Charles “Chuck” Karr is the 10th president of the University of Alabama in Huntsville. A native of Gulf Breeze, Florida, Karr is a three-time University of Alabama graduate. After spending seven years as a research engineer with the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Karr joined the faculty at UA where he received numerous recognitions for his teaching and leadership achievements and served as head of the university’s aerospace engineering and mechanics department before becoming associate dean for research and graduate studies and ultimately dean of the college. He has published three books, 44 journal articles and holds several patents.
Matt Mandrella is music officer for the city of Huntsville and leads the Huntsville Music Office, which oversees music-related strategic and economic development initiatives and serves to create a more dynamic music environment throughout the city. The Mobile native earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of South Carolina.
Matt Massey is president of the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, a public state magnet high school that has become a model for integrating cyber and engineering resiliency in all disciplines. Before joining ASCTE, Massey was the superintendent of Madison County Schools. A national board-certified teacher, Massey earned his bachelor’s degree from Troy University, a master’s from the University of Mississippi, and a master’s degree and an educational specialist certification from Samford University. Massey works toward collaboration among academia, industry, government and nonprofits to foster a vibrant community of learning.
Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan is deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel Command and senior commander of Redstone Arsenal. He also is acting AMC commanding general, leading one of the Army’s largest commands with 165,000 employees in all 50 states. He has served as commander of Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois; 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Kaiserslautern, Germany; and held command in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He earned his undergraduate degree at Appalachian State University and master’s degrees from the Naval War College and the Army War College.
Ryan Murphy is partner at TVG Hospitality and president of Huntsville Venue Group, where he directed the design and construction of the Orion Amphitheater. The venue has been open for several seasons and hosted headliners such as Lana Del Rey, Chris Stapleton, Snoop Dogg, Stevie Nicks, Dave Matthews Band and Jack White. Murphy also oversees operations at the venue, the newly re-opening Lumberyard and other projects throughout the country. Murphy earned his master’s degree at the University of Florida.
Edwin Nichols is superintendent of Madison City Schools. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee and a doctoral degree from the University of Alabama. Nichols has served as president of the University of Tennessee Alumni’s North Alabama Chapter and the Madison Rotary Club and served on the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra board, the Redstone Arsenal Community advisory board, the Madison Chamber of Commerce board, the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce Foundation board, the School Superintendents of Alabama board and the Council of Leaders in Alabama Schools board.
Jami Peyton is chief executive officer at Canvas Inc. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Athens State University and master’s degree at Auburn University’s College of Business. Peyton is chair-elect of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce executive committee, a lifetime board member of the Boys and Girls Club of North Alabama and a member of the Huntsville Committee of 100.
Jason Puckett is president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, where he oversees all production and administration functions. Previously, Puckett served as vice president of administration and manufacturing at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana. He serves on the boards of the Business Council of Alabama, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber and Huntsville/Madison County Port Authority. Puckett holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky and an MBA from the University of Evansville.
Luther “Butch” Roberts Jr. is CEO of the Port of Huntsville, working with Huntsville International Airport, the International Intermodal Center and the Jetplex Industrial Park. Roberts earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and is a Certified Management Accountant and an Accredited Airport Executive. He is a member of the American Association of Airport Executives and the National Association of Accountants and serves on the Aviation Council of Alabama board. Roberts also serves on the Alabama Space Authority, which promotes the research and development of new space exploration and Spaceport technologies.
Jeff Samz is president and CEO at Huntsville Hospital Health System, which includes 15 hospitals and related facilities. He was a Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina and earned an MBA from Wake Forest University. Samz is chair of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, secretary treasurer for the Alabama Hospital Association, treasurer of the Business Council of Alabama, vice chair of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Foundation and a board member for the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences, VIVA Health and Vizient Southwest. He also serves on the Huntsville Committee of 100.
Justin Serrano was named chief executive officer of Crestwood Medical Center in 2024. Prior to that, he served as chief executive officer of Santa Rosa Medical Center in Milton, Florida. A Johns Hopkins University graduate, he holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health.
Patricia G. Sims is president of Drake State Community and Technical College, a position she has held since 2018. Sims was appointed by President Joe Biden to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, where she advises on improving the security and resilience of critical infrastructure. She also serves on the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Regional Energy Resource Council and was appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey to the Alabama Port Authority board. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of West Alabama, her master’s degree from Alabama A&M University and her doctoral degree from Vanderbilt Peabody College.
Clarence Sutton serves as superintendent of Huntsville City Schools and is a veteran educator with nearly 30 years of experience as a teacher, principal and administrator. He previously served as the district’s chief of staff, deputy superintendent of learning supports and chief academic officer.
Brandon Tucker is a project executive for Turner Construction Co. in the Huntsville office. A graduate of Auburn University, Tucker has led the construction of the new Huntsville City Hall, which was completed in 2024, and has managed other projects in the region for Redstone Arsenal, Alabama A&M University, Jacksonville State University and others. Tucker serves on the board of directors for Second Mile Development, Maranatha Camp and Conference Center and the Greater Huntsville Humane Society.
Daniel Wims is president of Alabama A&M University. He previously served as provost and vice president for academic affairs and research and professor of agricultural sciences at the university. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Fort Valley State College, a master’s degree from The Ohio State University and a doctorate degree from the University of Maryland, with additional credentials in education. He has served as an itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and the Fort Valley State University Alumni Association.
This article appears in the May 2025 issue of Business Alabama.
