B-Metro Nov 2022

The Fred Smith Group:

F o r E v e r y M o v e Y o u M a k e

In today's market, yes, rates are increasing but market values are NOT falling. It is more important than ever to have an EXPERT AGENT working for you. With over 99 years in combined experience, our agents are seasoned and well versed in this changing market. Reach out to us for all of your real estate needs! Call The Fred Smith Group today or visit our Web site at FredSmithGroup.com

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B–Metro is published from offices at 712 47th Street South Birmingham, AL 35222 (205) 427-6583

FEATURES

10. Pop Ramen

Lots of comfort comes from a bowl of noodles and a colorful food truck. Photography by Chuck St. John

26. Women & Food United Celebrating their tenth year as a chapter, the women of Les Dames d’Escoffier – Birmingham are redefining what it means to be a part of the culinary industry in the Magic City. Text By Christiana Roussel, Photography by Chuck St. John

34. Seen in Birmingham Artist Véro Vanblaere shows off the town.

40. A Community of Song

Founded by Earl and Frances Clark and steered for many years by their daughter Bebe Clark Kok, The Alabama Civic Chorale celebrates the majesty of music this November with their 75th performance of Handel’s Messiah

44. Hospitality Magic City Style

Matthew and Rebekah Gregory turned a downtown building into a home away from home for AirBNB travelers.

48. On the Farm

How are you going to stay in the city after you see Half Mile Farm at Old Edwards in Highlands, NC?

53. Top Women Attorneys

Our annual look at the city’s top women lawyers.

77. Top 50 over 50

The seventh annual Top 50 Over 50 Awards from Positive Maturity.

Partner Content

12. Women Business Leaders

Vivian Mora, Kelli Caulfield, Dr. April Maddux, Emily Ferrell, Erin Barrow, Maria Underwood

18. Ask the Experts

Dr. Michael Beckenstein, Baker Camp Arnold Capital Management, Superior Automotive.

Cover Photo by Chuck St. John

Artist Vero shows off the town (page 34)

Half Mile Farm (page 48)

WALTON

A LEGACY OF LEISURE

South Walton’s 26 miles of sugar-white sand beaches in Northwest Florida offer an all-natural escape, yet perfectly blend modern amenities, worldclass cuisine and small town charm into an unforgettable experience.

The days move a bit slower here, and it’s this simplicity – a day spent creating memories at the beach – that draws generations of families back to South Walton.

KINDLING BONDS

While our 16 beach neighborhoods offer beyond-the-beach activities to please everyone in your circle, the focus keeps coming around to our sugar-white sand. Find your perfect beach at VisitSouthWalton.com.

Your Perfect Your Perfect

It’s the quiet season along the Gulf. Autumn and winter bring vivid sunsets and a world of wonder to discover. This time of year is perfect for weekend getaways, an extended stay for a romantic time away or a reunion with family or friends. The quiet season at the beach creates a simple, laid-back atmosphere that encourages relaxation and rejuvenation.

South Walton, Florida is the place to find your perfect off-season retreat, with 26 miles of sugar-white sand, turquoise water and 16 beach neighborhoods, each with its own personality and style.

Beach Beach

South Walton is a destination with countless beyond-thebeach activities for a relaxing getaway any time of year.

With stunning architecture and stark white facades that seem to glow from within, Alys Beach’s unique style may recall visions of Greek villages perched above the Mediterranean Sea. From its iconic palm-lined entry to secluded courtyards and greenspaces, Alys Beach is truly a luxurious escape from everyday living.

In South Walton, you can find a mix of shops and restaurants that perfectly complements the area’s natural attractions and activities, from kayaking and golfing to tennis and bicycling.

Explore more than 200 miles of trails, four state parks, a 15,000acre state forest and 15 rare coastal dune lakes. Run or bike on the 19mile Timpoochee Trail for panoramic views of New Urbanist neighborhoods and stunning scenic beauty. You will discover vast nature preserves

that create a relaxed respite not often found in similar destinations.

For indoor activities, book a rejuvenating yoga class, spa day or visit an antique bookstore. Check out the destination’s arts and culture by exploring local artists’ unique galleries and studios. And check the calendar, world-class festivals of food and wine, art and film are all a part of the year-round events in South Walton.

Some of the best indoor experiences revolve around food. From casual fresh Gulf seafood to upscale dining experiences, South Walton is set apart by its diverse culinary scene.

More than 200 restaurants, including award-winning chefs, highlight a fusion of flavors using fresh-from-theGulf and locally sourced ingredients. Whether you’re in search of waterfront dining or local favorites within

Above: Hiking and biking trails abound in South Walton, leading riders past New Urbanist neighborhoods, breathtaking scenery and unique architecture. Below: Located at 24215 US Hwy. 331 South, The Bay is Chef Jim Shirley’s family-friendly waterfront restaurant that features mouth-watering Southern Gulf Coast cuisine, seafood, sushi, a 12-draft beer system and plenty of live music.

quaint neighborhoods and unique town squares, you can find the perfect location for every craving.

Or opt for a private culinary experience, where Walton County’s finest chefs will prepare a one-of-akind meal in the comfort of your own home or rental property.

For even more variety and a day trip or quick detour with picturesque views, head north of Choctawhatchee Bay to check out DeFuniak Springs.

Here you can explore the historic downtown district for unique shops, restaurants and boutiques. Walk around Lake DeFuniak for views of nearly 200 historic homes and buildings, about 40 of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

With summer at the beach fading into memory, it’s time to plan an easily accessible getaway, a mere four hours away from Birmingham. Find your perfect beach at VisitSouthWalton.com.

Above top: Architecturally beautiful and lively, Rosemary Beach is a neo-traditional beach community that mixes New Urbanism – the design style that places everything within a short walk of town center – and West Indies style with pristine beaches, a bustling town square, and award-winning restaurants. Above: 2015 South Walton Artist of the Year Francisco Adaro’s gallery is located at The Big Chill in WaterSound. Below: DeFuniak Springs is home to a once-gated campus/resort built during the Victorian era and marketed to the nation as “The Education Resort of the South.” The historic grounds of this campus/resort welcomed visitors to the annual, multi-week Florida Chautauqua Assembly from 1885 to 1927. Incredibly, the grounds are mostly intact today and the charming structures collectively are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pop Ramen

Poppy has hit the streets, and its bringing noodles along for the ride.

The people behind the success of Melt, first as a food truck then as a brick and mortar restaurant, have brought chef-inspired Ramen to Birmingham in the guise of an attractive, customdesigned food truck nicknamed Poppy.

Melt founders Harriet Reis, Paget Pizitz, and Chefs Cory Bolton and Addison “Cobra” Porter loved the idea of doing a mobile ramen truck. With the popularity of ramen and the lessons Covid taught restaurateurs to think of ways to reinvent themselves, Pop Ramen served from the colorful food truck “Poppy” seemed like a natural.

Ramen is a late night comfort food, and the Pop Ramen chefs, accustomed to late nights in the food business, set about spicing up your typical packet of ramen noodles and creating fun food. Chef Cobra has a particular love for all things noodle so Pop Ramen was a great fit for him.

Bolton and Porter are two chefs truly well versed in all aspects of food, having worked the full spectrum, from BBQ to fine dining. The duo is also known for their YouTube videos. They brought their appreciation for creativity to the humble noodle, creating dishes like Chicken and the Egg: food court chicken, wok fried chicken leg, soy cured egg, carrots, edamame with lemon grass chicken broth—finished with a sweet chile sauce. The

Lot of comfort in that bowl of noodles.

Breakfast at Midnight Rice Bowl features honey-glazed pork belly, soy cured egg, bacon, cucumber, carrots, spiced mayo and sweet soy. The Loaded Dumplings are pork and onion dumplings with spicy mayo, scallions, sesame seeds, and bacon.

You can find Pop Ramen at Neon Moon on 2nd Avenue every Thursday for a late-night bite. They post on instagram.com/pop_ramenbham and facebook.com/ meltbham about their upcoming locations.

CHARLES BILLINGSLEY in concert with THE ALABAMA SYMPHONY AN EVENING OF AMERICAN STANDARDS AND CLASSICS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD - 7PM

Samford University Wright Center

Benefiting Portraits of Hope

For tickets: tickets.samford.edu or 205.726.2853

The Shadow of Your Smile is a big-hearted, show stopping collection drawing from the hits of Broadway, big band, smooth jazz and the Great American Songbook. These beloved standards and classics, newly arranged and powered by Charles Billingsley’s larger than life voice accompanied by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra will be a night to remember.

To learn more about Portraits of Hope please visit: portraitsofhope.charity

Chefs Cory Bolton and Addison “Cobra” Porter

Women Business Leaders

State Farm agency owner Vivian Mora and her team are passionate about the positive impact they can make in people’s lives and our communities by helping them protect what they work so hard for. They stay focused on helping customers plan for the future of their families and businesses. “My team really cares and they know why we do what we do every day,” Vivian says.

Vivian Mora has worked in a number of different fields from Latino media to Birmingham city government, where she served as bilingual public information officer in 2002.

There have been other firsts in her career. Vivian was the first Latina State Farm Agent in Alabama. “My team and I had the privilege of starting the first full service multilingual State Farm office in Hoover, in 2009, providing auto, renters, homeowner, business, life, health and financial services. The agency has become a pioneer in the Hispanic and New American market thanks to all our loyal customers in Central Alabama.”

Recognizing the need to serve this diverse market and

her strong team mentorship culture, State Farm offered Vivian in 2020, a second location in Irondale, as the first agent to have two offices in the state.

“Our dedicated team is our strength and we are very intentional on providing opportunities for personal and professional growth.

“Many of the team members have kids or aging parents, as I do. Keeping up the work and life balance is not an easy task. Being able to offer flexible hybrid schedules, a mix of home and office days, really motivated the staff and created a feeling of commitment, trust and gratefulness.”

Most of her team members are females, starting a new career from scratch. “Introducing my team to the financial services field, which addresses such a need in our community, has been one of the most powerful experiences of my profession. It has encouraged us to strengthen our relationships with local colleges and universities in search of more ‘servant hearted candidates’ to join our ever growing team.”

Vivian Mora State Farm Agency

Hoover Office

3253 Lorna Road Hoover, AL 35216 (205) 822-5023

Irondale Office

1848 Crestwood Blvd Irondale, AL 35210 (205) 951-0255

Vivian Mora

Owner

Vivian Mora State Farm Agency

“Our team works hard to help customers plan for the future of their families and

Team members below at the new Irondale

Vivian Mora Agency location

Women Business Leaders

A true entrepreneur, Kelli Caldwell has built a number of businesses throughout the years. Born in May 1982, in New Orleans and reared in Birmingham from age four, Kelli Caulfield is the daughter of the late Ernest Lee Caulfield, Esq., and Gayle Cunningham Caulfield. She is a 2000 graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham and in 2004 earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in History and Philosophy from Xavier University in New Orleans, and later received a Juris Doctor degree.

Caulfield started a number of businesses in Louisiana before returning to Birmingham and founding Valley St Investments in 2020, a real estate investment trust company. In January 2008 Caulfield incorporated the Ernest Lee Caulfield Foundation, dedicated to her late father and focuses on helping support the intellectual, social and cultural development of disadvantaged youth.

In 2011, NOLA Ice was born out of a need to bring more New Orleans culinary flavor to Birmingham.

In 2016 Caulfield continued the New Orleans trend by developing Broad St Peaux Boys, a food truck that specializes in po’boys and Cajun cuisine. That same year she founded The Basement Cafe at City Hall. In 2021, she combined her top two brands into one creating NOLA Ice-Broad St Peaux Boys—which is currently located inside of The Pizitz Food Hall. This year she created Broad St Accents—a company specializing in New Orleans inspired homemade seasonings and sauces. The current expansion plan for NOLA Ice-Broad St is to open a second location early next year.

Caulfield won the 2014 Alabama Media Group’s Entrepreneur of the Year award and in 2018 was a Birmingham Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Recipient.

Caulfield Investment Holdings

www.nolaice-broadst.com • caulfieldholdings.com

Kelli Caulfield

Vice

Women Business Leaders

Dr. April Maddux

Founder Breast Care Center of Birmingham

Dr. April Maddux founded the Breast Care Center of Birmingham as a purpose-built facility to provide comprehensive, multi-disciplinary breast care service. Their services include a wide range of clinical and support services, from screening (risk assessments) and diagnosis to treatment and counseling.

Dr. Maddux’s practice has evolved significantly over the years with increasing focus on surgical treatment of breast cancer and preventive/prophylactic surgery for high-risk individuals. Dr. Maddux is a board certified general surgeon and fellowship trained breast oncologist specializing in breast surgery and genetic counseling and testing. She and her staff at the Breast Care Center of Birmingham provide a

comprehensive approach to breast care. Dr. Maddux services patients and operates at Brookwood Medical Center, St. Vincent’s and Grandview Medical Center.

Dr. Maddux is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College and the University of Alabama School of Medicine, and completed her internship and residency at Carraway Methodist Medical Center from 1998 to 2003. She also completed a Breast Fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Maddux is a Candidate of the American College of Surgeons; and member of the Association of Women Surgeons; Southeastern Surgical Congress; and the American Society of Breast Surgeons.

Breast Care Center of Birmingham

2018 Brookwood Medical Center Dr #207, Birmingham, AL 35209 • (205) 877-2987 • www.breastcarecenterofbirmingham.com

Women Business Leaders

Emily was the first employee hired at Vituro Health and was instrumental in it being named one of the fastestgrowing companies in Birmingham in 2016. She has worn many hats during the growth phase and has played an integral role in Vituro’s steady success. Her focus has been to grow Vituro’s business development, marketing, and physician partnerships which has led Vituro to be the second-largest provider of ablative prostate cancer therapies in the country. Additionally, she has developed a highly skilled physician network with over 200 physicians across the United States and Canada. Her leadership has kept Vituro at the forefront of bringing new technology to the market for prostate cancer treatment as Vituro Health was the first company in the United States to bring the Tulsa Pro treatment for prostate cancer to the market. Emily finds it rewarding to work for Vituro because these prostate cancer treatments offer men a chance to maintain their quality-

of-life post-treatment. During the pandemic, Emily played a key role in the growth of Vituro Health as the company now offers at-home testing services through its innovative site www.onovihealth.com.

She is a graduate of UAB and was promoted to Senior Vice President of Partner Relations in August of 2019. She just completed her role as Treasurer for The Service Guild of Birmingham and is part of the 2020 class of 40 under 40 by the Birmingham Business Journal. After placing third in Dancing with the Stars of the Magic City, Emily was inspired to recently start her own nonprofit Pinky’s Purpose, which provides feminine products to homeless women. Her hobbies include laughing, dancing, sleeping, reading, running, and dining at Mexico Lindo. She is wife to David, mother to the best “terrifiver” Vivi, and two rescues Twoey Joi and Asta White.

Emily Ferrell

Senior Vice President, Partner Relations Vituro Health

Women Business Leaders

Erin Dunavant Barrow founded SWAG Design Studio, in 2009, fulfilling a need the Birmingham area lacked. SWAG provides the real estate market an opportunity to visualize every vacant space through home staging & design services. With an extensive background in new construction, Erin understands the demographics and the dynamics of a competitive marketplace. In 2014, Mollie Piccirilli joined SWAG as Design Director to enhance the collaboration with clients, project managers, builders, and REALTORS to ensure our vision becomes their reality. Jennifer Felton is the perfect addition to the team as Operations Director to facilitate all online inquiries, schedule installs with clients and our in-house movers, and coordinate product deliveries such as furniture and decor for projects.

At SWAG Design Studio, they strive to not only enhance and promote the relationship between REALTOR and client but to also inspire loyalty and future sales. The

design company also provides on–trend design selections for new construction homebuilders in addition to turnkey model homes furnishings and home staging options for residential and commercial projects.

Located in the heart of Homewood, SWAG combines its design studio, offices, and 3,500 square foot branded Home Staging inventory space.

“In addition to our design studio, we have an extensive inventory including furniture, art, area rugs, accessories and much more to successfully partner with builders and REALTORS when selling properties for top dollar, ” Erin says.

The company’s creativity and impressive sales statistics have established SWAG Design Studio as one of the most sought after home stagers and designers in the state. SWAG is impacting how homes get sold successfully throughout Alabama.

Erin Barrow

Owner

The SWAG Design Studio team: (from left) Jennifer Felton, Erin Barrow, Mollie Piccirilli

Women Business Leaders

Fundrage is a social impact platform and Google Chrome extension that empowers every individual to create positive change in real-time, helping users channel their anger into action when reading the news.

Founder Maria Underwood is a Birmingham native with more than 10 years of experience in fundraising and social media strategy, locally and in major markets across the US. She has consulted and presented internationally on digital fundraising, millennial giving and trends in the nonprofit sector. Having been successful in all types of fundraising campaigns—major events, corporate sponsorships, peerto-peer, grassroots, grant writing and major gifts—Maria has unique knowledge into the how and the why donors give. Additionally, she has acted as a host and moderator of national panels primarily focused on the rise in political activism since 2016.

She moved back to Birmingham after seven years in Washington, D.C. and started her own company,

Fundrage, with help from the Innovation Depot’s Velocity and Voltage programs. Currently she’s working to scale the company while also serving as a consultant for nonprofits across the country.

“I’ve always known that I wanted my career to have meaning—to be something that gave back. I didn’t expect it to lead down the path of a tech company, but coming back to Birmingham and engaging with the supportive startup community here has been the best place to get it started.

“I’m thrilled to be able to give back to the city that pours so much into me. I’m currently on the board of TechBirmingham, and I was thrilled to be on the Volunteer Committee of The World Games, as well as a member of the organizing committee for Magic City Fashion Week”

Her hobbies include teaching Pure Barre in Homewood, trailing behind her dog, Isla, on runs and exploring Birmingham’s phenomenal food and beverage scene.

Maria Underwood Nonprofit Consultant and Founder of Fundrage

Dr. Michael Beckenstein’s T3 Hair Restoration practice has over a decade of experience providing excellent care for hairloss in both men and women of all ages.

Innovative and cutting edge, Dr Beckenstein was the first to bring Neograft to Alabama as well as other innovative treatments including laser therapy, PRP, scalp micropigmentation and stem cell therapy.

The next breakthrough innovation from Dr. Beckenstein in the treatment for hair loss is genetic testing. “With genetic testing we are now able to develop a comprehensive care plan based on a patient’s individual genetics. With a simple swab of the mouth we are able to determine which therapies are effective and which ones are not effective. There are over nine categories of therapies that we can offer to patients. This includes compounding of lotions and foams to apply to the scalp and also prescription medicine in pill form.”

T3 hair restoration is committed to bringing the most innovative, effective and safe therapies that will yield the best results for you. Though robotic services are in use in the industry, they are not used in the T3 practice, wince the robot does not provide the artistic and human touch required to design and execute a natural normal looking head of hair.

If you’re looking for an experienced, comprehensive medical practice for hair loss that provides the latest innovative therapies that uses the human touch T3 hair restoration is for you.

A Roadmap for Financial Security

(Baker Camp Arnold Capital Management)

Baker Camp Capital is a premier, full-service financial advisory firm located in Hoover with a nationwide presence. They offer their clients concierge quality advisory and planning services customized for their individual needs and goals. The firm’s planning includes investment, insurance, education, retirement, business and trust services; as well as property and casualty insurance for both personal and business clients. Their approach is to centralize their clients’ diverse financial

strategies and life-plans to provide a coordinated, efficient and effective roadmap for financial security utilizing the most cutting-edge financial planning software.

Principal Owner, Joshua L. Baker, AIF®, CLTC, and Senior Equity Partner, Tyler S. Camp, CFP®, along with Partners, Ginger Baker Issinoff and David K. Arnold have over 50 years of combined experience in the financial services industry. Principal Owner and Managing Director Joshua Baker was honored with Forbes 2022 Top Financial Security Professional–ranking Best-In-State and Top 250 nationwide. Visit www.bakercamparnold.com or call 205-847-1422 to schedule your free financial plan! They look forward to meeting you!

the experts Financial Services

Photo: Front row from left, Tyler Camp, CFP® Senior Equity Partner/Wealth Management Advisor; Josh Baker, AIF®, CLTC Principal Owner/Managing Director; David Arnold, Senior Equity Partner/Senior Risk Consultant, Property & Casualty Insurance; Ginger Issinoff, Senior Partner/Concierge Services Manager. Back row from left, Amy Tucker, Nicole Roden, Mark Lovoy CPFA®, Senior Partner, Wealth Management Advisor; Alexander Taulien; Christian Ragsdale; and Kelsi Caraway.

“Our mission is to make an impact, not only on the lives of those we meet with, but on the future generations that we will never meet.”

Danny Bedgood and Jeff Brewer at Superior Automotive.

Danny Bedgood gets up from his desk and greets a customer as they bring their Toyota into Superior Automotive on Birmingham’s Southside. It’s a greeting he makes many times a day, creating a comfortable and welcoming place for men and women, whose Toyota and Lexus vehicles are in need of maintenance or repair.

The bond between an auto service shop and the customers they serve can be among the strongest loyalty experiences in any kind of retail business. The car is a critical part of the family and work dynamic. We need them, and we need them badly. We also need them to work, smoothly and safely. Underpinning this need is the one person who stands between us and broke car hades, a great auto mechanic.

Bedgood has put his heart and soul into being just that sort of mechanic since he opened up his own shop in 1999. Superior was the first in town to specialize in Toyota and Lexus models, and that commitment to those brands keeps the shop in the forefront of ever-changing technology and up to date service.

Superior Automotive is able to offer top-flight service because of the skill of their mechanics and the personal commitment of owner Bedgood.

He has built his decades-long career on the twin standards of reliability and expertise. Bedgood believes that providing great service to customers extends from offering accurate and clear estimates to shuttling them to home or work while repairs or maintenance are being worked.

There’s no kindness too small to share with a customer, no conversation that is not meaningful in building a relationship of trust and caring. It is more than just an auto repair shop, Bedgood has built, this is a community of people and their vehicles coming together in an experience that goes way beyond mere commerce.

“People start out as customers and end up being friends,” Bedgood says.

That Diamond Glow Revolutionary Therapy Uses an Actual Diamond to Treat Skin

Diamond Glow® is a revolutionary skin care therapy that is not a facial, and uses actual diamonds on the device to treat your skin unlike any other

Available at Dr. Michael Beckenstein’s medical practice, Diamond Glow® performs three essential functions to make your skin look healthier, brighter, and more youthful: Exfoliation which removes the outer layer of skin revealing the new healthy layer; Extraction which removes debris, oils and waxes from the pores; and Infusion, where various Skin MedicaTM serums can be infused into the skin to target the specific requirements of each patient. These include hyaluronic acid to help with fine lines and wrinkles, and itamin C to enhance the skin’s appearance and create a more youthful look, among other serums. The DiamondGlow® device is a general dermabrasion device that gently removes the top layer of skin and delivers topical cosmetic serums onto the skin.

Diamond Glow® is for women and men of all ages, and specific therapies can be custom designed for various needs of the skin of the face, neck and chest.

What patients say:

“My skin has never looked better. These treatments with the Skin Medica products  that were chosen personally for me has made me look healthier and younger. I use less makeup when I go out, and all my family and friends comment of how good I look.”

“I had dry-looking skin and blotchiness but six weeks of treatment has made a tremendous improvement.”

Inspiration happens

Sydney was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at 13 years old. Through her treatment and recovery, she bonded with the doctors and nurses saying, “they became like family to me.” She was so inspired by her care team, she decided to become a doctor and help other children going through a scary and similar situation. She also wanted to show that people with physical challenges can and should pursue medicine, too. She believes her journey to becoming a doctor was inspired as a patient here at Children’s of Alabama.

Sydney Cancer Survivor

The power of community is an undeniable one.

To be a part of something larger than oneself, to contribute as an individual to the betterment of the whole, is fundamentally enriching and life-altering. Many of us have had the good fortune of finding our community

Les Dames leaders: clockwise top left, LaCrista Hutchinson (regional manager with US Foods), Mary Grace Viado (corporate executive chef of Village Tavern), Martha Johnston (Southern Living/Southern Progress Corporation, retired), Past President Kathy G. Mezrano (owner and CEO of Kathy G & Co), and President Leigh Sloss-Corra (executive director of the Market at Pepper Place).

of women in a variety of culinary disciplines whose mission is to inspire, advance, and support women in these industries to achieve excellence and enrich our communities.

LDEI was formed in the early 1970s by Carol Brock, the then-Sunday food editor of the New York Daily News, as

of the food and culinary industry in our city. The goal was to establish a formal community to share best practices, provide support for one another, and to encourage the next generation of professionals in these fields.

“LDEI is such a much-needed organization,” said Idie Hastings, owner

Women & Food

– bonding with those places and people where we can plug-in, serve, and be value-added.

However, for some women in the professional arenas of food, wine, and hospitality, finding that sense of community and inclusion has historically felt elusive. Industry leaders and standard-bearers, while not exclusively male, have been very male-centric. That, coupled with ongoing issues of gender equality, was a tremendous reason behind the creation of Les Dames d’Escoffier (LDEI), an international non-profit organization

a response to the all-male Les Amis d’Escoffier Society. Brock aimed to have this new all-female group carry on the traditions set forth by Auguste d’Escoffier (1846 – 1935) himself: the perpetuation of culinary excellence and philanthropy, but with a focus on the contributions that women specifically could make.

In Birmingham, that opportunity came in 2013 when the local chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier was founded by 55 women—one of the largest initial memberships in the history of the organization—who came from all facets

of Hot and Hot Fish Club and OvenBird Restaurant and a member of LDEI since 2016. “I have been in the industry for 30 years and would have loved to have LDEI as a resource when I began my business. As women united, we are a force in the workplace, community, and philanthropic endeavors, and there is nothing like women supporting other women in all facets of food, beverage, and hospitality. The older I become, the more I want to extend my knowledge and experience with others.”

The way we hope to accomplish our mission of education, advocacy,

Celebrating their tenth year as a chapter, the women of Les Dames d’Escoffier – Birmingham are redefining what it means to be a part of the culinary industry in the Magic City.

Food United

By Christiana Roussel

Photography by Chuck St. John

Clockwise from top left: Jasmine Smith (recipe developer and tester at Meredith Corporation), Andrea Kirkland (owner and founder of Culinary Med. Ed), Kristal Bryant (owner of K & J’s Elegant Pastries), and Aimee Castro (front-of-house manager at Sol Y Luna Tapas and Tequila).

mentoring, and philanthropy takes many forms.

Supporting Our Community

“The thing about LDEI Birmingham that is most rewarding is how we come together for the shared goal of making our community better,” said Susan Swagler, a past president of LDEI BHM, journalist, and food blogger, “We are diverse—in age, backgrounds and careers—but we find common ground so easily.”

These activities include our ongoing work with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama. Our members volunteer there monthly, and we produced a seasonal cooking and foodsafety guide to go into the Food Bank’s holiday boxes. We also recently worked alongside the Food Bank to produce their beautiful and successful ‘Feast for Hope’ gala, a fundraiser held in the Food Bank warehouse to support their vital work around food insecurity and hunger.

Other members volunteer their time and skills with WellHouse, a local residential recovery program for exploited women. Our members teach monthly cooking classes to WellHouse residents, providing them foundational skills and confidence in the kitchen to help prepare for the time when they are able to reenter the world.

Women Empowering Women

Every member of the organization understands the path it takes to reach a certain level of success in our chosen fields, and we want to help other women realize their dreams, by offering

financial support and assistance for students pursuing their education as well as women who are building their businesses. We do this through a grant and scholarship program, which has given away more than $120,000 to women in our community in the past seven years.

“Our chapter has been around since 2013, but we really began to hit our stride when we started focusing more heavily on raising money and finding ways to give back to the community,” said founding member Rachel West, senior nutrition editor at eMeals, the nation’s largest meal planning app. “That was always our hope and mission, but it took a little while to figure out how best to do that, including what the fundraising events should be and how best to organize our diverse membership for success.”

Our primary fundraiser is the annual Champagne & Fried Chicken picnic dinner that began as a drivethrough option in response to lockdown restrictions, but it has since evolved— you can still drive through to pick your basket up, or you can join us for a meal and party in the street at Pepper Place.

“The event in 2020 was so successful, we planned to do it again in 2021,” said Kathy G. Mezrano, immediate past president and owner of Kathy G. & Co. “And we did. We were able to award $33,000 in grants and scholarships to women…and we added to our endowment, so it will perpetuate another grant or scholarship as well.”

In February, several of our dames who bake, work together to produce giftable Sweet Treats confection-filled

boxes. We time this sale to coincide with Valentine’s Day and it has become a new tradition at Pepper Place that customers love. Past grant and scholarship recipients have included students like Evgeniya Koshelyaevskaya who is majoring in baking and pastry arts at Jefferson State Community College’s Culinary and Hospitality Institute. Sabrina Murray and Emily Murray are mother-daughter recipients –a first for our chapter! – who plan to open a meal-prep and mealsto-go company while also working to eradicate food waste in our city. Rylie M. Hightower, owner of The Lumbar in Pepper Place, was the recipient of one of our entrepreneurial grants which afforded her the opportunity to expand her restaurant’s outdoor seating (while also completing her doctorate in biomedical neuroscience at UAB).

Sharing Our Knowledge

For the past several years, September has been designated as Women in Food month at the Market at Pepper Place (currently in its 22nd year of operation). During the month, LDEI members “take over,” hosting cooking demos, sharing their expertise, promoting their businesses, and spreading the word about the work of our chapter. It was the idea of Leigh Sloss-Corra, executive director of The Market and incoming LDEI chapter president.

“I’m so grateful for the effort sister Dames have put into our events at the Market at Pepper Place, said SlossCorra. “I live and breathe it of course— it’s my job and my life. But when all these super successful and professional women make the time to show up at our Market events, do the work, and display the same passion, I am humbled. This is what we do for each other. It really is a sisterhood and keeps growing every year.”

For more information on our members, our activities, or to apply for a grant or scholarship, please visit our website: www.ldeibirmingham.org

From left: Alexis Douglas (Certified Sommelier and owner of Lexlovesvino Consulting), Pat Terry (registered and licensed dietitian), and Sonthe Burge (registered and licensed dietitian).

From left: Charbett Cauthen (hospitality consultant), Fanoula Gulas (owner of the Greek Kouzina), and Cristina Almanza (businessdevelopment coordinator for the Birmingham division of Buffalo Rock).

Jessica Bennett, bar manager for Avine Cavista & Social.

Voices of Women in the Culinary Industry

“My membership with LDEI is important because we elevate other women.  I love that the Birmingham Chapter is comprised of a diverse group of ladies from an array of backgrounds in the industry that have a common goal of education and philanthropy.  I enjoy that we have the opportunity to develop relationships with incredibly smart and talented women while having fun and giving back to our community! The work performed by the ladies of LDEI Birmingham chapter truly exemplifies the quote, ‘to whom much is given, much is required.’  It’s a remarkable group of women who share their time, talent, and knowledge.”

— Lacrista Hutchinson, North Region Sales Manager with US Foods

“This chapter is a culinary sisterhood that is warm and supportive, in how we support the dreams of other up and coming women in the industry while giving back to our local community. I am constantly humbled to be a part of this organization, which is made up of the best women in the industry.”

— Mary Grace Viado, Corporate Executive Chef, Village Tavern

“What I love most about being a member is that we’re all committed to helping women at every career level and helping women across all areas of expertise find success in the food industry. It’s an honor to be a part of a group where not only do we support each other in our own business and professional endeavors, but we also raise money to specifically help fund students and budding entrepreneurs through grants. As a content creator, one of my favorite projects that I’ve worked on was producing a promotional video for our Entrepreneur Grant featuring our first grant winner and now fellow Dame Nancey Legg from Better Kombucha.”  — Andrea Kirkland, Owner, Culinary Med Ed

Members of Les Dames work on the group’s major fundraiser Champagne & Fried Chicken (October 2 this year). The event creates a gourmet picnic for two featuring gluten-free Southernfried chicken (with a vegetarian option), potato salad with shallot vinaigrette & herbs, kale salad with dried fruit, biscuits, pear & cheese, cornbread muffins, homemade banana pudding and a cold bottle of Cremant de Bourgogne packed into a reusable market bag. (Photos by Joe DeSciose)

“One of the greatest attributes of this organization is the resounding attitude of our members who consistently answer “YES” when asked to participate or to contribute their time, energy or resources. At our core, we fundamentally understand that we did not get here on our own and we have an obligation to lift others up.”   About the Author: Christiana Roussel (@Christiana.Roussel) has been a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier since 2016. She is an award-winning food, travel and lifestyle writer with work appearing in Garden & Gun Magazine, Good Grit, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Nashville Lifestyles, Birmingham Home & Garden Magazine and other media outlets

From left: President Leigh Sloss-Corra (executive director of the Market at Pepper Place), Pardis Stitt (co-owner of Highlands, Bottega, and Chez Fonfon), Past President Kathy G. Mezrano (owner and CEO of Kathy G & Co), Idie Hastings (co-owner of Hot and Hot Fish Club and Ovenbird). Seated: Christiana Roussel (food, travel and lifestyle writer).

Seen in

Birmingham

Artist Véro Vanblaere shows off the town.

A career in creative advertising originally brought Véronique (Véro) Vanblaere from Belgium to the United States in 1996. She soon founded and ran Naked Art, a gallery that allowed her to focus on her own non-traditional and functional art. Naked Art was a successful space that also served as a home for many local and regional independent artists over the years. Véro’s love for art once again took her from the gallery to the world as she closed the doors on the brick and mortar business after two decades to focus full time on her art.

Véro the Traveling Artist is a new journey that explores fibers and fabrics, revamped clothing, original drawings, paintings, murals and even puppetry. She constructs soft sculpture in the form of extravagant hats and luminaries which often become part of larger public and private art installations.

She also writes and directs animation films featuring the characters from her drawings or puppets that she conceives and builds. She and other locals started “Pardon My Puppet”, the Birmingham puppet guild, and creates shows for a variety of puppet mediums. The shows have been on hold since the pandemic.

She has also begun a new series (presented in these pages) of illustrations inspired by Birmingham.

You can’t talk about local gastronomy and impeccable service without mentioning Highlands Bar & Grill first. The pandemic unfortunately forced them to temporarily close their doors. The waiting list line will probably go around the planet by the time they reopen (opposite).

Taking an imaginary ride back in time at the Leer Tower downtown (below).

According to the legend, you can only find entrance of the Red Lion lounge in Homewood on a full moon. When you succeed, be ready for a time warp.

Date night at Chez Lulu (above). Sandwich at the Garage (at left). Coffee and old school selfies (at right).

The food truck that should exist (above). A real pharmacy in Crestwood (below).

The mail man’s favorite food at Post Office Pies in Avondale.

A Community of Song

Founded by Earl and Frances Clark and steered for many years by their daughter Bebe Clark Kok, The Alabama Civic Chorale celebrates the majesty of music this November with their 75th performance of Handel’s Messiah

Chorale conductor Bebe Clark Kok. © 2011. Alabama Media Group. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

The Alabama Civic Chorale was founded by Earl and Frances Clark, following a trip with their high school and church choirs, to a music conference where they sang Messiah. Upon return from the trip, Mr. and Mrs. Clark’s groups began to practice together. They often found themselves going from home to home with a pump organ, and practicing many nights each week. The first presentation of Handel’s Messiah was during Christmas, 1947.

During the Christmas season of 1948, the choirs from South Highland Baptist Church and Mrs. Clark’s McAdory High School Chorus officially combined their voices. It was a successful beginning for the group. Although there were challenges as they grew, their determination and willingness were the foundation of each year’s success.

The size of the chorus grew. Presentations of Messiah and other great works were presented at various churches and cities, at Bessemer High School, and at The BJCC for a national convention. First UMC Bessemer then became the home of the chorale for many years.

The Chorale’s love for learning and sharing great music, brought people from all over our state, our country, and a few from around the globe. They presented music from many different great composers but there was always an annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah.

With the passing of the founders, Bebe Clark Kok, a daughter of the founders, took up the baton of the Alabama Civic Chorale. The community of the group, the fulfillment of bringing fine arts to the community and giving back to others, continued as the goal of this group. During this time the ACC moved to its present home at Riverchase UMC where the group continues to grow.

Daughter of the founder and conductor of the chorale remembers the early days. “When I was about 10, I thought I had arrived. We were on the stage at Bessemer High School. I had sung Messiah many times holding the score and sitting in front of our record player. I had also gone to rehearsals. (Perhaps Dad thought I would sit still if I were singing) He asked if I wanted to sing, and I did. I was on stage with the orchestra, sitting next to one of the best sopranos, and sang Messiah with the group for the first time. I was so serious. I wanted it to be the best. I held my book up and paid attention. I never came in before it was time to sing. It was the highlight of my life, at that point, to be a part of this group. I can still name about two-thirds of the people that sang in that group and if you see the picture you can see on the right, front row a little girl with bobby socks on. That was me,” Kok says.

In the spirit of Handel and his desire to give back, the group

has always had a desire to help and support the community in different ways.

Handel gave the proceeds from many of his performances to the Foundling Hospital in London. The Foundling Hospital was established to educate and maintain children in need. In keeping with that, for the 75th presentation (Sunday Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. at Riverchase UMC church, this year the Chorale will ask that donations be brought to benefit children and infants. This can be anything from formula, diapers, books for small children, or new clothes for infants and young children.

“The group has also sung at retirement homes. The concerts would be selections of choruses from Messiah or other anthems. During our visit we would have the residents sing along to familiar songs with us. These visits would be followed with a meet and greet time with the residents. It is community service for the chorale, but we feel a blessing from these visits also,” Kok says.

In other community involvement the chorale has participated in singing with The Alabama Winds at the Alabama Theater. The admission was canned goods for The Jimmie Hale Mission.

Beyond the wider community activities of the chorale, the group has forged a tight bond with the membership.

“I think one thing that has always bound the group together is a sense of belonging to a family. At the first couple of rehearsals each year you can find us greeting each other and catching up on what has been going on. When they don’t see someone from the previous year or maybe two years, they want to know where that person is and they take it upon themselves to reach out to him/her. One time, Clarke Stallworth, a former reporter for The Birmingham News fine arts page, said Earl Clark has “a balm in his spirit that knits the group together.” I think this balm still pervades the group. Members take it upon themselves to make the group better and form friendships for a lifetime,” Kok says.

Each year members volunteer in a variety of ways to help make the program possible and serve on different committees. The membership chair has more people than she can manage that want to either bring snacks or call people that are absent. Each year donations are given by chorale members to support a scholarship that is available to a student who sings with the

group and is pursuing music in college.

“When the pandemic started and we were afraid we could not sing, a member of the group took it upon herself to work with APT to get us a television date for presenting Messiah. It meant working with an outside company to come up with clips from past presentations and knit them together to make one performance. The member worked with APT and helped me to navigate the way to get it done. Without her, the appearance on APT would not have happened. When people in the group heard about it and knew it would cost money, they went to work and found donations. Our finance committee also worked to find the money,” Kok says.

“When our accompanist had extremely serious surgery this summer, members got in touch with him and were there to let him know we all cared. So many were praying the morning of his surgery and when the surgeon came out of the operating room he asked if the family were religious. He said he felt a real presence during surgery. The accompanist is doing well today.

“We work together every week on finding out the real intent of what Handel intended when he wrote each chorus and each solo and how he tied them together. As we sing you can feel the community of each section as they portray what Handel wrote.

The ACC Board serving. When the pandemic hit, the group could no longer sing together so they took it upon themselves to serve others. They served first responders at UAB, Hoover police stations and fire departments bringing them donuts and other treats to thank them for their service. Donations from the group have also been taken to First Light, Oak Mountain Missions, Olivia’s House, East Glen Nursing and Rehab Center and The Lovelady Center.

Above: The chorale at Bessemer First UMC in the 1990s. At right: The chorale in 1959 at Bessemer, and in 1980s. Opposite page: Earl Clark at Bessemer circa 1982.

The BHS String Quartet in 1953.

Hospitality, Magic City Style

Real

estate pros Matthew and Rebekah Gregory took their love for downtown plus what they learned from two decades restoring houses and created beautiful lofts for AirBNB visitors to the city.

Matthew and Rebekah Gregory have been in the real estate industry for over 20 years. They are passionate about this beautiful city and love the culture, community, and properties it provides.

Matthew and Rebekah always knew they wanted to own a piece of Birmingham and when they stumbled across the O’Carrs building, they fell in love. The building had three great lofts and a restaurant on street level. Soon after purchasing the building, they converted the O’Carrs restaurant into two additional lofts and began using them as short-term vacation rentals. Matthew and Rebekah are committed to providing an excellent travel experience by ensuring luxury decor, clean spaces, more than 30 amenities, and quick customer service. Since 2018 more than 700 guests have enjoyed the Gregory’s hospitality at 216 Lofts.

For more details visit www.216lofts.com

Exterior and rooftop terrace of the 216 Lofts.

Interior photographs of the lofts, which are located on 18th Street in the Theatre District.

On the Farm

How are you going to stay in the city after you see Half Mile Farm at Old Edwards in Highlands, NC?

The climb up the roadway into the North Carolina mountains is one of the most beautiful drives in the South. But it pales in comparison to the beauty of the destination, Half Mile Farm at Old Edwards in Highlands, North Carolina.

The resort is nestled in a green valley, tucked against Apple Lake and surrounded by the mountains that have made this region a top tourist destination.

Feel at home in modern farmhouse guestrooms and rustic-luxe cabins with fireplaces, stylish comfy interiors, and balconies that offer tranquil views of

the courtyard, lake and surrounding forest. HalfMile Farm is a peaceful getaway where you can relax and recharge in the beautiful Blue Ridge.

Half-Mile Farm is a mountain retreat, part of the Old Edwards hospitality group in Highlands. Tracing its origins back to the late 19th century when it was under various owners as a working farm, the property later became a boarding house, summer home and finally an inn in the early 2000s. Old Edwards purchased the property in 2015 and created Half-Mile Farm as it is today.

Farm-fresh food starts each day

Half-Mile farm with the included chef-prepared breakfast made from ingredients and produce from the gardens. Served from 8 to 10:30 daily. Celebrate each day’s end complimentary hors d’oeuvres in Main House from 5 - 6 p.m. each evening. Enjoy a full bar and light bites weekly specials menu in J. Henry Farmhouse Tavern with expansive views

of the property. Open from noon to 10 p.m. daily.

Arranged around a lovely courtyard, Half-Mile Farm features comfortable luxury rooms with fireplaces, stylish comfy interiors, and balconies that offer tranquil views of the courtyard, lake or surrounding forest. On the outer edge of the property are rustic-luxe cabins that offer a one of a kind experience. Those cabins from historic locations in

the South were carefully dismantled, relocated and reconstructed into the three luxury cabins that exist today.

A stay in this Blue Ridge mountainscape features breathtaking mountain vistas, spectacular waterfalls and serene forests. Explore mountain trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Reconnect with nature on 14 acres of tranquil fields, forest and streams surrounding Half-Mile Farm. Canoe along the 6-acre lake or meander through nature trails along a trickling stream. Discover clear lakes and rivers for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and whitewater rafting.

Along Main Street in Highlands you’ll find charming shops, great restaurants, galleries, and more. A short drive from Half-Mile Farm experience everything Highlands has to offer, including the restaurants, lounges and spa at Old Edwards Inn in the center of town.

Half Mile Farm aerial view.

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OUR PEOPLE MAKE US GREAT

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Ashley Peinhardt’s practice is concentrated in the areas of medical malpractice and she has a particular interest in birth trauma litigation. She loves being able to be an advocate and a voice for families and children who have been victims of medical negligence.Whether she is working on a class action, commercial, or personal injury case, Tempe Smith applies the same drive and determination to each case she works on. She offers open communication and compassionate guidance for all of her clients. No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

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Holly

Bradley

Alyson Hood is a partner at The Bloomston Firm, a criminal defense and family law firm. She primarily works on family law cases, but she has also handled other federal and state civil litigations. Alyson currently serves as Chair of the Alabama Family Law Section, member Birmingham Bar Association, Alabama State Bar and American Bar Association Family Law Section. She has won awards from Super Lawyers, Birmingham Business Journal, U.S. News & World Report, and B-metro.

Attorneys

Hosford

One Federal Place, 1819 5th Avenue N

Birmingham, AL 35203 205-521-8000 www.bradley.com

Maridi Huggins

Maridi Huggins Law

Ashley Hugunine Baker Donelson

Stephanie Hunter

Hunter Law Firm, PC

Elizabeth Huntley Lightfoot, Franklin & White

Alyson M. Hood

The Bloomston Firm

1914 Fourth Ave. N., Suite 100, Birmingham AL 35203 (205) 212-9700 • www.thebloomstonfirm.com

Elizabeth Hutchins

Dentons Sirote

2311 Highland Ave Birmingham, AL 35205 (205) 930-5100 www.dentons.com

Angie

H. Ingram

Angie Ingram Law

Laura Jackman Wallace Jordan Ratliff & Brandt

Heather A. Jamison Burr Forman LLP

Benita Jenkins

The Law Office of Benita Jenkins

Going Above and Beyond in Birmingham.

Jones

Walker LLP proudly salutes partners Kelly Rushin Lewis and Kary Bryant Wolfe on being honored as B-Metro Magazine’s 2022 “Top Women Attorneys.” We congratulate Kelly and Kary, and all of the honorees for their achievements and contributions. Attorney Advertising. No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other attorneys.

William W. Horton Birmingham Office Head whorton@joneswalker.com

Alyson Hood Ext Listing.indd 1

top Women Attorneys 2022

Nolan Byers

A boutique family law firm, Nolan Byers, PC was founded in March, 2013 with the goal of providing clients with strong support to deal with what comes next. With a combined thirty years of experience, Frances Ross Nolan and Leigh Reynolds Byers have learned that family law matters always involve both an emotional and legal process. They empower their clients to face these challenges and address the things they value most. Having seen the negative effects of cookie cutter divorce agreements and one-size-fits-all litigation, Nolan Byers provides a customized approach tailored to the specific needs, goals and interests of each individual client and in every case, they apply their experience and expertise to achieve the best possible outcomes for their clients.

200 Office Park Drive, Suite 303 Birmingham, AL 35223 • NOLANBYERS.com (205) 558-9930

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

CONGRATULATIONS

Abbott Marie Jones Butler Snow

1819 5th Ave N #1000 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 297-2200 www.butlersnow.com

Elizabeth Kanter Carr Allison

Meggie R. Krombach Carr Allison

Denise Killebrew Baker, Donelson Katie M. Kimbrell Balch & Bingham

Annette Kinderman Phelps

2001 Park Place North Birmingham, AL 35203 205-716-5200 www.phelps.com

Rachel King Vella & King

Grace L. Kipp Spotswood Sansom & Sansbury, Sammye Kok Dominick Feld Hyde, PC

Amber Ladner

Bradford Ladner, LLP

Hanna Lahr Burr Forman LLP

Jayna Partain Lamar Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C.

Rachel Lary Lightfoot Franklin & White, LLC

Kristen Larramore Waller Law

Brandy Lee

Red Mountain Law Group

The Landmark Center, Suite 600, 2100 1st Ave N Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 328-9445 redmountainlawgroup.com

Meredith Jowers Lees Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell

Heather Leonard Heather Leonard, PC

Debra Taylor Lewis Balch & Bingham

HOWEVER,

Kelly Rushin Lewis

Jones Walker 420 20th St N. Birmingham, AL 35203 205-244-5200 joneswalker.com

Margaret Loveman Butler Snow 1819 5th Ave N #1000 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 297-2200 www.butlersnow.com

Terrinell Lyons Perkins Law

Yvonne Norris Maddalena Jackson Lewis, LLP

An award-winning litigator, LaBella McCallum was recently recognized by The Best Lawyers in America as 2021 Lawyer of the Year in the field of Professional Malpractice Law Defense. LaBella’s practice focuses on medical malpractice defense, liquor and premise liability, aviation, coverage and other general insurance defense work. Practical experience, passion and integrity are at the heart of her work.

LaBella S. McCallum

top Women Attorneys 2022

Melinda Mathews

Dentons Sirote

2311 Highland Ave Birmingham, AL 35205 (205) 930-5100 www.dentons.com

Deborah A. Mattison Wiggins Childs Quinn & Pantazis, LLC

Diane Maughan

Phelps

McCallum, Hoaglund & McCallum, LLP 905 Montgomery Hwy. Suite 201, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 (205) 824-7767 • www.mhmfirm.com • lsm@mhmfirm.com

Meredith Maitrejean

Farris, Riley & Pitt

2001 Park Place North Birmingham, AL 35203 205-716-5200 www.phelps.com/

Jane Mauzy

Marsh Rickard & Bryan, PC

800 Shades Creek Pkwy Suite 600-D Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 879-1981 www.mrblaw.com

McCallum Ext Listing.indd 1 9/30/22 1:37 PM

top Women Attorneys 2022

505 20th St N #1700 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 407-1808 frplegal.com

Hope Marshall

White Arnold & Dowd, P.C 2025 3rd Ave N #500 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 323-1888 www.whitearnolddowd.com

April McKenzie Mason Burr Forman LLP

Ellen T. Mathews Burr Forman LLP

Labella McCallum

McCallum, Hoaglund & McCallum, LLP

905 Montgomery Hwy Suite 201 Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 (205) 824-7767 mhmfirm.com

Jennifer McGahey

Bradley

One Federal Place, 1819 5th Avenue N Birmingham, AL 35203 205-521-8000 www.bradley.com

Congratulations to All B-Metro Top Women Attorneys

top Women Attorneys 2022

Be On Your Kid’s Side

Anyone who experienced divorce as a child can tell you why it’s important to make very intentional decisions about how you handle one as an adult with some control over the situation. Because children aren’t children forever: They’ll be adults even longer, and someday, they will see all they experienced as their family situation changed from an adult perspective. Sometimes children are used as pawns in a divorce, but they also often find themselves having to grow up too fast to manage the adult issues their parents intentionally or unintentionally involve them in during their formative years. It’s unfortunate, and the negative effects can reach well into their adult lives and relationships. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Top Women Attorneys Sandi Gregory and Heather Fann know well the depth of love of a parent for a child, and are committed to helping you keep focused on not only the childhoods and more immediate needs of those who are depending on you, but also planning for their adult lives—from healthy and thoughtful decision-making about their home, academic, and social lives to financial planning to ensure they have as many options as possible as they begin making their own choices. Gregory and Fann know that the peace of mind and more secure future you acquire in a maturely handled family law matter—and the expense, delay, and distress you avoid—is the same peace and security you want for your children as they grow into adults. Gregory Fann’s lawyers are experienced, capable litigators who also stave off and minimize litigation and court intervention where it isn’t necessary—employing modern solutions

such as utilization of mental health professionals, carefully timed and strategic negotiation including mediation, and the team approach of collaborative law wherever possible to ease the transition to your next stage. And navigating those possibilities carefully can make all the difference for your own future and the futures you dream of for your most beloved.

201 Office Park Drive, Suite 320 Birmingham, AL 35223 205-729-6685 • www.gregoryfann.com

Sandi Gregory and Heather Fann.

top Women Attorneys 2022

Charity M. Davis was born in Birmingham and has always been a person of integrity and high moral standards. Charity is honored to be featured in B-Metro’s Top Women Attorneys 2022 and was also named as a Rising Star for Super Lawyers in 2017 and 2018, and awarded Best of the Birmingham Bar by the Birmingham Business Journal. Attorney Davis has received a certificate as Mediator through American Arbitration Association. She is determined and dedicated to giving her clients excellent legal services.

PRACTICE AREAS: Divorce, Child Custody, Rule Nisi Petition, Personal Injury, Employment Law

LAW OFFICE OF GILCHRIST DAVIS,LLC

The Financial Center, 505 20th Street North, Suite 815 Birmingham, AL 35203 205-581-8812 • gilchristdavis.com

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

Yawanna McDonald

Campbell Partners

505 20th St N Suite 1600 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 224-0750 www.campbellpartnerslaw.com Gina McDonald Gina H. McDonald & Associates, Angie Godwin McEwen Butler Snow

1819 5th Ave N #1000 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 297-2200 www.butlersnow.com

Candis McGowan

Wiggins Childs Quinn & Pantazis, Ann McMahan Simpson, McMahan, Glick & Burford PLLC

Calle Mendenhall

Farris Riley & Pitt 505 20th St N #1700 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 407-1808 frplegal.com

Gail L. Mills Burr Forman LLP

Carly Miller Bradley

One Federal Place, 1819 5th Avenue N Birmingham, AL 35203 205-521-8000 www.bradley.com

Carole G. Miller Bressler, Amery & Ross

Shannon Miller Jackson Lewis, LLP

Tracy Miller Hand Arendall, LLC

Laura Montgomery Lee Crittenden Partners

Jamie Moore

Bradley

One Federal Place, 1819 5th Avenue N Birmingham, AL 35203 205-521-8000 www.bradley.com

Rachel J Moore Christian & Small, LLP

Anne Moses Moses & Moses, PC

Sylvion Moss

Red Mountain Law Group 2100 1st Ave N Suite 600, Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 328-9445 redmountainlawgroup.com

Laura W. Murphy Burr Forman LLP

Diane Murray Tiffany & Bosco, P.A.

Amy Myers Tedrow & Myers Immigration Law Group

Emily Nelson Morris, Haynes, Wheeles, Knowles & Nelson LLP

Sybil Vogtle Newton Starnes Davis Florie, LLP

Brooke Everley Nicholson

Red Mountain Law Group

The Landmark Center, 2100 1st Ave N Suite 600 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 328-9445 redmountainlawgroup.com

Brooke M. Nixon Constangy Brooks Smith & Prophete, LLP

Frances Nolan Nolan Byers, PC 200 Office Park Dr Suite 303 Birmingham, AL 35223 (205) 558-9930 nolanbyers.com

Lynne Stephens O’Neal Leitman Siegal & Payne, PC

Amber Osborne Wettermark Keith

Lana Olson Lightfoot, Franklin & White

Kathryn J. Ottensmeyer Maynard Cooper Gale

Virginia Patterson

Bradley

One Federal Place, 1819 5th Avenue N Birmingham, AL 35203 205-521-8000 www.bradley.com

Julie Pearce

Gaines Gault Hendrix, PC

Laura Peck

Lightfoot Franklin & White, LLC

Candace Peeples

Peeples Law 2956 Rhodes Cir S Birmingham, AL 35205 (205) 403-5577 peepleslaw.com

Ashley Reitz Peinhardt

Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP 2025 3rd Ave N Suite 800 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 549-8336 www.hwnn.com

Congratulations

2001 Park Place North Birmingham, AL phelps.com

The Law Office of Albert Moore

The Law Office of Betina Jenkins, LLC

Gordn, Dana & Gilmore LLC

Gregory Fann, LLC

J Hardy Family Law

Kirk Drennan, PC

Pooja Chawla, PC

The Rose Law Firm, LLC

Callaway Smith, LLC

Nolan Byers, PC

George Morris, Partner

Carolyn Duncan, Diane Maughan and Annette Kinderman recognized as 2022 Top Women Attorneys for their career and community accomplishments.

CANDACE B. PEEPLES HELPING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF DIVORCE

Candi Peeples formed PEEPLES LAW as a boutiquestyled practice, limited to Matrimonial and Family Law, because helping families with these difficult issues is what she loves. “We could be practicing other types of law, but we do this because we love it. With us, it’s not a slogan—it’s just the truth,” Candi tells us. Candi is joined in the practice by Julia Williams, who has extensive experience litigating cases at the trial court level in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama, as well as experience at the appellate court level. An associate at the firm, Lauren Lock, started working at Peeples Law in 2015 as a law clerk, and then was hired on as an Associate Attorney when she passed the bar in October 2017.

A core belief within the firm is that every case has the potential to settle out of court. “We make it a priority to exhaust all reasonable options for settlement, but we are both absolutely ready for trial when that is what is best for our clients,” Candi says. “While a trial may be difficult for a client, we love to try cases—for us, it is one of the most fulfilling parts of our job; we see all the pieces of our team’s hard work come together.” Candi receives high praise from clients for her commitment to Matrimonial and Family Law and she is proud to be of service to the community. Candi says, “We feel that by keeping in mind that we are here to be of service to our clients, we can deliver our very best for them.” The AV-rated firm is proud to boast that they have been featured in distinguished publications, such as Vanity Fair, for their excellence in Family Law.

Candi is a graduate of The University of Georgia and the Cumberland School of Law, with honors. She is a certified domestic and appellate mediator, and is the publisher of the Birmingham Matrimonial and Family Law Newsletter. She has been named in the 2016 “Best of Birmingham” list by Birmingham Magazine, and named by the Birmingham Business Journal as one of the “Top 40 Under 40.” She has consistently been named a Top Lawyer by B-Metro magazine. She is the Past Chair of the Family Law Section of the America Bar Association (ABA), a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), and a Certified Family Law Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Candi is married to Lloyd Peeples and lives in Vestavia with their two children, Lily and Chandler.

Lauren Lock, Candi Peeples and Julia Williams.

Kathryn Perreault

Bressler, Amery & Ross

Beth Pitman

Waller Law

Denise Pomeroy

Dominick Feld Hyde, PC

Katie T. Powell

Butler Snow

1819 5th Ave N #1000

Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 297-2200 www.butlersnow.com

L.P. Powell

The Rose Law Firm LLC

Andrea Powers Baker Donelson

Jessica Powers

Powers Injury Law

Taylor A. Pruett

Cory Watson Attorneys

Rebecca Pritchett

Pritchett Environmental & Property Law, LLC

Fran Quarles

Quarles Law Firm, LLC

Sandra Reiss

The Reiss Firm, LLC

Lynn Reynolds Baker, Donelson

Danielle N. Roberts

Butler Snow

1819 5th Ave N #1000 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 297-2200 www.butlersnow.com

Brandy Robertson Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC

Jennifer Rose

The Rose Law Firm, LLC

Ginny Rutledge Tiffany & Bosco, P.A.

Nicole Saia

Crittenden Partners

Karen Salter Salter Ferguson, LLC

Mary Samuels Balch & Bingham

Miriam Biffle Santo

Butler Snow

1819 5th Ave N #1000 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 297-2200 butlersnow.com

Jennifer Devereaux Segers Huie

Anne Marie Seibel Bradley

One Federal Place, 1819 5th Avenue N Birmingham, AL 35203 205-521-8000 www.bradley.com

Melinda Eubanks Sellers Burr Forman LLP

Dawn Helms Sharff

Bradley

One Federal Place, 1819 5th Avenue N Birmingham, AL 35203 205-521-8000 www.bradley.com

Elizabeth Shaw Elizabeth Shaw Attorney at Law

Judy Bateman Shepura Dominick Feld Hyde

Lauren Shine Shine Law Firm

Elizabeth B. Shirle Burr Forman LLP

Tanya Shunnara

Dentons Sirote

2311 Highland Ave Birmingham, AL 35205 (205) 930-5100 www.dentons.com

Jessica Housch Silinsky Carr Allison

Susan Silvernail Marsh Rickard & Bryan, PC 800 Shades Creek Pkwy Suite 600-D Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 879-1981 www.mrblaw.com

Lindsey Simmons King Simmons, PC

Jeanie Sleadd Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC

Angela Cameron Smith Burr & Forman, LLP

Deborah Alley Smith Christian & Small, LLP

Jennifer Smith

Wiggins Childs Pantazis Fisher & Goldfarb, LLC

Pamela Payne Smith Balch & Bingham

Tammy Smith Wettermark Keith

top Women

Attorneys

2022

Wendy has been helping families in custody and divorce cases for over 13 years. She worked as a paralegal for 25 years prior to starting her own practice in 2007. She is a graduate of UAB and Birmingham School of Law. Wendy is a member of the Shelby County Bar Association and the Birmingham Bar Association. She was named in the “Top Women Attorneys” for 2015 and 2016. She is the recipient of the Client Choice Awards for AVVO and was selected in B-Metro Magazine’s Top Lawyers in 2017 and 2022. Her specialties include family law, criminal law, wills, trusts and automobile accidents.

WENDY HARTLEY GREGERSON, ATTORNEY

5501 Highway 280 Suite 301, Jared Square Birmingham, AL 35242 (205) 980-5550

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

WENDY HARTLEY GREGERSON

top Women Attorneys 2022

Recognized on the Mid-South Super Lawyers Rising Star List in 2017, 2018 and 2019, Pooja is a solo practitioner with a focus on Family, Criminal, Appellate law and Mediation. She serves as chair of the New Lawyer Mentoring Program with the Birmingham Bar Association and is a member of the National Legal Mentoring Consortium committed to developing better strategies for mentoring young attorneys. A graduate of many state and local leadership programs, Pooja is the past President of the Legal Aid Society of Birmingham Board of Trustees. She received her J.D. from Birmingham School of Law in 2009. Pooja is a native of New Delhi, India and has resided in Birmingham, Alabama for over 20 years.

Pooja has been recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys 2022 by B-Metro. Pooja has also earned recognition by her peers and was recognized by B-Metro Magazine as one of Birmingham’s Top Women Attorneys for five years in a row - 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. She was further recognized by B-Metro as Top Flight Attorneys for 2019 and has been recognized as Top Birmingham Attorneys 2020 by Birmingham Magazine. In 2021, Pooja was elected and serves on the Executive Committee of the Birmingham Bar Association.

Pooja Chawla, P.C.

120 19th Street North, Suite 2015

Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 757-7287

Facebook: @attorneychawla Twitter: @Itweetpc LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/pooja-chawla-esquire

Tempe Smith Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP

2025 3rd Ave N Suite 800 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 549-8336 www.hwnn.com

Natasha Snow Snow & Nichols LLC

Lauren M. Snyder Butler Snow

1819 5th Ave N #1000 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 297-2200 www.butlersnow.com

Sarah Stokes

Southern Environmental Law Center

Sharon Stuart Christian & Small, LLP Ronnie F. Stuckey The Rose Law Firm LLC

Jennifer Fox Swain Littler Mendelson, PC Kristin Waters Sullivan Waters Sulivan

Malia Tarrt

Farris Riley & Pitt 505 20th St N #1700 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 407-1808 frplegal.com

Klari Tedrow Tedrow & Myers Immigration Law Group

Sarah Payne Thomson Leitman Siegal & Payne, PC

Martha Thompson Balch & Bingham LLP

Mary Thompson Parnell Thompson LLC

Tracy Thompson Bradley

One Federal Place, 1819 5th Avenue N Birmingham, AL 35203 205-521-8000 www.bradley.com

Dana Latham Thrasher Constangy Brooks Smith & Prophete, LLP

Emily Tidmore Spotswood Sansom & Sansbury, LLC

Christina Andreen Tidwell Southern Environmental Law Center

Temple Trueblood

Wiggins Childs Quinn & Pantazis, LLC

Sara Turner Baker, Donelson

Mallory Ulmer

Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys 2900 1st Ave S. Birmingham, AL 35233 (800) 229-7989 shunnarah.com

Tracy Owen Vella Vella & King

India Vincent Burr Forman LLP

Summer Walker Summer G. Walker, PC

Jennifer Wales Beddow, Erben & Bowen PA

Caroline D. Walker

Butler Snow 1819 5th Ave N #1000 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 297-2200 www.butlersnow.com

Jeannie Bugg Walston Webster Henry

Crystal H. Walls Dentons Sirote

2311 Highland Ave Birmingham, AL 35205 (205) 930-5100 www.dentons.com

Laura Washburn

Bradley

One Federal Place, 1819 5th Avenue N Birmingham, AL 35203 205-521-8000 www.bradley.com

Kristen Peters Watson Burr Forman LLP

Leila Watson Cory Watson Attorneys

Latanishia Watters Ken Perry Law Firm, LLC

Stephanie Weems Massey Stotser & Nichols, PC

Andrea Greene Wells Bressler, Amery & Ross

Kimberly West Wallace Jordan Ratliff & Brandt, LLC

Amy Jordan Wilkes Burr Forman LLP

top Women Attorneys 2022

Cynthia Wilkinson Wilkinson Law Firm PC

Callie Sullins Whatley Burr Forman LLP

Amber Whillock Starnes Davis Florie, LLP

Kay Wilburn Dominick Feld Hyde

Sara Williams

Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys 2900 1st Ave S. Birmingham, AL 35233 (800) 229-7989 shunnarah.com

Amanda Williamson Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC

Kay Bryant Wolfe Jones Walker 420 20th St N. Birmingham, AL 35203 205-244-5200 joneswalker.com

Alex Terry Wood Starnes Davis Florie, LLP

Honora McKeown Gathings is a founding partner of Gathings Law. She believes in taking a personal interest in all her clients and believes that building a relationship is an important part of building a case. She has been involved in complex litigation, including business tort litigation, toxic, environmental, and pharmaceutical tort litigation, serious personal injury, consumer class actions, products liability, fraud, and international law. Gathings has been voted AV Peer Review Rated, reaching the height of professional excellence. She has been voted by her peers as an Alabama Super Lawyer and a Mid-South Super Lawyer. She has also been recognized as one of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators’ and one of Birmingham Biz Magazine’s Top Lawyers.

GATHINGS LAW

2140 11th Ave S Suite 210 Birmingham, AL 35205 (205) 322-1201 • gathingslaw.com

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

Leslie Wright Rubio Law Firm

Paige Yarbrough Crittenden Partners

Breanna Harris Young Starnes Davis Florie, LLP

Liz Young Dummier Young LLC

Anne Yuengert

Bradley

One Federal Place, 1819 5th Avenue N Birmingham, AL 35203 205-521-8000 www.bradley.com

Jessica Zorn

Farris, Riley & Pitt 505 20th St N #1700 Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 407-1808 frplegal.com

Elizabeth Zwiebel The Zwiebel Law Firm, LLC

Melissa Zwilling Carr Allison

top Women Attorneys 2022

Morgan & Morgan is America’s largest personal injury law firm and, with an office in the heart of downtown Birmingham, we offer our clients big firm resources with a small firm feel. Victoria Dye and Lisa Bailey are members of the Birmingham litigation team with over 20 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the State of Alabama. Throughout their careers, Victoria and Lisa have achieved success for their clients in and out of the courtroom in a wide variety of matters, including trucking accidents, boating accident, auto accidents, and wrongful death claims. Both Victoria and Lisa actively direct each phase of their cases from initial investigation to conclusion— including settlement, trial, or appeals—and they are dedicated and driven to fight for success on behalf of every client in every case they pursue. Since 2019, Morgan & Morgan has proudly served clients in and around the Birmingham community. To learn more or contact our firm, please visit our website: www.forthepeople.com/birmingham.

Mrgan & Morgan

2317 3rd Ave. N, Suite 102, Birmingham, AL 35203 • (205) 517-6900 www.forthepeople.com/birmingham

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

From left: Victoria Dye and Lisa Bailey.

Top women attorneys 2022 button.indd 1

Top Women Attorneys Victoria Dye and Lisa Bailey

Jessie Hardy has been helping clients with family law and divorce related issues for more than a decade, she has practiced law in Alabama and Florida since 2010. She is passionate about domestic law and advocating for families. Her experience has been focused on contested and uncontested divorces, property division, asset valuation and/or dissipation, alimony, child support, child custody, visitation, paternity, dependency, post-divorce modification, contempt, and other family law issues.

She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology at Florida State University in 2006 and received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2010.

Jessie is a member of the State of Florida Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar Association, Birmingham Bar Association, American Bar Association, as well as the Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Project, Junior League of Birmingham, and serves as a Second Saturday Attorney Presenter. She is also active in the Family Law Sections of the American and Alabama State Bar Associations and currently serves as the Chair of the Alabama State Bar Family Law Section.

Over 50 Top 50

Dear Top 50 Over 50 Recipients and Guests

Welcome to our seventh annual Top 50 Over 50 Awards ceremony! On behalf of Positive Maturity’s Board of Directors, the Top 50 Over 50 Committee co-chaired by Priscilla McWilliams and Chris White, and our team here at PM, we extend our congratulations to the class of 2022. We are excited to recognize these individuals for their lifetime achievements and civic contributions to central Alabama. In 2014, Positive Maturity created the Top 50 Over 50 award to show that while growing older is unavoidable, growing up is optional. Anyone can grow older; it doesn’t take much talent or effort. The goal in life is to grow up. This is accomplished by finding opportunities for change, becoming a catalyst in this world, and leaving it with no regrets.

We want to thank our sponsors: American Cast Iron Pipe Company and our named sponsor, Regions Bank. Special thanks to B-metro for their continued partnership, Ann Marie Todd, for her photography talent, and Norton’s Florist. We appreciate their support in making this event successful.

Since 1972, Positive Maturity has been the fabric of the aging communities in Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, and Walker Counties. We are a proud partner of the United Way of Central Alabama and a sponsor for AmeriCorps Senior Corps programs. Our mission is to positively enhance the lives of older adults through social services and civic engagement. Programs include the Retired and Senior Volunteers, Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, Shepherd Center at Don Hawkins and Geriatric Information and Referral. Thank you again for supporting tonight’s event, and we hope to see you again next year! —Penny Kakoliris, Executive Director, Positive Maturity, Inc.

IRON PIPE COMPANY

www.american-usa.com

AMERICAN is a proud supporter of Positive Maturity and its efforts to benefit seniors in our surrounding communities.

CAST

Mark Beddingfield

Mark Beddingfield is CEO for the Alabama and Mississippi Region of the American Red Cross. Since beginning his career with the organization in 1996, he has served in a variety of roles including CEO of the Alabama Biomedical Region. He serves as a board member for the Alabama Organ Center, the UAB Advisory Council and the Alabama Advisory Committee of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. The latter brings together more than 70 business, faith, nonprofit and political leaders to promote development and diplomacy through international leadership. He is an alum of Project Corporate Leadership, Leadership Shelby County and Leadership Birmingham. Mark and his wife Susan are members of the Tocqueville Society of Central Alabama.

Lisa Bright

Cecile “Buddy” Betros

Dr. Betros’ 40-year career is highlighted by his delivery of clinical, educational and consulting services in the areas of speech pathology, home health care and public speaking. He started a private rehabilitation agency—the first and largest in Alabama at the time—that contracted with more than 17 home care agencies to provide speech, physical and occupational therapy. Dr. Betros has eight published texts and more than 16 articles in professional journals. He taught as adjunct faculty for 20 years and finished his teaching career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He completed a master’s degree in speech-language pathology at the University of Montevallo and a doctorate in health and human services at Columbia Pacific University.

Lisa Bright was elected to the Trussville City Council in 2020. In addition to serving the city of Trussville, Lisa is the CEO of the Will Bright Foundation, a nonprofit created after the loss of her son to a heroin overdose. It is the largest transitional living facility in the state. Lisa also serves as an advocate in Washington, D.C., for Voices for NonOpioid Choices and is a sought-after speaker in this field. Governor Kay Ivey appointed her to the State of Alabama Opioid Task Force for Treatment and Recovery, and she serves on several boards, including the Alabama Association of Christian Recovery Ministries. She is a Fellow of the Appalachian Regional Commission Leadership Institute. She and her husband Bill have two daughters and four grandchildren.

Reverend Cedric Brown

An ordained minister and founding pastor of Destiny Covenant Church, the Rev. Brown is a community leader who organized food distribution to residents of Tarrant and surrounding areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s a member of the Palmerdale Fire District Board and works with Better Basics Inc. in community garden maintenance and as an enthusiastic volunteer wherever there is a need. In 2017 he was elected to serve as president of the Tarrant Ministerial Board, a group representing more than 20 churches. Brown is a proud veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve who served in Operation Desert Storm/ Desert Shield. He is also retired from an accomplished career as an air traffic control specialist for the Federal Aviation Agency.

Jorge Castro

Jorge Castro received his degree in Business Administration in Mexico from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores De Monterrey. Jorge worked in the banking industry and for several corporations before moving to Alabama in 2000. He is now the co-owner and general manager of Sol Y Luna Restaurant, opened by his brother, Guillermo Castro in 1998. In 2003, Jorge opened the Tortilla Grill. In addition to his love of food, Jorge is a strong advocate in his community. He is an active member of The Birmingham Originals and The Bare Hands Gallery’s Board of Directors and has helped in organizing and participating in events such as “Breaking Bread” and Dia de Los Muertos Festival, and the TacoFest. In 2012, Jorge created the “Food Truck Coalition.” A volunteer for UAB (Hoover Met) Covid vaccine site in 2021, he continues to impact his community on many levels. Jorge lives in Irondale with his wife Aimee and their two dogs, Nola and Luna. When not serving his community through his restaurants and volunteerism, Jorge enjoys participating in sports.

Mayor Frank Brocato

Sworn in as the 10th mayor of Hoover in November 2016, retired Hoover Fire Marshal, Frank Brocato won the election without a runoff. Over the last four years, he has worked hard to bring in economic development, increase funding for education, and improve safety and quality of life for every citizen. He delivered the first-ever comprehensive plan, which has led to many accomplishments. A current focus is recruiting high-quality businesses involved with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Mayor Brocato embraces the diversity of Hoover and believes the community is stronger when functioning as one. He and his wife Frances have been married 45 years. They have three children and nine grandchildren.

Mayor Buddy Choat

Mayor Buddy Choat is serving his second-term as Mayor of Trussville, having been first elected to office in 2016. He was unopposed in the 2020 election. He is currently serving as the President of the Jefferson County Mayors Association after serving as Vice President in 2019-2020, and also serving as President of the Eastern Jefferson County Mayors Association.

Mayor Choat’s commitment to providing quality services, financial support for public safety, growing programs for our parks and library, and the continued support of our city schools led to Trussville being named as 2019 National Top Performer in “Top 10% of all local governments in the US for the overall quality of value of services provided to residents.”

Mayor Choat and his wife of 48 years, Ginny, have three married adult children and six grandsons. After living in Trussville for almost 30 years and serving two terms on the city council, Mayor Choat understands the needs of his city.

Tom Cosby

Tony Cooper

Tony Cooper is still touching lives. He was executive director of The Jimmie Hale Mission for almost 30 years. During that time, “God blessed, and we began to grow,” he says. Starting with one facility, a men’s shelter, the Mission over time expanded to include Royal Pines Recovery Center, Jessie’s Place for women and children, Stewart Learning Center and numerous Bargain Center thrift stores. In addition, the Men’s Center was relocated to a new campus, and Discovery Clubs were added. Although retired from the Mission, Tony continues to serve on several nonprofit committees and boards. He and Dale, his wife of 52 years, have two grown sons, Anthony and Ben, and four grandchildren.

Historic preservationist, fundraiser and relentless Birmingham booster Tom Cosby worked for the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (now Birmingham Business Alliance) for 35 years. In addition to being their fundraiser, he played important roles saving Rickwood Field and Vulcan, and was involved in numerous projects such as the funding of Corridor X/I-22, the recruitment of nonstop flights to Birmingham and Olympic soccer in 1996. Since retiring from the Chamber, he’s raised money for innumerable projects, including the Lyric Theatre, Birmingham Landmarks and Birmingham’s Veterans Day Parade. Among his current interests are UAB football and bringing the Appalachian Trail to Alabama. Tom says he lives by the words of the late Fred Sington: “I’m a Birmingham man. If it’s good for Birmingham, I’m for it.”

Dr. Lawrence “Larry” DeLucas

As a NASA payload specialist in 1992, astronaut DeLucas flew with the Space Shuttle Columbia crew for STS-50, the United States Microgravity Laboratory-1 Spacelab mission. At mission conclusion, he had traveled more than 5.7 million miles and had logged more than 331 hours in space. From 1994-1995, he served as chief scientist for the International Space Station at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C., focusing on protein crystallography. This former UAB faculty member completed five degrees and served in numerous director roles. Currently he is vice president of operations for Predictive Oncology Inc. and president of Soluble Biotech Inc. An author, inventor and patent holder, Dr. DeLucas inspires the public and students at all levels with his STEM presentations.

Doug DeMedicis

Doug DeMedicis enjoys giving back to his community. He is the Southeastern Regional Manager for Mariah Foods, distributing bacons, hams, smoked sausage, and pork loins for food distribution centers and grocery stores in the Eastern, Midwestern, and Southern states. Doug has 43 years of experience in the food service industry. In his free time, he serves on several boards throughout the Birmingham area: YMCA, Trussville YMCA, and Alzheimers of Central Alabama. Doug also volunteers for the Mike Slive Foundation, Brother Bryan Mission, Jimmie Hale Mission, Save-A-Life, Firehouse Ministries, Better Basic, Samaritan’s Purse, and Eastern Women’s Committee of Fifty. Doug is instrumental in helping nonprofits grow and reach more people.

Kate DeWitt Darden

Kate’s talents have built her success across several industries. Currently a sales executive for Stericycle Communications Solutions, she helps healthcare providers improve patient engagement. As a member of Brookwood Baptist Health executive management, she drove growth through consumer engagement and brand management. She began her career in advertising sales for a Time Inc. subsidiary, worked her way into management and led marketing for national accounts such as Cooking Light and Health. As an entrepreneur, she co-founded Darden Tatum, a full-service branding firm. Darden is a graduate of Leadership Birmingham (2018), FBI Citizens Academy (2016) and Momentum (2009). She’s married to David and is mom to Griffin, Ava and family mascot Skylar, a rescue dog.

Alex Dudchock

Alex devoted three decades of his life in service to Shelby County, almost 27 of them as county manager (1993 to 2020). In that role he wore many hats, managing the daily operations of diverse departments and services. In 2021, the Shelby County Commission recognized him for his steadfast leadership and visionary planning. They also named the County Services building in his honor. He has served on numerous boards in Central Alabama and, although retired, continues to serve others in Shelby County. The Graysville native and Auburn University graduate previously held positions with Russell Corporation and BL Harbert International. He and his wife of 36 years, Natalie, raised three sons in Shelby County: Davis, Blake (deceased) and Russell.

Dr. Mona Fouad

Carolyn Fortner

Under Carolyn’s leadership as executive director of the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging, also known as M4A, the agency has experienced significant growth in all programs. M4A empowers older adults and individuals with disabilities to be self-advocates, live independently and enjoy their highest quality of life. Through all the growth and changes, Carolyn says she is most proud of the way M4A team members care about each other and the people they serve. She’s a member of the Statewide Independent Living Council, the Alabama Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and the Southeast Association of Area Agencies on Aging. She is the proud wife of Dale Price, stepmom of Alex and Jacob Price, and grandmother of Dawson.

Mona Fouad, M.D., M.P.H., is Professor of Medicine, director of the Division of Preventive Medicine, and senior associate dean for Diversity and Inclusion in the School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Recognized nationally as a leader in health disparities, she was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2017 and selected as the UAB 2018 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer for advancing the frontiers of science to education, research and public service. She has contributed to the science of health disparities through major national studies and has been principal investigator on numerous federally funded projects totaling more than $106 million.

Beth Franklin

Since 1996, Hand in Paw has brought comfort and joy to people in need through animal-assisted therapy. The founder and visionary behind that legacy is Beth Franklin. Today, more than 140 professionally trained volunteers carry out their mission to improve people’s lives in more than 75 facilities throughout North Central Alabama and Tuscaloosa. From Hand in Paw’s earliest days as a 501(c)(3) organization, Franklin shared a vision of excellence, and great attention was paid to the training and evaluation of all volunteers and their animal partners. Hand in Paw is now a nationally recognized leader in the animal-assisted therapy field. The organization’s volunteers make thousands of visits each year, helping countless children with special needs, at-risk youth, struggling students, people with chronic and terminal illnesses, and many others.

Rev. Dr. Jane Geiger, D.Min

Rev. Dr. Jane Geiger’s passions for her counseling clients to “Mine their own gold” for over 31 years has been her greatest joy. Having founded Grace Ministries, Inc. on the Southside of Birmingham, serving all people, her mantra is “GRACE HAPPENS,” and she began serving the community as a counselor, minister, and author in 1991.

An innovative entrepreneur – fortified by her education from the University of Alabama’s College of Commerce and Business Administration – Jane has founded and pioneered dozens of successful efforts throughout the last 20 years. This experience makes Jane a dependable guide for CEOs, CFOs, pastors, managers, visionaries and leaders in industry who have sought her leadership as an executive coach.

Charles Ghigna

Charles Ghigna, also known as Father Goose®, is author of more than 100 books from Disney, Random House, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, and other notable publishers. He has written more than 5,000 poems for children and adults that appear in anthologies, textbooks, newspapers, and magazines. Mr. Ghigna, a Queens, New York native and Florida Atlantic University graduate, served as poet-in-residence and chair of creative writing at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, subsequently working as an instructor of creative writing at Samford University, poetry editor of English Journal for the National Council of Teachers of English, and a nationally-syndicated feature writer for Tribune Media Services.

Gerald G. Ginwright

Gerald G. Ginwright is founder and CEO of Mainstream Financial Group with over 30 years of experience in the insurance services industry. As a retirement consultant, Mr. Ginwright assists individuals, families, and business owners in planning for financial success. He is also president and founder of 2knowmoney, a national non-profit, education speakers’ bureau. Mr. Ginwright conducts financial literacy workshops throughout Alabama for federal employees and groups, including the Alabama Education Retirees Association; the Alabama Department of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax Division; the city of Huntsville; and the city of Birmingham.

Jay Grogan

An insurance provider who serves clients throughout the United States. Mr. Grogan has enjoyed 26 years of experience and growth in the insurance industry, successfully expanding the agency into five locations across central Alabama. A long-time and proud member of the Trussville chapter of Rotary International and University of Alabama FCA board member, Mr. Grogan’s greatest joy comes during family time – hunting and fishing on the farm and boating on Lake Logan Martin with his wife, three children, and two adorable grandsons.

Dr. Karen Hammond

Dr. Karen Hammond, a board-certified Nurse Practitioner and Birmingham native, is co-owner and IVF Program Director at Innovative Fertility Specialists. With three earned degrees from UAB, Dr. Hammond has been practicing in reproductive endocrinology and infertility since 1985. A recognized leader in these areas, she has lectured at local to international nursing and medical meetings, published extensively in clinical literature, and received numerous awards for clinical research, and professional services. In 2018, Dr. Hammond established a unique, Affordable IVF program to increase access to care for patients needing advanced fertility treatment, a measure that has drawn patients from across the nation who lovingly dubbed her “Fertility Fairy Godmother.”

Barbara Y. Huntley

A Wenonah High School graduate from the Grasselli Heights area of Birmingham, Barbara Huntley attended and received a degree in Elementary Education from Tuskegee Institute and a Master’s degree in Administration from Syracuse University, creating a solid foundation for her leadership position as Principal of Wenonah Elementary School. Ms. Huntley retired as Principal in 2011

Ken Kirkes

A Birmingham native, Ken Kirkes launched his Drytech business two years ago with one van and one dream. When called upon, he is a calm, reassuring professional to those experiencing trauma from a fire, water, or sewage mishap on their property. Knowing the work to remediate family properties can vary in size and service, Mr. Kirkes also knows the families being served can be overwhelmed during a crisis. He and his incredible staff are thus humbled by their dedicated customers. Boastful of his 23-year marriage to his wife Leilani, two children, and four grandchildren, this proud US Air Force veteran was honored during his military service, receiving Airman of the Month 14+ times and the honor of “One of The Most Outstanding Airman of the Air Force” at Wing/Command level in 1989.

Bobbie Knight, JD

Bobbie Knight is a woman of immense influence who is passionate about giving back by mentoring young men and women to become leaders in their communities. In August 2019, Ms. Knight was appointed the 15th president and first woman to serve at the helm of Miles College. Throughout her career, she has received many awards and accolades. She was recognized as one of the “Women Who Make a Difference” by AL.com, and presented with a Brotherhood and Sisterhood Award by the NCCJ. In March 2021, Ms. Knight was presented with the Mann Medal, one of Samford University’s highest levels of distinction.

Bethany Meadows

Bethany Meadows founded Vertical Solutions Media in 2008 to develop long-term relationships with her clients. With more than 30 years of marketing experience, Bethany worked in the insurance industry for the first part of her career and with dozens of companies in a wide variety of industries since she opened her firm.

When her own daughter was 11, Bethany adopted a family of four children, gave them structure and love and raised them to adulthood. She and her husband, Jeff, still set aside each Sunday afternoon for their large blended family of seven children and four grandchildren to get together for fellowship and fun.

Bethany is the author of Getting a Grip: Build a Custom Parenting Plan That Actually Works, hosts a weekly podcast through her online marketing coaching program, Time to Thrive, and is a licensed real estate agent, leading Team Meadows with EXP Realty.

Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo

Jeanne Marrazzo, M.D., holds the C. Glenn Cobbs Endowed Chair in Infectious Diseases and is Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UAB. The Pennsylvania native, inspired by her mother to study medicine, relocated to Birmingham in 2016. Internationally-recognized for her research and education efforts in the field of sexuallytransmitted infections and subsequent impact on women’s health, Dr. Marrazzo’s leadership in research includes oversight of the NIH Infectious Disease consortium that has studied COVID-19 vaccines. She is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and was elected to the IDSA Board of Directors in 2018. When time avails, Dr. Marrazzo enjoys hiking, cooking, and her Italian Greyhounds Ada and Luca.

Faye LaCagnina

Faye Lacagnina, an RSVP Volunteer, is a highlydecorated, 24/7 volunteer whose personal touch services provided to nursing homes, independent living facilities, veterans, the hungry, sick, homebound, and mentally-ill have earned her several awards and recognitions, including the RSVP Star and Spirit Award; Seven SEALs and Commanders Club Award; Gold & Lifetime Presidential Volunteer Service Award; and Permanent Member of the Alabama Senior Citizen Hall of Fame. This servant daily delivers her self-prepared meals to the homebound elderly, began a support group for families and victims with mental health issues, and has devoted over 20,000 hours helping the less fortunate, inspiring others to likewise serve. Ms. Lacagnina’s finds joy in being kind to and creating in others a sense of happiness and self-worth.

Patty Moon

Patty Moon is a Cleveland, Alabama wife, mother, grandand great-grandmother. At the onset of the country’s COVID-19 shutdown in March 2020, a YouTube video inspired her to post on Facebook her ability to make face masks. The post exploded. A nurse friend asked Ms. Moon to start sewing, since her staff would soon deplete their N95s. Two friends volunteered to help. A group of about 25 women quickly joined the initiative and became known as the Blount County Mask Makers. By summer, 3,000+ masks had been beautifully made and donated, thanks to the foresight and caring spirit of Ms. Moon. Monetary and other donations to the organization outgrew its need for supplies. Ms. Moon and fellow volunteers then connected with local pastors and five struggling families were identified and financially assisted.

Dr. Patti Neill

A desire to teach propelled Birmingham native Dr. Pattie Neill early on. A graduate of Auburn University and the University of Tennessee, her Education and Educational Leadership studies set the stage for an impressive employment history, including teacher, principal, director of student services, superintendent, and adjunct professor in Tennessee; Samford University professor; and, since 2012, superintendent of Trussville City Schools. With her numerous accomplishments. Dr. Neill’s awards include Auburn University Hero Award, Outstanding Administrator Award, and Principal of the Year. Trained as a mediator from the Justice Center of Atlanta and Homeland Security Crisis Planning she also chairs doctoral committees. The list goes on. A mother of one son, Dr. Neill is an avid runner and attends Trinity United Methodist Church.

Dr. Jean O’Neal

Paint Rock, Alabama native Sandra Jean O’Neal, DMD, MS, received her DMD, certificate in Fixed Prosthodontics, and MS in Dentistry from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. A faculty member since 1979, Dr. O’Neal served as Chair of the Department of Prosthodontics for 12 years prior to her 2009 retirement. Her passion for teaching and impacting lives are evidenced by her current, part-time work as a UA School of Dentistry faculty member; implant dentistry and esthetics research activities; ongoing mentoring of former students; publishing of numerous articles and abstracts; and local and international presentations of education courses. A member of several professional organizations, Dr. O’Neal is a recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching at UAB’s School of Dentistry and the Ellen Gregg Ingalls/ UAB National Alumni Society Award for Lifetime Achievement in Teaching. Dr. O’Neal is especially interested in first-generation educated and minority students, targeting populations with philanthropic contributions and scholarships. “I am grateful for the variety of rich relationships that I have enjoyed with students, patients, friends and family. Bonding experiences with these remarkable people made me who I am today.”

Melanie Perry

Melanie Perry serves as Civic Activities Coordinator with the City of Vestavia Hills as Manager of New Merkel Senior Center in Cahaba Heights. A graduate of Georgia Highlands College, she has been manager of the New Merkel Senior Center since 2015. Throughout the years, Melanie has been committed to providing services and resources for seniors that empower them with education, knowledge and fellowship. Melanie assists with the daily Meals on Wheels program from the Senior Center to the homebound in our area with the assistance of faithful volunteers. Her efforts and those of the volunteers play a critical role in providing nutritional food to those in need. Melanie helps coordinate the Annual Christmas Parade for the City of Vestavia Hills. She also assists in the planning for National Senior Citizens Day, Veterans Day Celebration, and other events that benefit and support the seniors of Vestavia Hills. Melanie believes that she has found her purpose by “making a difference in the lives of seniors.”

Chris Pfefferkorn

Dr. Patrick Pritchard

Clinton, New York native Patrick Pritchard, MD, earned his Bachelor’s and medical degrees from Georgetown University and completed a surgical internship at the National Naval Medical Center in Maryland and neurosurgical residency at Albany Medical College in New York. After active-duty service at the Naval Medical Center San Diego, Dr. Pritchard moved, with his family, to Birmingham and completed a fellowship in complex spine surgery at UAB. A UAB School of Medicine faculty member for the last 18 years, Dr. Pritchard maintains a busy neurosurgical practice and enjoys teaching medical students and residents. A U.S. Navy veteran, Dr. Pritchard and his wife Sonya are proud parents of Alexandra and Robert.

Chris Pfefferkorn is the President and CEO of the Birmingham Zoo. Pfefferkorn has over 30 years of zoological experience, which includes serving as the Senior Vice President of the Birmingham Zoo, Deputy Director of Living Collections at Oregon Zoo, General Curator at Oregon Zoo, General Curator at Ellen Trout Zoo, Zookeeper/Behavior Management Coordinator at San Antonio Zoo and Zookeeper/Horticulturist at Glen Oak Zoo. Pfefferkorn has spent over 20 years devoting himself to conservation initiatives including research on the flora and fauna of Zimbabwe, Africa. As the Executive Director of Chipangali CRI USA, he helped with the formation and attainment of non-profit status in order to support conservation and research in Zimbabwe. Recently, Pfefferkorn and a team of community leaders, cut the ribbon on the new front entrance and arrival experience at the Birmingham Zoo. This is part two of a $18.6 million capital campaign at the Zoo. Part one, Henley Park, was complete in 2017. Part three, are Cougar Crossing in the Alabama Wilds and Asian Passage. Pfefferkorn and his wife Teresa live in the Birmingham area. They have 5 children, Jesika, Cristin, Halie, Morgan and Hunter, and their one dog, Dakota.

Jim Rotch

Jim Rotch recently retired from Maynard Cooper’s Corporate, Securities and Tax Practice, where he used his 45 years of experience as a transaction lawyer and business counselor. During his career, Atty. Rotch has participated in all aspects of complicated business and finance transactions, including significant experiences with complex securities, tax, commercial lending, mining, and other issues. He has extensive experience helping businesses with issues of shareholder and/or family conflict. In 1997, Atty. Rotch authored the Birmingham Pledge, a statement of principles that has grown into an international movement to eliminate racism and prejudice…one person at a time.

ChoirBishop Richard Saad

Josephine Rucker

Josephine Rucker has dedicated her professional career to teaching and tutoring students in early childhood education and encouraging parents to support their children. She launched her career in 1978 as a kindergarten teacher in the Birmingham Public School system at Price Elementary. Ms. Rucker’s yearslong devotion to teaching impacted thousands of children beyond the classrooms at West End Academy and Hemphill Elementary. She pushed all students in her midst to excel in academics and discover their life’s purpose. Ms. Rucker is now a part-time Parent-Education facilitator for Birmingham City School’s Pre-K department. A member of Living Stone Temple Church, she enjoys her daughter, Jinosha; grandson, Tyler; and niece, Aja.

Fr. Richard Saad has provided spiritual and administrative leadership to the entire Birmingham community. He served as Pastor of St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church for 48 years. In June, 2001, he was elevated to Chorbishop. He has received many honors and awards during his career, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Apostolate of Maronites in January, 2020, and the Medal of the Patriarchate and the St. Maron Medal from the Maronite Patriarch. In addition to ministering to the spiritual needs of parishioners, he oversaw many improvements and additions to the physical facilities. He initiated the well known and highly successful St. Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival in 1999, attended by thousands from the community. He has also served in many leadership roles within the Eparchy, including serving as Vicar General for seven years before his retirement in January, 2021. He also served his community as president of the Glen Iris Neighborhood Association.

Sheriff John Samaniego

Sheriff John Samaniego was elected as the Sheriff of Shelby County in 2014 and was re-elected for a second term. He serves 212,000 citizens and is responsible for the management of the Sheriff’s Office to include a 550-plus bed jail facility and over 240 employees. He has devoted his 40-plus year career to advocating for victims’ rights and serving the officers he has been entrusted to lead. His agency was the first in the state to be named, Dementia Friendly by the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging. He also implemented a mental healthtraining curriculum for law enforcement, and helped originate the Compact 2020 initiative, focusing law enforcement efforts on identifying students involved in substance misuse to connect families with community resources. Sheriff Samaniego has also received Birmingham’s Vulcan Servant Leader Award, the Birmingham Crime Stopper of the Year Award and a formal citation awarded by the US Attorney General.

Ralph Slate

Ralph Slate originally hails from Decatur, Alabama. From an early age, he was taught a strong work ethic and to appreciate what is provided to you. Over 25 years ago, Ralph moved to Birmingham to begin his career as a contractor. He soon found satisfaction in the property restoration side of the contracting business, restoring homes that had been damaged in a flood, fire, or tornado event. As his property restoration career progressed, Ralph gained a reputation as a dependable and honest contractor. Over the years, he discovered that his passion was helping others to become whole again and resume their lives after a disaster. Now he is working for DryTech, a locally owned and operated company specializing in mold remediation, fire and water damage cleanup, and reconstruction. Ralph is able to assist so many families as they put their homes back together after a disaster. He is married to Sophie and has two children, Luc and Tiffany.

Dr. Jack Schaeffer

Dr. Schaeffer, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, practices in Birmingham where he is also President and CEO of an 18 location group practice and a refractive laser center. Dr. Schaeffer lectures internationally and serves on many industry boards and advisory panels. In addition, he is involved with many clinical studies on contact lenses, pharmaceuticals and equipment, and recently authored a mini-series on the history of contact lenses and the contact lens specialty practice. He was an executive associate editor of the International Contact Lens Leadership Summit, organized by Eye and Contact Lens Journal. Dr. Schaeffer also served as Chairman of the contact lens and cornea Section of the American Optometric Society. He is the co-founder and president of the Ocular Surface Society of Optometry and is currently on the board of directors and advancement chairman for Optometry Cares, the AOA Foundation and the GPLI Institute.

Penny Southward

Penny Southward, MPPM is a financial wellbeing coach with Operation HOPE ,where she focuses on helping clients increase their credit score, reduce debt, and increase savings as well as gain access to resources needed to achieve their financial goals. Prior to Operation HOPE, she founded and managed Financial Education Outreach (FEO) and the Alabama Money Expo, both created to provide free and relevant education around money matters to community members. Penny has a long history in nonprofit management and consulting in development, staff and board performance and community engagement. She was honored by the Central Alabama Business Women’s Center and as a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts North Central Alabama. She is a member of both Leadership Birmingham and Leadership Alabama and cares deeply about economic empowerment and poverty alleviation. Penny received her undergraduate degree from UAB and Master of Arts in Public and Private Management from BirminghamSouthern College.

Shirley Spain

After 38 years with the Social Security Administration, Shirley Spain retired as the area administrative assistant for Alabama. What began as a temporary clerk job became a career of greater responsibility in supervision and management. This career interacted naturally and beneficially with the aged community. In May 1974 introduced to the Council on Aging which was the precursor to the RSVP Program in Walker County, she served several terms as chairperson to this Advisory Council. Later, she became part of the Positive Maturity Board of Directors and served as chairperson along with other project involvements. In retirement, Shirley Spain continues her involvement with this organization that benefits from her interests and leadership.

Felicia Storey

Felicia Ayers Storey has a long professional career in social services to children, youth, and families. Felicia began her career as a social worker, advancing to vice president of Program Operations and Services at the Presbyterian Home for Children. In more than 35 years at the Home, Storey has served thousands of children and their families as a social worker, program director and interim president of the Presbyterian Home. Countless numbers have benefited from her experience and wisdom. She served as field instructor for several colleges and universities, held leadership positions in numerous service and civic organizations and is a member of Mount Canaan Baptist Church. In 2020, she was named one of the 2020 Women Who Shape the State by This is Alabama, al.com. A Tuscaloosa native, Storey graduated from the University of Montevallo and received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Alabama. She and her husband, James, reside in Sylacauga.

Ashfaq Taufique

Ashfaq Taufique is the president emeritus of the Birmingham Islamic Society, serving the spiritual and social needs of the Greater BirminghamHoover Muslim community. He is involved in all aspects of interfaith cooperation, ranging from helping the needy to promoting cooperation on common goals to fostering harmony. He has been part of Hoover Helps, which provides backpack lunches to the needy in the Hoover Schools. Working for Habitat for Humanity and Soup Kitchen are his passion. The National Conference for Community and Justice held an awards dinner in 2019, where Mr. Taufique was honored with a prestigious award commemorating his years of civic service to the Birmingham community, both Muslim and non-Muslim alike. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and mechanical engineering. He is married to Rita and has four children and nine grandchildren. He is a graduate of Leadership Birmingham and the inaugural class of Leadership Hoover, and serves on the board of Greater Birmingham Ministries.

Edwina Taylor

As founder and former executive director of Cahaba Valley Health Care, Taylor recruited volunteers, obtained equipment, engaged churches, formed a board of directors, and organized vision and dental services for underserved people. She was a palliative care specialist at the Balm of Gilead Unit at Cooper Green Hospital, and an RN for 28 years in Hematology-Oncology at UAB. She adopted her daughter, Emilie, from Guatemala, and thus began her passion for the Hispanic culture. At work, she became keenly aware of the plight of the uninsured. Then, in 1999, while sleeping, she had a dream about creating a clinic for Hispanics called Cahaba Valley Health Care, and the rest is history, including expanding to all people served, not just Hispanic. She once appeared on a Bill Moyers special, On Our Own Terms, and Sight Savers America honored her with the 2018 Hero for Sight Award. After retiring, she returned as Interim ED.

Leo Taylor

Leo Taylor was educated in the Birmingham School system. He attended Alabama State University, where, for a period of time, he majored in music. But along this path, he decided upon a different direction: a career in broadcasting. This landed him a starting position in the news department at WERC radio in Birmingham, and then onto a career in urban radio. He must have made a good decision, since he ended up working in radio for almost 40 years. But that didn’t seem to be the end of his educational aspirations, because he then pursued a career in law enforcement. In yet another successful move, he worked for the Department of Corrections as well as the Birmingham Police Department. After 11 years in Corrections, he went even further in his law enforcement career with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, where he is presently employed. His broadcasting continues, too, with his employment with Summit Media, as well as his appearances on numerous programs and shows throughout Alabama.

Andrew Westmoreland

Andrew Westmoreland became Samford University’s 18th president on June 1, 2006, leading the university to embrace a vision to enrich and expand its service to students, and further inspire their desire to meet the needs of the world. To advance this vision, the university committed to a challenging strategic plan with four priorities: emphasize student success, enhance our community, extend our reach, and ensure financial strength. Forever Samford is a six-year, $300 million capital campaign that was launched in fall 2016. It was the largest undertaking of its kind in Samford University’s 179-year history. Funding from the campaign helps to ensure that Samford continues to prepare and send dedicated, thoughtful and ethical people out into the world. Dr. Westmoreland retired on June 30, 2021 and was elected President Emeritus by the Board of Trustees. He also serves as the Executive Director of Samford’s Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership.

Janice Williams

Dr. Mark Wilson

Dr. Wilson serves as the Health Officer for Jefferson County and as CEO of the County Department of Health. He oversees a $55 million budget with a mission to prevent disease, assure access to quality health care, promote a healthy lifestyle and healthy environment, and protect people against public health threats. He oversees programs in air quality control, restaurant, school and other facility inspections, and six clinics serving over 200,000 patients each year. As a Board of Health member, Dr. Wilson has supported the Health Action Partnership, a coalition of local agencies committed to improving health and quality of life in the county. His service extends over his 20-year career as a physician and chief of staff at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital, a clinical teacher for UAB Medicine students and residents, a member of the Jefferson County Medical Society Board and his work with national organizations that focus on the poor and under served.

Janice Leverne Smith-Williams, a South Carolina native, has been in Birmingham most of her adult life. She spent 17 years as a cosmetologist, but her career took a turn when she pursued a degree from Miles College in Social Science. For ten years, she was the geriatric case manager for Senior Citizens Services of Alabama and Jefferson County. She has been a constant in the organization for years, and is now the senior services coordinator at Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens Services. She is married to the Rev. Charles B. Williams, Jr. and has two children. Janice loves her family’s church, St. Mark C.M.E. in Titusville. She is a licensed Deacon and a choir member. She has served the Birmingham Region Minister Spouses for many years and is a board member of the Elder Foundation, LLC. She was recognized as a Foot Soldier for Christ at the Phenomenal Women’s Summit in 2015.

Dr. J. Michael Wyss

Professor J. Michael Wyss currently works at the School of Medicine, and directs the Center for Community OutReach Development (CORD) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He conducts research in neuroscience, cell biology and physiology and cardiovascular function. Dr. Wyss has published 300 scientific publications on three major areas 1) midline brain structures and their involvement in learning and memory, 2) neural mechanisms that regulate chronic blood pressure, and 3) polyphenols and their contribution to health and disease. His teaching efforts revolve around learning and memory and K-14 science education. He holds multiple NIH, NSF and Department of Education grants to improve STEM education in the Southeast. He has been awarded several distinctions: Distinguished Professor, 2021; U.S. Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Math and Engineering Mentoring, 2019; Gardner Wright Scientist of the Year, 2017 and 2012; and many others. Outside of the laboratory, he enjoys swimming, soccer and photography.

Entertainment

Kathy Lovell

Kathy Lovell manages the Disability Services and Outreach Program for Regions. Ms. Lovell joined Regions in 1979 (First American Bank 1979/AmSouth 1999 and Regions 2006) as a branch teller. In 1982, she became the teller training supervisor for First American National Bank. In 1986, she assumed the role as a branch operations support specialist for First American. In 1992, Ms. Lovell became a compliance specialist overseeing Deposit Compliance, Tax Compliance and was the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator for First American National Bank. In 2002, she assumed the position as compliance specialist in the BSA/AML department with AmSouth Bank. In 2005, she assumed the role as OFAC/314a/ high risk manager in the BSA/AML Monitoring and Reporting Operations Department with Regions. In July 2011, she became the disability services and outreach manager.

Ms. Lovell holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee. She is a certified anti-money laundering specialist, CAMS (February 2009). Ms. Lovell also completed the ADA Coordinators’ Training Certification Program (February 2014). Ms. Lovell also completed the UAB ADA Professionals’ Training Certification (July 2015). Ms. Lovell received the Regions Better Life Award, December 2013. Ms. Lovell received the Spirit of the ADA Jack Gillrup Award, October 2014. And Regions Top Performer (January 2017 and December 2017). Ms. Lovell received the Women Who Shape the State of Alabama Award, November 2017. Ms. Lovell chairs the State Rehabilitation Council for the State of Alabama. Ms. Lovell currently serves on the board of Disability Rights and Resource Center and Art4All Florida.

William Miller Award Winner

William Miller was a lifetime achiever. He saved his country during World War II, had an outstanding career in international trade and a long, purpose-filled civic life. Mr. Miller not only was a founding member of Positive Maturity in 1972 through the Independent Presbyterian Church; he also served with many non-profits in the Birmingham area throughout his life. The William M. Miller Award was created to recognize members of the community who have dedicated themselves to making a difference either through civic engagement, business or philanthropy.

Ashley Sankey is one of the hottest vocalists in the Birmingham area and beyond. She has won awards as an independent artist, and has released three studio albums, Birmingham’s Here, True and Welcome To E-Land

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TumTum

Tree Foundation 33rd Annual Charity Wine Auction Weekend

Thursday, November 3 Private Vintner Dinners at select Birmingham Restaurants, Pop-Up Venues, and Private Residences | 6 PM

Friday, November 4

Grand Tasting, Dinner & Live Auction Haven | 2515 Sixth Avenue South Cocktail attire | 5:30 PM

Saturday, November 5

7th Annual TumTum Tree Tailgate Party Back Forty Beer Co. | 3201 First Avenue North

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