RONNI RENA BRASHER is the county extension director for Fayette County with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Auburn University. A graduate of the University of Alabama, she has a master’s from Auburn University. Brasher serves on the Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance board, Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, Fayette County Farmers Federation board, the Fayette County Farmers Market steering committee and co-facilitates the Leadership Fayette County program. Brasher played a key role in revitalizing the Fayette County Farmers Market, expanding access to fresh food for underserved populations. In 2024 she earned the 2024 Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.
RODNEY CLARK is administrator of Fayette Medical Center, part of the DCH System. Clark came to Fayette in 2024 after serving as chief operations officer at Sunflower Medical Center in Ruleville, Mississippi. During his tenure, the hospital was honored by state nursing groups. Clark is a graduate of Delta State University and worked in banking and finance before turning to health care, where he is highly regarded for his expertise in rural health care issues.
CONLEY ELLIS is chair of the board of Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce. He also is a business development officer at Peoples Trust Bank. Ellis is a graduate of Hamilton High School, Bevill State Community College and the University of North Alabama.
KELLI COLBAUGH FOSTER is regional director at Alabama Credit Union, overseeing branches in Fayette, Lamar and Tuscaloosa counties. A University of North Alabama graduate, she is currently pursuing her Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE) designation. Foster has served on the Fayette Area Chamber of Commerce board for 11 years, including four years as president. In 2025, she was chair of the C3 of West Alabama board and she is a member of the Ashcraft Two Trust Board. She has helped create Senior and Junior Leadership programs at South Lamar School, creating volunteer opportunities for students. She also works with local food pantries and in other community service.
WILL GILMER co-owns and operates Gilmer Family Farm in Lamar County’s Shiloh community. A graduate of Lamar County High School and Mississippi State University, Gilmer managed the family’s dairy with his father for more than 20 years before transitioning the farm’s focus exclusively to beef and forage production in 2023. Gilmer serves as a member of the board of directors for the Alabama Farmers Federation and ALFA Insurance, as a deacon of Fellowship Baptist Church in Vernon, and will serve as the board chairman for the C3 Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance in 2026.
JOEL HAGOOD is president of Bevill State Community College, which has campuses in Marion and Fayette counties. Before joining Bevill State in 2020, he worked in the Walker County Public Schools, completing his tenure there as superintendent. He was named District 7 Superintendent of the Year and was a finalist for state Superintendent of the Year. He holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Alabama, education credentials from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a doctorate from Samford University.
VANCE HERRON is Lamar County Schools superintendent. He is a lifelong resident of the county and a graduate of Lamar County High School. He served as a teacher, principal and coach before being named superintendent. Herron is a University of Alabama graduate with a master’s from the University of West Alabama.
BRITTON LIGHTSEY is CEO of the Tombigbee Electric Cooperative. He began work with Tombigbee as chief operating officer in 2022, after 15 years with Alabama Power Co. He has played a key leadership role in the development of fiber optic cable throughout the area. He has served on the boards of the Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance, regional workforce agencies and the Winfield, Hamilton and Walker County chambers. He is a graduate of the University of Montevallo.
CATHY MITCHELL is administrator of North Mississippi Health Services-South Marion. She began her health care career in nursing, eventually becoming chief nursing officer at Lakeland Community Hospital. She also has worked with Lifepoint Corp., working as chief operating officer over facilities in Tennessee. She holds nursing credentials from Bevill State Community College and Itawamba Community College, a bachelor’s degree from South University and a master’s from the University of Texas at Arlington. She serves on the Chamber of Commerce board and is active in other community projects.
ROBIN MIXON is administrator of North Mississippi Medical Center’s facility in Hamilton. She is a fellow of the American College of Health Care Administrators and the American College of Health Care Executives. A native of Natchez, Mississippi, she earned an undergraduate degree from Mississippi University for Women. She holds a master’s degree in health care administration from Trident University International. She is a certified health safety professional and a certified rural health care professional and is active in a variety of civic organizations.
HEATH REED is general manager of Northwest Alabama Gas District, which serves more than 15,000 customers across the state. In 2024, he served as chair of the C3 board (now Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance). He also is president of the Alabama Natural Gas Association. In 2020, he received the Alabama Natural Gas Association’s Person of the Year Award.
GLENDA ROBERTSON is director of the Fayette Civic Center, which is housed in the former Fayette Grammar School building built in 1930. It’s home to the Fayette Art Museum and can host meetings, banquets, seminars and special events. Robertson is a graduate of Fayette County High School.
FLOYD RODGERS JR. is an elected city councilman representing Ward 5 in Fayette, and serves as the Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) coordinator for the city of Fayette, focusing on economic development, infrastructure and leadership initiatives. He is the husband of attorney Ebony Rodgers and father of two. A committed business leader, he is the founder and managing member of Dominion Real Estate LLC and co-founder of Kings & Queens Family Childcare, supporting working families through early childhood, after-school and extended childcare services.
BILL SHOOK is CEO of Tombstone Group. He was honored as Champion of the Year by the Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance in 2025 for his work to develop a commercial corridor at Exit 30 from Interstate 22. He is credited with investing $3.5 million and working with the city of Winfield and the town of Brilliant to attract new business to the region.
PATRICK SUTTON is superintendent of the Marion County Schools. Earlier he served as coordinator of prevention and support services for the schools. In his previous position, his duties included truancy and attendance, alternative and virtual schools, safety, policy and athletics. He also serves as pastor of Happy Hill Church.
TAMI LEWIS WILLIAMS is the newly elected mayor of Hamilton in Marion County. Earlier she served on the Hamilton City Council and on the boards of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Alabama Gas District. A graduate of Hamilton High School, Williams holds a degree in early childhood education from the University of North Alabama. She also is a certified grant writer and serves as office manager for a veterinary practice owned and operated by her family.
TOM WISEMILLER is president and CEO of Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance. Prior to joining the Northwest Alabama EDA, he served as development project coordinator for the Marysville, Ohio-Union County economic development office. He spearheaded efforts to attract and retain industry in Union County, a rapidly growing rural/suburban area near Columbus. Notably, he played a key role in bringing a Spanish automotive supplier to Marysville. Wisemiller also worked 12 years for the city of Greenville, North Carolina, in economic development and downtown revitalization roles. He is a graduate of Ohio State University with a master’s from Cornell University.
This article appears in the February 2026 issue of Business Alabama.
