By Gus Wintzell

Huntsville Educational and Community Leader Appointed to APC Board of Directors

By Gus Wintzell / Photo courtesy of Drake State Community & Technical College

Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims was appointed by the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, Mac McCutcheon, to the Alabama Partnership for Children (APC) Board of Directors.

Dr. Sims’ career in education paints an image that perfectly qualifies her for the newest post.

Since 2018, Dr. Sims served as the fourth President of Huntsville’s Drake State Community and Technical College. At this position, she focused on serving and enhancing the lives of her students, including extensive curriculum development and expanding the College’s resources.

Because of her leadership and goals that catered toward the education and the advancement of opportunities for students on all levels of their educational pathways, Dr. Sims was awarded the first Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) ever granted to a historically black community college by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

“She is recognized as a community leader, exemplary administrative head, and someone who promotes building the workforce so that families can thrive.”

Prior to serving as the President of Drake State, Dr. Sims served as the Dean for the College of Education at Athens State University, where she oversaw significant technology enhancements, the creation of local innovative partnerships, and an expansion of the College’s curriculum by developing and launching the College’s first graduate program.

“Dr. Sims has such a broad and deep career in education,” said APC Executive Director Gail Piggott. “She is recognized as a community leader, exemplary administrative head, and someone who promotes building the workforce so that families can thrive.”

Besides her career in education, Dr. Sims is also involved in a variety of local and state organizations, including a board position for the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust and the first African American woman to serve on the Board of Directors for the Alabama State Port Authority.

Dr. Sims is also involved directly in the Huntsville community as a member of the Burritt Memorial Committee, the WEDC Foundation, “We welcome Dr. Sims as a new member of our board and look forward to her lending her expertise and enthusiasm to our organization.”

“Education is my life’s work and I am honored to serve an organization that is committed to serving Alabama’s families”

the AUM Foundation and is a member of the board for Downtown Huntsville Inc.

APC Board Chairperson Trippy McGuire stated that the combination of her educational career and community service makes her perfect for the new appointment.

“Dr. Sims’ involvement with young people and her interest in their success dovetails perfectly with the vision statement of the Alabama Partnership for Children that ‘every Alabama child will have the opportunity to succeed in life’,” said APC Board Chairperson Trippy McGuire. “We welcome Dr. Sims as a new member of our board and look forward to her lending her expertise and enthusiasm to our organization.”

When asked about her educational career, Dr. Sims summarized why the appointment to the Alabama Partnership for Children (APC) Board of Directors fits well with her personal goals.

“Education is my life’s work and I am honored to serve an organization that is committed to serving Alabama’s families,” said Sims. “The Alabama Community College System provides a unified system of institutions dedicated to delivering academic education, adult education, and workforce development. By providing an impact at an earlier stage, students in pre-kindergarten to high school will be able to gain the support and training needed to enter the workforce.”

Among Dr. Sims’ responsibilities with her newest appointment, she will represent all 24 schools within the Alabama Community College System. w

RECOGNITION

Beth Staula Elected to the ARA’s Board of Directors

The Alabama Retail Association (ARA) announced the election of Beth Staula to the organization’s board of directors.

Beth started her journey after receiving a degree in fitness management from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in physical education from the University of Northern Colorado.

An active member in Alabama’s retail and e-commerce scene for decades, Staula co-founded Alabama Goods with Sherry Hartley in 2007. The focus of Alabama Good’s has always been about advertising and promoting the local and regional products Alabama has to offer. Since 2007, Alabama Goods has focused on online sales of ALabama-crafted goods and items as corporate gifts.

Success led the partners to add two brick-and-mortar locations in Alabama: first in Homewood and the second in Huntsville. The certified women-owned business now employs 32, and hopes to open a third store this upcoming Summer in Hoover.

Staula and Hartly also received Alabama’s 2021 Gold Retailers of the Year awards in the Annual Sales $1 Million to $5 Million category.

When asked about the importance of the ARA for the state of Alabama, Beth responded that the “Alabama Retail Association is the only organization that advocates on our behalf to improve the political climate for Alabama businesses.”

Beth’s two-year term began January 1, 2022.

RECOGNITION

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Board Reappoints Huntsville’s David Nast

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta announced the reappointment of David Nast to a three-year term on the Board, which will be Nast’s second consecutive appointment to the board.

As a founding member of Huntsville-based Progress Bank, David Nast has served as President and CEO of the bank since 2008.

Besides banking and finance, David Nast has been involved in the Huntsville community in a variety of capacities. Nast has served various community and state organizations over the past few years, such as serving as the Chair of the Alabama Bankers Association Board and the Chair of the Huntsville Sports Commission. Currently, he serves as a board member of Leadership Alabama and served as a past CHairman for the Huntsville Museum of Art.

During his second term on the Federal Reserve Bank of Atalanta Board, Nast will continue to provide economic information from their industries and the branch territory to the district Bank’s president and head office directors, who use the information in discussing monetary policy options and making discount rate recommendations.

“David is a talented and intentional banker who is interested in strengthening our collective efforts to continually better our industry,” said ABA President and CEO Scott Latham in a statement. “A banker with broad experience and a strong work ethic, David is well-prepared to serve as ABA’s chairman.” RECOGNITION

Huntsville’s Merit Bank Announces New President and Chief Executive

Along with much of the recent success within the Huntsville-Madison County community, Huntsville-Based Merit Bank announced Charles W. Heaps as the company’s new President and Chief Executive. Heaps brings more than 20 years of banking experience to the new position, with an extensive record in commercial and agricultural lending success.

Heaps was one of the founding members of the group that successfully launched Merit Bank in 2019, helping raise $25 million from local investors in just two months. And, in the two years under his leadership, the bank surpassed $200 million in assets.

“I am excited and proud to serve as CEO of Merit Bank. It is an honor to lead an amazing team of professionals who are supporting local business owners and building our community during this period of rapid economic growth,” says Heaps. “I’m looking forward to the opportunities and success that lies ahead for our team and our customers.”

Heap’s 20 years of experience also includes Senior Vice President of ServisFirst Bank, as well as service in the greater Huntsville-Madison County community with the Council of Finance and Administration for the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Merit Bank is a Huntsville-based company that specializes in commercial lending and private executive banking, expansions, capital improvement, and many other areas.

Frank Aldag will continue to serve Merit Bank and its community as Chief Operating Officer. Mark Mcintyre will continue to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief of Baking Sales Officer.

RECOGNITION

Freedom Real Estate Announced the Promotion of Two New Vice Presidents

Effective January 01, Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC. (Freedom) announced the promotion of Brenda Conville and Lee Holland to two separate Vice President positions.

CEO Bill Roark said that the recent promotions represent major growth for Freedom.

“Freedom Real Estate and Capital has been consistently expanding since its founding. As a result of this growth, we have selected two exceptional internal leaders for promotion to Vice President.”

Brenda Conville will serve as Vice President of Real Estate with this promotion. Since 2017, Conville served as Freedom’s Director of Real Estate, leading the team in daily operations of the company, such as business planning, brokerage activities, property management, financial operations, and tenant relations.

Lee Holland will serve as the Vice President of Development and Construction. Since 2019, Holland has served as the Director of Capital Projects, providing oversight and leadership on all aspects of capital building programs and owner consulting projects. He has also assisted CEO Bill Roark on a variety of projects, including the development and implementation of strategic business and operational programs.

Holland commented on his excitement regarding the new position.

“I am honored that Bill Roark and the Freedom Board of Directors have entrusted me to continue to lead Freedom’s development and owner consulting services growth.”

Conville agreed.

“Today it is even more clear to me that Freedom is that company. I am honored that Bill and the Freedom Board of Directors have placed their faith in me to continue to lead Freedom’s real estate operations in this capacity.”