Current Members
Gov. Kay Ivey
Ex-Officio President
Governor Ivey was sworn in as Alabama’s 54th Governor on April 10, 2017. She graduated from Auburn University in 1967. She was elected State Treasurer in 2002 and Lieutenant Governor in 2010. She again made history in 2014 by becoming the first Republican Lieutenant Governor re-elected to the office. She is also the first Girls State alumnus to be elected to an Alabama Constitutional Office. She resides in Montgomery, AL.
Senator Arthur Orr
2015-2029
Chair
Senator Orr serves as Vice President and General Counsel for Cook’s Pest Control. He has previously served as a Country Director/Staff Attorney for Habitat for Humanity International and as an Educational Consultant for the United States Peace Corps. Orr received his Bachelor’s Degree from Wake Forest University in 1986 and is a 1989 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law. Senator Orr resides in Decatur.
Mr. Jim America
2019-2026
Vice Chair
Mr. America is a highly driven and visionary HR Executive Consultant, with multi-industry and international business experience. He currently is an Executive HR Consultant with PassionHR Consulting, Inc. based in Huntsville, AL. He began his career as a Process Engineer with the E.I. DuPont Corporation and transitioned into the field of Human Resources. He has served as the Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at U. S. Pipe & Foundry, Inc. (Birmingham), Colonial Pipeline (Atlanta), Carpenter Technology Corporation (Philadelphia), and FreightCar America (Chicago). Mr. America graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, and he received his Master’s degree in Public and Private Management from Birmingham-Southern College. He currently resides in Madison, Alabama.
Chancellor Jimmy Baker
Mr. Baker became the chancellor of the Alabama Community College System on April 1, 2017. He holds a graduate degree in Economics and Education Administration and an Education Specialist degree. He has served as Deputy State Superintendent of Education. He was appointed Chief of Staff in January 2016 for the Alabama Community College System and in August 2016 appointed as Acting Chancellor. He has more than 50 years in public service and private business.
Dr. Denver Betts
2024-2031
Dr. Betts holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce, a master’s degree in management, and a doctorate in education-organizational leadership. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Air Force. He served the University in several capacities over the years, including Vice President for Academic Affairs from 2007-2012. He is very involved in the community and currently serves as President of the Athens Rotary Club. He resides in Huntsville, Alabama.
Mr. Tommy Coblentz
2024-2031
Mr. Coblentz holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in business administration, and he is also a certified treasurer professional and an Eagle Scout. He has served in several capacities in banks across the North Alabama area and currently serves as President of Bryant Bank in Athens. He resides in Athens, Alabama.
Mrs. Donna Coleman
2024-2031
Mrs. Coleman holds a bachelor’s degree from Athens State University and is currently President/CEO of Aetos Systems in Huntsville. She has served on the University’s Foundation Board since 2018 and was Foundation Board President in 2022-2023. She is very involved in the Huntsville/Madison County community and has served on several boards, including the Women’s Economic Development Council Foundation. She resides in Madison, Alabama.
Mr. William “Bill” Dunnavant
2019-2026
Mr. Dunnavant has an extensive career in radio and television broadcast and production. He was the president and owner of Athens Broadcasting, Inc. for nearly 40 years and co-produced the Alabama Republican Convention Network, Stage Door Nashville National Network, and World Football League Birmingham American Network. He also founded Athens Limestone Bank, Reliance Bank, and ZYP Productions. Dunnavant is currently partnering with Alabama Upstarts, a television program where entrepreneurs in Alabama can pitch their ideas to local investors. Dunnavant graduated from Athens State College in May 1971 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He currently resides in Athens, Alabama.
Mr. Mac McCutcheon
2022-2029
Mr. McCutcheon was appointed as Madison County Commission Chairman by Governor Kay Ivey on January 31, 2023 and served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2006-2022. He served as Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives from 2016-2022 and served as the representative for District 25. Mr. McCutcheon is a United States Army Veteran and spent 25 years with the Huntsville Police Department in fields ranging from hostage negotiation to serving as a probation officer before his retirement. Mr. McCutcheon holds an associate degree in Criminal Justice from Calhoun Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Trinity University. He is a native of Madison County and resides in Monrovia, Alabama.
Mr. Goodrich A “Dus” Rogers
2021-2028
Mr. Rogers retired as Executive Vice-President for Business Development and Customer Service for the Farmers Telecommunication Cooperative in Rainsville, Alabama in 2024. He worked 16 years for the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service and 15 years in Economic Development with the Jackson County Economic Development Authority. He is also retired from the Army National Guard and Army Reserves as a Colonel with over 30 years of service. He received a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a master’s degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and he is also a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. He resides in Scottsboro, Alabama.
Mr. Mike Underwood
2022-2029
Mr. Underwood currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of TriGreen Equipment. Mr. Underwood grew up in a farming community in Colbert County and his family has been in the John Deere business for 75 years. Mr. Underwood serves on the Calhoun Community College Foundation Board and Alabama Future Farmers of America and the First Metro Bank Board of Directors. Mr. Underwood earned a bachelor’s degree in Management and Marketing from the University of North Alabama. Mr. Underwood resides in Athens.
Previous Members
Ms. Crystal Brown
2015-2021
Mr. Ronnie Chronister
2015-2022
Ms. Mary C. Dickens
2017-2024
Dr. Sandra Sims deGraffenried
2017-2024
Chancellor Mark Heinrich
Mr. Garth Lovvorn
2012-2015
Mr. Macke Mauldin
2015 – 2022
Ms. Maxine Randolph
2012-2019
Mr. Clint Shelton
2012-2019
Mr. Tazewell T. Shepard
2012-2017
Mrs. Missy Ming Smith
2017-2024