Board of Trustees

THOMAS ELLIS

DISTRICT 1, SEAT 1 Thomas Ellis, and his family, have owned and operated Priester’s Pecans for many generations. He grew up in the business, working as a laborer in the pecan shelling plant, working and supervising on the production side, overseeing customer service, handling computer management, and eventually managing the corporate responsibilities as president of the company. He also owns and operates Triple E Farm, which raises both cattle and poultry. Ellis is very active in agricultural and economic development organizations in the community and throughout the state. He is also actively involved in his church serving in leadership capacities and participating in various mission trips. He received his Board Leadership Certificate, is a Credentialed Cooperative Director, and is currently pursuing his Director Gold certification.

TOM JAMES

DISTRICT 1, SEAT 2 Tom James has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from MIT and a master’s degree from the University of Houston. He served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy during Vietnam. James was in the heavy industrial construction business for over 35 years, working with companies such as Shell Oil, ORBA Corporation, Blount Energy Resource Corporation, and Zachry Industrial, Inc. Through this experience he has firsthand experience in all types of power generation facilities, cement plants, steel manufacturing, and other large industrial projects. He has held the position of secretary/treasurer, vice chairman, and chairman of Dixie’s board of trustees. He received his Board Leadership Certificate, is a Credentialed Cooperative Director, and completed the Director Gold Credential Program through NRECA.

JAMES SIKES

DISTRICT 1, SEAT 3 James Sikes has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Auburn University. He is the owner of Sikes & Kohn’s Country Mall, a widely recognized business that was established in 1970 and has been a vital part of the community for more than 52 years. He has served on Dixie’s board since 1986 and has held the position of secretary/treasurer and vice chairman. He has previously served on the board of Cooperative Utility Services, LLC and PowerSouth Energy Cooperative. He has served as chairman of the cooperative’s buildings and grounds committee, and served on both the capital credits and wage and salary committees.

HELENA DUNCAN

DISTRICT 2, SEAT 4 Helena Duncan received her bachelor’s degree in finance from Auburn University Montgomery. She has over 30 years of experience in the banking industry with the majority of her time serving in executive management positions. Duncan currently serves as senior vice president of operations and investor relations with the Business Council of Alabama where she is responsible for building and growing member relations and developing strong partnerships within the business community. She also oversees accounting, communications, human resources, marketing and membership. Duncan is actively involved as a community leader. She has served as chairman of the board for Saint James School, and as a board member for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, Child Protect, Women in Business Task Force, Central Alabama Community Foundation, and the Board of Governance for Committee of 100.

KIM JACKSON

VICE CHAIRMAN DISTRICT 2, SEAT 5 Kim Jackson has a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and spent his entire professional career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, from which he retired in 2010. As a financial services assurance partner, he specialized in the audit of public company banks, and worked with other industries such as construction and real estate development. He played a leading role in the development of the Firm’s internal audit services practice, and assisted numerous companies in their implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley internal control requirements. Following retirement, Jackson served as business manager at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School until 2019. He has served on Dixie’s board since 2015. He received his Board Leadership Certificate, his Director Gold certification and is a Credentialed Cooperative Director.

JOHN LIVINGS

DISTRICT 2, SEAT 6 John Livings is a practicing CPA, and is the founder and president of Livings, Lankford, Lambert & Co. CPAs. He is an active member of the Alabama Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. He is also president and owner of Designer Homes, Inc., as well as owner, manager and partner in Waugh Properties, LLC. He has served on Dixie’s board since 2006 and has held the position of secretary/ treasurer, vice chairman, and chairman. He has also served on the board of the Alabama Rural Electric Association, Cooperative Utility Services, LLC, and PowerSouth Energy Cooperative. He is chairman of the capital credits committee, and serves on the governance, wage and salary, renewables and rates, and scholarship committees. He has completed the NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership and Director Gold programs.