MARK BROWN is Tuskegee University’s 10th president and the first graduate selected to lead the 144-year-old institution. Brown is a retired U.S. Air Force major general who earned his bachelor’s degree from Tuskegee, a master’s from Troy University, two additional masters’ degrees from military programs and a doctorate from Baylor University.
BRENDA COLEY is superintendent of Russell County Schools. She holds a bachelor’s from Auburn, a master’s and specialist degree from Troy and a doctorate from Walden University. She was honored in 2024 for her work to improve athletic facilities. She is a member of the Alabama Education Association, council leader for Alabama Schools and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
JERE COLLEY is the newly elected probate judge of Lee County. He also is the current chairman of the County Commission. Colley earned his bachelor’s degree from Samford University and his juris doctorate from the Thomas G. Jones School of Law. He has worked in family court and with juvenile, delinquency and child support cases in Lee County. He has served on the boards of Mercy Medical Ministry and Clinic and Central Alabama Mountain Peddlers and is president of the Alabama Cycling Association board.
TREVOR COOK is the city of Auburn’s workforce development director. An Auburn graduate, Cook joined the city as a project manager in 2024 before taking on his current role in workforce development. He also partners with local schools and colleges to promote training in the manufacturing sector.
LAURA GRILL is president and CEO of East Alabama Health in Opelika. Last year, Gov. Kay Ivey appointed Grill to the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences board. She recently completed a term as chair of the Alabama Hospital Association. In addition, Becker’s Hospital Review named Grill as one of the “Women Hospital Presidents and CEOs to Know” for 2025. She earned a degree in nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and an MBS degree from the University of Alabama.
MELISSA GAUNTT is president and CEO of the East Alabama Chamber of Commerce in Phenix City. A lifelong resident of East Alabama, Gauntt earned a technical science degree at Columbus Technical Institute and studied computer science at Auburn University. She later worked in system development at Auburn University before moving on to work in the cable and internet industries. Afterward, she launched her own management consulting business before joining the Chamber in 2023. She is board chair of the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley and on the board of United Way of Chattahoochee Valley.
RAVEN HARVIS is regional director for H&S Commercial Supplies and Services LLC, a family-owned business in Opelika. Active in the community, Harvis’ memberships include Opelika Chamber of Commerce board, Zoning Board of Adjustments, Kiwanis, the Greater Peace Community Development Corp. and The Curtis House. She is an Auburn graduate with a master’s from the University of Phoenix.
CRISTEN HERRING is the superintendent of Auburn City Schools. She holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Auburn and also completed coursework at the Alabama Superintendent’s Academy. Before becoming superintendent, she worked as a teacher, reading specialist, principal and elementary curriculum director. Herring is a member of the East Alabama Mental Health board.
EDDIE LOWE is the mayor of Phenix City. First elected in 2012, Lowe became the city’s first Black mayor that year. He recently was re-elected for a fourth term. Lowe holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama, where he played football under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Later, Lowe played for the Saskatchewan Rough Riders in the Canadian Football League. Today, Lowe is the chaplain and volunteer coach at his alma mater, Central High School. He is also active in the United Way and sits on numerous community boards. He also served 12 years on the Phenix City Board of Education.
ANDREA MITCHELL is the entrepreneurial and technology programs manager for the city of Auburn, matching local startups and entrepreneurs with the resources, training and mentorships needed to start and grow their businesses. An Auburn graduate, she holds a master’s from Auburn University in Montgomery and a second master’s from Troy. She is on the board of United Way of Lee County, and active with Central Alabama Works and Junior League of Lee County.
NATHAN MURPHY is group vice president at Golden State Foods in Opelika, overseeing operations for the company’s protein products. Murphy has served on the boards of Golden State Foods Foundation, the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, the Food Bank of East Alabama and the Twin Cedars Child Advocacy Center. Murphy earned his bachelor’s degree from Missouri University of Science and Technology and his MBA from Webster University.
KELSEY GALLAHAR SULLIVAN is executive director of Opelika Main Street. Under her leadership, Opelika Main Street has won awards for its marketing and for its work to attract more than $50 million in public and private investment downtown. She is an Auburn graduate with a master’s from Troy and a doctorate from Liberty University. Sullivan holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Auburn University, a master’s degree and doctorate in public administration from Troy University and Liberty University respectively.
JOE TURNHAM is director of the Macon County Economic Development Authority. Under his leadership, the authority has added new industrial sites and secured a $2.77 million Alabama Department of Commerce grant to acquire a 360-acre industrial site with access to Interstate Highway 85 and Moton Field Airport. The authority also recently acquired The Tuskegee News, saving the 160-year-old newspaper from shutting down. Turnham is the former chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University.
This article appears in the December 2025 issue of Business Alabama.
