TERRY BURKLE is executive director of the Baldwin County Education Coalition, a philanthropic organization dedicated to empowering educators and strengthening student success. A graduate of Alabama’s Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute, she is a 25-year nonprofit leader and education advocate. Burkle also is co-founder and chairman of the Alabama STEM Foundation, expanding STEM opportunities to underserved communities across the state. She serves on the Alabama STEM Council and South Baldwin Education Foundation board and is a member of Impact 100 Baldwin County and Every Child Alabama Coalition.
RICHARD CARTER is associate vice president for global engagement at the University of South Alabama. He serves as the senior international officer for USA and oversees USA’s Baldwin County campus. He joined USA in 2016 and has 43 years of experience in education. He holds an undergraduate degree in industrial education, a master’s in industrial technology and a doctorate in educational administration.
JOSH DUPLANTIS is dean of economic and workforce development at Coastal Alabama Community College, where he leads large-scale workforce strategy across a 10-county region. He is a driving force behind major economic development efforts and the creation of industry-aligned apprenticeship and training programs in manufacturing, health care, aviation and maritime industries. Under his leadership, Coastal Alabama has launched nationally recognized work-based learning initiatives and expanded technical training infrastructure to meet employer demand.
KEITH GLINES is director of business incubator Hatch Fairhope and holds the title of visionary at Back Porch Productions, a content firm focused on publishing and media that specializes in developing, representing, producing and investing in innovative creators across various formats. His favorite part of his Hatch Fairhope role is mentoring founders and helping them scale their businesses — from early idea to sustainable growth.
RALPH HELLMICH is mayor of Foley. He began service to the city when he was elected to the City Council in 2004. He was re-elected in 2008, 2012 and 2016, became mayor pro tem in 2012 and was elected mayor in 2020. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama. Hellmich retired after 39 years with the Alabama Oil and Gas Board. He serves on the board of Riviera Utilities and on the Foley Planning Commission.
MICHAEL HILL is a career coach in Baldwin County. Before stepping into this role, he served for six years as a marketing education teacher. In his role as a career coach, he works to bridge the gap between industry and education. Hill serves on multiple boards and committees across the county.
MELISSA HOLLINGSWORTH is the training and development manager for Baldwin EMC in Summerdale, where she leads workforce development and talent initiatives that strengthen the cooperative and the communities it serves. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and an MBA. She is on the North Baldwin Infirmary Foundation board, Leadership Baldwin County steering committee and the YMCA of South Alabama board. Earlier, she chaired the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. She lives in Bay Minette.
TORI HOLT is plant manager of the Novelis facility in Bay Minette. His 30-year career in metals began at Nucor Steel, after which he joined Novelis, taking on managerial positions across North America, including at Novelis’ Oswego, New York, and Kingston, Ontario, plants. Currently, he oversees operations at the Bay Minette plant — a multi-billion-dollar investment and the first fully integrated recycling and rolling mill built in the U.S. in more than 40 years. Honors include the Aditya Birla Group’s Fast Starter Award. He also has served as a volunteer and board member for philanthropic organizations including the American Cancer Society.
MITCHELL LEE is president of Lee Charities, a foundation that exists to strengthen and support the nonprofit network in Baldwin County. He has a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from Arizona State University and spent the last 10 years working in the nonprofit sector. Lee serves on the board of United Way, South Baldwin Literacy Council, Seaglass Initiative, South Alabama Land Trust, Foley Rotary Club, Rotary Youth Club in Fairhope and the Alabama Literacy Alliance.
ROBIN LeJEUNE is in his second term as mayor of Daphne after having served on its city council for eight years. LeJeune serves on the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization as vice chair, Daphne Utilities board, Baldwin County Mayors Association and the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission. He is a member of Leadership Alabama Class XXXIV and the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger. The LeJeune family-owned Market by the Bay in Daphne for more than 18 years.
McCALL LUGO is director of economic development at the Baldwin Alliance. Her economic development efforts for the community include industry relationships, project activity and Belong in Baldwin. Before joining Baldwin Alliance, she was marketing membership director for Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Old Edwards Club and Glen Cove in Highlands, North Carolina. She also was the event promotion and marketing director for the Andalusia Chamber of Commerce. She is a Troy University graduate.
AARON MILNER is president of Coastal Alabama Community College. He began his 30-year career in education teaching middle school in the Wiregrass and spent more than 10 years building the new Saraland City School System before transitioning to Coastal. A graduate of the University of Alabama, he holds a master’s from Troy University and a doctorate in education from Auburn University and he has been an adjunct faculty member at the University of South Alabama.
MATT PALAMARA teaches culinary arts at Coastal Alabama Community College. He holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from Athens State University and is working toward a doctorate at Liberty University. He is certified as a culinary educator and executive chef by the American Culinary Federation and is certified as a dietary manager and culinary medicine professional. He helps teach culinary medicine classes with the Integrated Health and Wellness Program at the USA Mapp Family Campus in Fairhope and serves on the Nutritional Council for Gulf Shores City Schools. He is an Eagle Scout and is the current scoutmaster and cubmaster for Troop and Pack 49 in Gulf Shores.
HUNTER ROBINSON is CEO of Baldwin EMC and has extensive experience in the electric cooperative industry and advancing energy infrastructure. Over more than two decades, he has led efforts focused on reliability, member service and system growth. Robinson serves on the boards of PowerSouth, AREA and the Baldwin Alliance. “At Baldwin EMC, our commitment goes beyond delivering power,” Robinson says. “We are dedicated to supporting our communities and advancing responsible growth across business and industry.”
MARGARET ROLEY is CEO of Baldwin Health, where she oversees a comprehensive health care system with more than 25 locations. Since joining the organization in 2005, she has transitioned from a multi-year “CNO of the Year” honoree to a visionary CEO leading a $250 million expansion. She serves on the board for the Baldwin Alliance, GUMBO, the South Baldwin Chamber and the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber. She also serves on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Hospital Advisory Board and the South Baldwin Healthcare Authority.
JEFF SCHMITZ is community relations manager at Alabama Power Co. He has been with Alabama Power for 35 years. He is responsible for providing community development, economic development and workforce development within the communities of North Mobile and Baldwin County. He is a graduate of the University of Mobile and attended the Auburn University Economic and Community Development Institute and Leadership Mobile. Schmitz serves on the boards of the Saraland Area Chamber of Commerce and North Baldwin Infirmary Foundation and is active in Baldwin Alliance and the Saraland Lion’s Club.
AMY SCHULZ is founder and CEO of Foster Kids Matter. She oversees the Hope Bag project, which works to bring dignity and hope to vulnerable youth across Baldwin County. The organization served 223 children in its first year and 358 last year. She has been licensed as a foster parent.
ADAM SEALY is principal of Baldwin Preparatory Academy in Loxley, where he leads an innovative Career and Technical Education (CTE) high school focused on workforce readiness and real-world learning. With 21 years in education, he has served as an elementary teacher, softball coach, high school assistant principal, elementary principal, CTE director and high school principal. He was part of the leadership team that planned Baldwin Preparatory Academy. Sealy earned bachelor’s, master’s and Ed.S. degrees from the University of West Alabama and is a member of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools and the Alabama Association of Career and Technical Education.
AMANDA McKINLEY SELPH is human resources lead for the Novelis aluminum plant. She is founding partner and vice chair of a regional FAME USA chapter, and she has helped create sustainable talent pipelines connecting education, industry and economic development. She serves on multiple curriculum review boards for local schools and serves with the Alabama Community College System Workforce Leadership Council in reviewing grant applications for manufacturing to advocate for the advancement of industry driven education opportunities. She holds an MBA from Auburn University and has completed doctoral coursework. She serves on multiple public and nonprofit boards.
DEANN SERVUS is the executive director of Prodisee Pantry, Baldwin County’s largest emergency food pantry. She is a graduate of Penn State and was a broadcast journalist before moving to Prodisee Pantry. She received the distinguished Aubrey D. Green Humanitarian Award in 2025 and the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Community Leader Award in 2016. She serves on the Local Emergency Planning Committee of Baldwin County’s Emergency Management Agency, is chair of Baldwin County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, on the North Baldwin Infirmary Foundation board, on the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce board, and she works to mentor nonprofits. She lives in Stapleton.
KEN STYRON is president of Columbia Southern University. Under his leadership, CSU has earned Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accreditation and launched more than 100 degree programs, concentrations and certificates. In October 2025, Styron served as the Baldwin County Heart Walk chair, raising $203,000 for the American Heart Association. Styron serves on the board of Baldwin Alliance, South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and the Mobile Area Council Scouting America advisory board. Styron is a graduate of the University of South Alabama, CSU and Capella University.
SHERRY SULLIVAN is mayor of Fairhope. Sullivan was awarded the designation as an Advanced Certified Municipal Official by the Alabama League of Municipalities and serves as the Alabama League of Municipalities’ president for 2025-2026. She also is a member of the American Public Power Association Policy Makers Council, a member of the policy board for the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization, vice chair of the Electric Cities of Alabama executive committee, vice chair of the board of the Alabama Municipal Workers Compensation Fund (MWCF), and is a member of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Leaders Council and the Kiwanis Club of Fairhope.
CHAD WATKINS is president of WAS Design Inc., a landscape architecture firm with five offices in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. Watkins is active in professional associations and community boards, including currently chairing his profession’s state board and serving as past chair of the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and Foley Main Street.
KATY WHITE is principal at Foley Middle School. She is a lifelong Baldwin County resident and a dedicated educator with 24 years of experience, 21 of which have been spent serving Baldwin County Schools. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and her master’s degree from Jones International University. She is a member of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools and its middle school affiliate.
This article appears in the May 2026 issue of Business Alabama.
