Board of Trustees
The Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees plays a critical role in the education of hundreds of thousands of adults each year. Our Trustees serve as guardians for the Alabama Community College System’s missions and goals, with the Governor serving as chair of the Board by virtue of elected office. Remaining board members are appointed from eight districts, with one statewide member and an ex-officio liaison from the State Board of Education.
Meeting monthly, board member duties include:
- designating rules and regulations for the government of community and technical colleges,
- prescribing the course of study to be offered and the conditions for granting certificates, diplomas and/or degrees,
- accepting gifts, donations, property, and devices for the benefit of community and technical colleges, and
- establishing a performance-based allocation process that is equitable and compatible with the services and programs offered by each individual campus.
The Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees
Alabama State Capitol
600 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130
Phone: 334.242.7100
Fax: 334.353.0004
Growing up in the small town of Camden in Wilcox County and working on her father’s farm taught Kay Ivey to value hard work and living within one’s means. Her parents instilled values of faith, family, and community.
After graduating from Auburn University in 1967, Kay worked as a high school teacher and a bank officer. She served as Reading Clerk of the Alabama House of Representatives under Speaker Joseph C. McCorquodale and Assistant Director of the Alabama Development Office, where she worked to spur job creation and economic development across the State.
In 2002, Kay became the first Republican elected State Treasurer since Reconstruction and was re-elected in 2006. As Treasurer, Kay was committed to making the office more open, transparent, and efficient.
Kay was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2010, becoming the first Republican woman to hold the office in Alabama’s history. She again made history on November 4, 2014, by becoming the first Republican Lieutenant Governor re-elected to the office. The Lieutenant Governor’s primary Constitutional duty is to preside over legislative proceedings of the upper house as President of the Senate.
One of Kay’s first actions in office was to lead the Commission on Improving State Government. The Commission was tasked with exploring ways to reduce government spending and find efficiencies in State government. Many of the Commission’s recommendations were implemented, laying the groundwork for Alabama to successfully complete The Road to Saving $1 Billion in December 2013.
In addition, Kay has taken on several initiatives to grow jobs, address child hunger, and increase STEM education. As Chair of the Military Stability Commission, she is leading the first statewide coordinated effort to secure and strengthen Alabama’s military assets ahead of any potential base or force realignments. She also serves as national chair of the Aerospace States Association.
On April 10, 2017, Kay was sworn in as the 54th Governor of the State of Alabama in the Old Senate Chamber in the Alabama State Capitol by Acting Chief Justice Lyn Stuart.
Kay has been honored to receive numerous awards for her service to the State of Alabama, including the 2015 ALFA Service to Agriculture Award, Newmax’s 50 Most Influential Female Republican in the country and, most recently, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) 2016 Public Service Award.
Kay believes if you campaign as a Conservative for office, then you should govern as a Conservative in office. Kay Ivey will continue to bring conservative leadership with effective results to make this generation more productive and the next generation more prosperous.
She is a member of the First Baptist Church of Montgomery, the Montgomery Rotary Club, and the Board of Directors of the Montgomery YMCA. Kay is also the first Girls State alumnus to be elected to an Alabama Constitutional Office.
Board Position: Congressional District 1
Occupation: CFO, Hargrove Engineers + Constructors in Mobile | Current Term: 2021-2025
20 South Royal Street
Mobile, AL 36602
Phone: 251.476.0605
[email protected]
Jeb Shell, CPA is the CFO of Hargrove Engineers + Constructors in Mobile. Jeb joined Hargrove in 2005 when there were 45 teammates. Hargrove now employs over 2,200 in 15 offices.
Jeb serves/served on the boards of United Cerebral Palsy, Boy Scouts of America, JH Outback Mobile, as Chair/President for Bay Area Food Bank and Downtown Mobile Alliance and was recently appointed as a Trustee for the Alabama Community College System Board.
Jeb holds an Accounting degree from the University of South Alabama, where he served as president of both the SGA and the National Alumni Association.
Jeb is a graduate of Leadership Mobile, Mobile Bay’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2011 and was the 2012 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Man of the Year. He was recognized as South Alabama’s Mitchell College of Business’s Impact 50 Alumni in 2018 and is in the 2021 class of Leadership Alabama.
Jeb is married to the former Emily Hearin Hamilton and has two children: John (16) and Kit (13).
Board Position: Congressional District 2
Current Term: 2019-2023
206 Aberdeen Avenue
Enterprise, AL 36330
Phone: 334.406.8000
[email protected]
Mr. John Mitchell is an entrepreneur who owns several automobile dealerships in the southeastern region of the state.
Mr. Mitchell is a past president of the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce and has served in various community service capacities, including leadership roles and membership with the following organizations: Enterprise Lions Club; Coffee County United Way; Wiregrass United Way; Army Aviation Association of America; Association of United States Army-Fort Rucker Chapter; Army Aviation Museum Foundation; Coffee County Arts Alliance; Enterprise High/Enterprise State Community College-Tip-Off Club; Enterprise/Coffee County Economic Development Corporation; City of Enterprise Industrial Development Board; Enterprise Medical Center Board of Trustees; and Enterprise State Community College Foundation Board of Trustees. Mitchell was selected the Enterprise Chamber Retailer of the Year in 2003 and the Coffee County Business Man of the Year in 1996, and was nominated Enterprise Man of the Year in 1994. He is also a member of First Baptist Church in Enterprise.
Board Position: Congressional District 3
Occupation: Retired
P.O. Box 820
Lanett, AL 36863
Phone: 706-590-8817
Valerie Gray is a lifelong resident of Chambers County, Alabama and a graduate from the University of Alabama where she received her B.A. in Geography and Political Science. She retired as the Executive Director of the Chambers County Development Authority where she was employed for more than 22 years. Valerie is a Past President of the Economic Development Association of Alabama Board of Directors (EDAA). Valerie also serves on the Board of Trustees for local community bank Farmer’s & Merchants Bank , the Board of Trustees of Chattahoochee Valley Hospital Society, the EAMC Foundation and numerous other committees at her children’s public schools.
During her tenure at the Chambers County Development Authority, Valerie worked with her economic development team of local elected officials, state officials and utility providers to locate national and international companies to Chambers County from the U.S., Asia & Europe. Since emerging from the great recession in 2009, Chambers County has led the nation with an unemployment rate of 72.1% reduction. Within the last ten years, Chambers County has been successful in locating over 16 manufacturers which resulted in capital investments of over $984 Million USD and total job creation of 3,535 + associates.
She and her husband Shawn Gray are owners of Harris-Gray, LLC a professional civil engineering and land surveying firm. They have a 16-year-old daughter, Sydney, and a 13-year old daughter Samantha and reside in Huguley, Alabama.
Board Position: Congressional District 4
Occupation: Chief Executive Office, Tombigbee Electric Cooperative | Current Term: 2023-2027
3196 County Highway 55
Hamilton, AL
Phone: 205.921.6712
Britton Lightsey is the Chief Executive Office at Tombigbee Electric Cooperative. Britton began his career at Tombigbee as the Chief Operating Officer in June of 2022 after 15 years with Alabama Power. After 10 months as COO, he assumed the role as CEO of Tombigbee in May 2023. He continually provides oversight and guidance of significant projects, such as Tombigbee Communications’ (freedomFIBER) buildout of fiber to the home throughout Northwest Alabama, which currently serves more than 17,000 customers. He has also been instrumental in spearheading the implementation of new Smart Grid strategies and technologies at Tombigbee Electric.
Mr. Lightsey has served his community in a number of capacities throughout the years. He serves/served on the boards of the following: Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance, Central Six of Alabama Workforce Development Council, Region 1 Workforce Development Council Vice-Chairman, Board of Director for the Winfield, Hamilton and Walker County Chamber of Commerce, a 2022 graduate of the Appalachian Regional Commission Leadership Institute.
Mr. Lightsey holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Montevallo.
Britton and his wife Stacie, reside in Winfield along with their two daughters Alexa and Averie.
Board Position: Congressional District 5, Vice-Chair
Occupation: Business Development and Customer Service Manager, Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative | Current Term: 2021-2025
P.O. Box 217
Rainsville, AL 35986
Phone: 256.638.2144
[email protected]
Mr. Rogers works for the Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative in Rainsville, AL as the Business Development and Customer Service Manager. It is in this role that he has helped with broadband expansion efforts in Northeast Alabama.
He has had a career in public service and worked 16 years for the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service and 15 years in Economic Development with the Jackson County Economic Development Authority. He led industrial recruitment projects and assisted with industrial expansions that, in addition to Google’s $600 million data center, totaled over $500 million in capital investment and the creation of almost 3,000 jobs.
He has worked closely with his local community college and understands the importance of having a skilled workforce and workforce development training programs. Mr. Rogers and many of his family have attended community colleges in Alabama.
Mr. Rogers retired from the Army National Guard and Army Reserves as a Colonel with over 30 years of service. He is an Auburn (BS) and UAH (MS Management) Graduate. He is active in his local community and he and his wife Rebecca live in Scottsboro, AL where they raised two children.
Board Position: Congressional District 6
Occupation: President/CEO, Houston Resource Group | Current Term: 2023-2027
P.O. Box 380904
Birmingham, AL 35238
Phone: (205) 572-3766
[email protected]
Ron Houston is the President/CEO of Houston Resource Group. HRG provides business consulting services to small and medium businesses (SMB), strategic planning, project management, and contract negotiations.
A master-certified project executive, Mr. Houston has held various positions in technology and management during his successful career at IBM, Accenture, and BBVA US. In his cumulative career tenure, he served as the Worldwide Client Executive for Open Platforms and as a Global Services Client Executive managing domestic and global relationships.
Mr. Houston is an active Birmingham community leader, serving on the UAB Arts Advisory Board, Tech Birmingham, and is the current Board Chairman of Alabama Possible, a non-profit organization focused on education and literacy for the State of Alabama. He is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and 100 Black Men of Birmingham. He is a man of faith and an ordained Deacon of Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies, Inc.
Mr. Houston is married to Mrs. Rosilyn Houston and a father of three.
He earned a bachelor degree in Business Management from Pepperdine University, an MBA from The University of Kansas, and is currently completing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law at Alabama State University.
Board Position: Congressional District 7, Chair
Occupation: Director, Direct Invest Development | Current Term: 2021-2025
P.O. Box 690
Greensboro, AL 36744
Phone: 334.352.3736
[email protected]
Mr. Llevelyn Rhone is a Director for Direct Invest Development, an impact focused, sustainable real estate company. He has extensive experience in operations, community and economic development, project management, entrepreneurship, and management consulting.
Combining his executive leadership experiences with Fortune 100 firms, federal agencies, and as an entrepreneur, Mr. Rhone brings hands-on know-how and strategic thinking to help individuals, organizations, and communities thrive through increased educational access and opportunities for economic mobility.
Mr. Rhone’s civic and community engagement includes several director and leadership posts with non-profit organizations addressing community well-being, economic development, and entrepreneurship. Mr. Rhone currently serves on the Industrial Development Board of Hale County; the Hale County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as President; as an advisor to the West Central Region of the Economic Development Association of Alabama’s Rural Development Initiative; on the Alabama United, Rural Economic Development Committee; and as a Delta Regional Authority’s Leadership Institute Fellow.
An Alabama native and resident, Mr. Rhone holds an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University.
Board Position: Member-At-Large
Occupation: Former Co-owner of McCartney Construction Company, Inc. | Current Term: 2023-2027
P.O. Box 8494
Gadsden, AL 35902
Phone: 256.295.0240
[email protected]
Tim McCartney is a former co-owner of McCartney Construction Company, Inc., a family-owned highway construction company in Gadsden, Alabama. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Alabama Workforce Council.
Tim was appointed by senate Pro Tem Del Marsh in 2014 as a charter member of the Alabama Workforce Council (AWC). In 2018, Governor Kay Ivey appointed him to serve as the Chairman of the AWC. As Chairman, he works closely with his fellow executive level industry council members along with numerous state agency heads and their staffs to develop and advocate policy to improve Alabama’s state workforce.
Tim has served on numerous civic and industry boards throughout his career. He currently serves on the following:
- Alabama Workforce Council
- Alabama Office of Apprenticeship Advisory Council
- Alabama STEM Council
- National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) at Auburn University
- Etowah Industrial Development Authority
- Gadsden Airport Authority
Tim earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Auburn University in 1980 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Emory University in Atlanta in 1993. He and his wife, Laura, live in Gadsden, Alabama and are the parents of four children.
Board Position: Ex-Officio Member
P.O. Box 302101
Montgomery, Al 36104
205-527-7186
[email protected]
Dr. Yvette M. Richardson has served as a member of the Alabama State Board of Education, representing District 4, since 2010. District 4 encompasses seven well populated counties, and 14 school systems. Currently, Dr. Richardson serves as President Pro Tem of the Alabama State Board of Education.
Dr. Richardson is a native of Fairfield, AL. She is also a proud product of the Fairfield City school system. Dr. Richardson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Miles College, a Master’s and Educational Specialist degree from Samford University, and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Alabama. She spent over 30 years in education in the Fairfield school system. She has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of curriculum, and as the superintendent in the Fairfield and the Russell County school systems. Dr. Richardson has also served as an associate dean at Virginia College.
Currently, she is Dean of General Education, and an associate professor in the Elementary Education Division at Miles College.
She is a member of several professional and civic organizations, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Magic City Chapter of the Links, Inc. She is the mother of two.
She is an advocate for the students and teachers in the state of Alabama. Dr. Richardson is passionate for Anti-bullying efforts, and launched a website, and resource initiatives for the state of Alabama in order to address bullying in the 21st century. She has won an Anti-bullying award, and received recognition for her dedication to Autism. Dr. Richardson is the recipient of the Golden Apple Award from Samford University in the areas of teaching and leadership.
Dr. Richardson believes our children are our greatest investment.
