National Finals. Katelyn is a graduate of BASIS

Rachel Webb is the founder and Executive Director of Fostering Together Gulf Coast. Originally a Texas native, Rachel graduated with a business degree from Texas

Mark Berte’s Biographical Information In October of 2011, Mark Berte was asked to serve as the Executive Director of the Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF). Prior

Marty Heslin, MD, MSHA is the Executive Director of the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute at the University of South Alabama. Prior to this position,

Michael E. Pierce is a 1991 graduate of Tulane University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.  While at Tulane, he

BRIEF BIO OF THOMAS “CHRIS” CURRY   Thomas “Chris” Curry serves as the President of the Mobile Airport Authority. For the past 5 years, Curry

Michon Trent Bio For 17 years, Michon Trent has contributed her time and talent to building stronger coalitions with Baldwin and Mobile Counties agencies. She

Chief of Staff James Barber served with the United States Marine Corps prior to beginning his 28-year career with the Mobile Police Department. During that

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

Dr. Lasseigne serves as Executive Director Bellingrath Gardens and Home, a position he started in September 2020.  He joins a team of board members and

Cartledge Weeden Blackwell, III   Cartledge Weeden Blackwell, III, is an architectural historian and the curator of the Mobile Carnival Museum. Blackwell is a six-generation

Helena Duncan Bio Helena Thomas Duncan was born and raised in Opelika, AL and is the youngest of five children. She received her Bachelor of

Bio:  Dr. Ankit Gulati was born in New Delhi, India, but grew up in Florence, Alabama. He attended undergraduate and graduate school at the University of

Bryan Billy is an enrolled member of the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians. He moved with his wife, Amanda, from the Central Valley of California

RICK CLARK Deputy Director & Chief Operating Officer Richard “Rick” Clark is the Alabama Port Authority’s deputy director. Joining the APA in 2019, he is