The Shelby County Arts Council fuels a rich arts environment for the region as an advocate and resource for individual artists and arts organizations which are employers, producers, consumers and major promoters of their cities and regions. The Arts Council serves the entire community, reaching all economic levels, every age and all cultural backgrounds – embracing the activities of all arts and cultural organizations in Shelby County.
Click any Board Member to view a brief bio.
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Kevin Gustin President of the Board Kevin serves as the Vice President and Creative Director of Means Advertising. In addition to running the creative operations, he directs the agency’s award-winning TV commercials and is also an accomplished photographer. Kevin graduated from Mississippi State University and has been working in advertising for over 19 years. Kevin and his wife, Julie, are long term Shelby County residents and have two kids in the Shelby County School system. |
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Jane Hampton Vice President of the Board Jane Hampton is a retired educator who was employed by the Shelby County Board of Education for thirty-seven years. Jane is married to John Hampton and they have two daughters, Emily and Katie. Since retiring as principal of Oak Mountain Elementary school in 2008, Jane is currently running for a position on the Shelby County Board of Education. Jane is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of Montevallo. She is also a graduate of Leadership Shelby County. |
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Carol Hill Secretary of the Board
Carol Hill, a founding board member, is a retired educator with 25 years of experience currently serving as Chairman of the Shelby County Board of Registrars. She is an active board member of Leadership Shelby County and a member and past President of several clubs including the Alabama Legislative Club, Southern Women’s Committee of Fifty, and the Columbiana Vignette Club. Carol is a Sunday School teacher at Columbiana First Baptist and has been married to State Representative Mike Hill for 38 years. Carol and her husband have three children and three grandchildren.
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Maria Kennedy Treasurer of the Board
Maria Kennedy is the Executive Director for the Daniel Foundation of Alabama. Maria graduated from the University of South Alabama in Mobile. She is a CPA and a member of the American Institute of CPAs as well as the Alabama Society of CPAs. Maria volunteers in the reading lab with Inverness Elementary School. She and her husband, Drew, have two children and are members of Valleydale Church. |
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Terri Sullivan Executive Dir. & Dir. of Development
Terri Sullivan is the co-owner of Sullivan Communications. Terri was born in Lynchburg, VA and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Virginia. She and her husband enjoy living on Lay Lake with their two sons and are members of the Columbiana United Methodist Church.
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Lindsey Allison
Lindsey Allison has been a practicing attorney in Shelby County for 25 years and is currently serving a fifth term on the Shelby County Commission for District Seven. Through the years, she has served on numerous professional and non-profit boards. Lindsey is married to Russ Allison, and they have two daughters in college. |
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Slade Blackwell State Senator; Owner, Inkana Development; B.S. University of Montevallo, Member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Member of Birmingham Business Alliance. He and his wife, Sally have three children: Colby and Grant, 7 year old twins, and Hagen, age 5. |
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Beth Chapman Secretary Chapman received her B.S. Degree from the University of Montevallo and her Masters Degree, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has served on the board of CASA, Shelby County Family Resource Center, Children’s Policy Council, the Crisis Center, Lifeline Ministries, and Turning Point Foundation. Secretary Chapman is the author of two books and has also written two patriotic speeches, both of which have been entered into the Congressional Record by Senator Jeff Sessions and Congressman Jo Bonner respectively. Secretary Chapman is a highly sought-after motivational speaker and Christian comedian. She and her husband James have two sons – Taylor and Thatcher. |
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Lisa Davis Lisa McLeroy Davis lives in Columbiana and is a graduate of Auburn University. She is married to Jim Davis, Jr. of Davis Drug and they have three children and one grandchild. Lisa is an active member of Columbiana United Methodist Church where she serves as chairman of the Circle of Friendship, Bereavement Committee, Olive Branch Ministry and enjoys playing in the praise band. Lisa loves Columbiana and her heart lies in serving others. |
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Corley Ellis Corley Ellis is the owner of Ellis Properties, Inc. which is a Real Estate Brokerage firm. He is in his second term as a Shelby County Commissioner. Corley graduated with his B.S. Degree from Auburn University in 1993 and earned his MBA from Auburn in 1994. Through the years, he has served on numerous professional and non-profit boards. Corley is married to Julie Harris Ellis. |
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Debbie H. Butterworth Debbie Hawkins is Division Area Manager for Alabama Power's Birmingham Division – South Region. She has responsibility for the Pelham, Leeds, Calera and Columbiana business offices which serve 171,000 customers. Debbie also has responsibilities in customer, community, and external relations for southern Jefferson County and Shelby County. |
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Cindy Kelly Cindy Kelley is the chief of the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney Office in Birmigham, Alabama. She is a current member of the Leadership Shelby County Class on 2011-2012. This organization works to enhance the quality of life in Shelby County, Alabama. She is a resident of Columbiana, Alabama. |
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Kevin Morris Kevin Morris is the Vice President, Regional Branch Management, of M & F Bank in Chelsea. Kevin has served on numerous professional and non-profit boards including South Shelby Chamber of Commerce. Kevin has also served as an officer in Leadership Shelby County. Kevin enjoys golf, youth sports with his children, and reading. Kevin graduated from Auburn with a Bachelors degree in Finance. Kevin is married to Pam Morris and has three children, Will, Jordan, and Jackson. |
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Travis Reed
Travis J. Reed is the Safety, Environmental and Public Affairs Manager at Lafarge North America – Roberta Plant which is located in Calera, Alabama. Travis has been a part of the Shelby County community for over five years. He is married with three beautiful children, all of whom attend Briarwood Christian School. Prior to moving to Alabama, Travis and his family lived in Tennessee which is his home state. |
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Brant Sanders Brant Sanders is employed with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC as a Financial Advisor and has 40 years experience in the financial services industry.He graduated from the University of Alabama and has served in many areas for the University from alumni positions, funding raising,Greek advisor, and a loyal sports fan.Brant and Karen live in Mountain Brook and are members of Canterbury Methodist Church where he has served as Chair of Trustees,Board,and Finance committees. |
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Tom Seale
Tom’s background includes 29 years of diversified banking and finance experience as well as years of government and community service. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Montevallo and is a graduate of both The Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University and Leadership Shelby County. His government service includes serving on the Columbiana City Council from 1988 - 1992 and from 2000 - present. He is currently the Mayor Pro Tempore in Columbiana and served as Mayor in 2003. Tom is employed as the Finance Director for the City of Pelham, Alabama and is a lifelong resident of Shelby County. He and his family are members of the Columbiana United Methodist Church. |
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Craig Sorensen Craig Sorensen manages SouthWest Water Company’s business operations in Alabama and Georgia. A registered Professional Engineer in three states, he graduated from the University of Missouri-Rolla with a Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering and from Samford University with a Master’s in Business Administration. In addition to utility management, he holds an extensive background in heavy civil construction and design engineering. He and his wife chose Shelby County to be their home over 10 years ago and have three wonderful young children. |
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Cam Ward
Cam Ward is the State Senator for District 49 which includes parts of Alabaster, Helena and Pelham. He and his wife Julie have one daughter named Riley. Cam is an attorney who specializes in economic development for the City of Alabaster.
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Bob Whetstone
Bob Whetstone is Professor Emeritus at Birmingham-Southern College and author of three historical novels. He currently serves as Vice President of the Shelby County Arts Council and Chair of the Alabama Humanities Foundation. Bob Lives in Riverchase with his wife Janelle.
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Teresa Whiting Teresa Whiting lives in Columbiana with her husband, Leslie D. Whiting. She has a B.S. in Communications Studies from the University of Montevallo and is passionate about enriching the lives of others. |
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Richard Williams Owner of Henderson Williams, LLC, a science & engineering contract consulting/staffing company and Owner of Zen Properties, LLC. Served six years in the U.S. Navy in Nuclear Power and studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nebraska. Lives in Columbiana with his wife, Leigh, a State Certified Social Worker and daughter, Kaili, a student at Elvin Hill Elementary. |
PO Box 624, 104 Mildred Street, Columbiana, AL 35051 • 205/669-0044 info@shelbycountyartscouncil.com
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