C-26 Class Directory - Shareable

MISSION & VISION

Identifying, educating, connecting, and inspiring leaders to serve our community.

An inclusive community of enlightened and engaged servant leaders.

Special thanks to our 2023-2024

COMMUNITY TRUSTEES

2023-2024

LEGACY LEVEL MEMBERS LEGACY LEVEL MEMBERS

Shannon Drake, L-25, MA-11

Jim Diehl, F-22, L-26

Charlie Blass, L-23, M-7, F-17

Quisha Bryant, C-14

Tammie Terry, L-23

Kyla Kelly, C-17

Sarah Macaluso, MA-11

Paula Cushman, M-1

Linda Akenhead, L-13, M-5

Hank Isenberg, L-28

Diana King, F-36

David King, F-10

Susan Anderson, L-14, F-1

Vincent Boles, L-25

Shannon Neblett, L-33

Zach Griffin, S-2

Acacia Moore, F-40, MA-12

Alice Lessmann, L-32

Lori Light, L-14

Nilmini Thompson, L-34

Sonia Robinson, C-3, L-31

Steven Conway, L-35

Denise Swain, L-34

Denise Taylor, L-22

Mary Occhipinti, L-35

Donna Lamb, L-2

Joe Alexander, F-3, L-15, M-4

Pam Alexander, F-11, L-23

Taron Thorpe, L-25

Lauren Battle, C-17

Drew Battle, C-11, MA-6, L-33

James Ross, F-37, L-33

Ashley Engles Ross, F-38

Kristine Harding, L-14

Tim Strait, F-40

Kelli Powers, L-33

Carey Miller, F-29, L-28

Nick Vickerson, MA-11

Joe Yearta, L-29

Melony Yearta, F-42

Lisa Abbott, F-7, L-22

Julian Butler

Kim Caudle Lewis, C-3

Sarah Savage-Jones, L-11

Andrew Jennings, L-27

Bill Colson, L-32

Beth Medley, F-26, L-28

Greg Brown, F-17, L-21

Heather Shonrock, L-35

Mary Ila Ward, L-34

Joanna White, C-22

Kris Ison, L-35, MA-13

Don Bowyer, F-42

Leadership Staff

Shannon Drake, President & CEO

sdrake@leadershiphsv.org, 256.469.2897

Kevin Walker, CFO & COO

kwalker@leadershiphsv.org, 256.653.4004

Diana King, Program Director, Flagship

dking@leadershiphsv.org, 256.585.7023

Kayla Clark, Program Director Connect, Challenge & Marketing

kclark@leadershiphsv.org, 317.504.7265

Katelyn Sides Baker, Program Director Alumni, Focus & Spark

kbaker@leadershiphsv.org, 256.339.6513

2023 - 2024 BOARD OF

Board Chair:

QUISHA BRYANT, C-14

Parking and Public Transportation

Director, City of Huntsville

Board Vice C

DREW BATT

Senior Vice P ServisFirst Ba

Immediate Pa

TARON THO

President, CB

Finance Chair CLINTON CA

CFO, Huntsvi

Finance Vice

GREG BROW

CEO, Brown

Secretary: TAMMIE TER

Community

Board Advisor:

CHARLIE BLASS, L-23, F-17

Owner, B.L.A.S.S. LLC

Alumni Chai

DOUG BRAZ

Business De Calhoun Com

Alumni Vice BILL COLSO

President, ASRI

Administration Chair:

MARY ILA WARD, L-34

President & CEO, Horizon Point Consulting

Administration Vice Chair:

DR. HARRY HOBBS, L-33, MA-4

Vice President of Employee Engagement

Huntsville Utilities

Program Chair:

ROB HAMILTON, L-32, MA-10

Vice President, IGNITE

DIRECTORS

Program Vice Chair, Flagship:

JEFFERY RICE, L-32

Police Captain, City of Huntsville

P Vi Ch i C ect: EC gement stwood ison City ation , C-25 , City of

hair: 11

Experience and munications

ice Chair: apital LLC : 34, MA-10 roducts and Solutions, Inc.

Fund Development Vice Chair:

TESS HALBROOKS, L-34

Vice President, Global Treasurer GameStop

DEI Chair:

MAIKE DEMARIA, L-34

Owner/CEO, Capabilitix, LLC

DEI Vice Chair:

ACACIA MOORE, MA-12, F-40

Senior Quality Manager, Parsons

STEERING COMMITTEE

Jillian Miles Massey

Talent Management Consultant | Horizon Point Consulting

JillianMilesMasseyisaWorkplaceInnovator Asaneducator,shehasdesigned,taught,andfacilitateduniversitycoursesand careerdevelopmentprogramsinthefieldsofmanagement,humanresources,entrepreneurship,andorganizationaldevelopment AsanHRprofessionalandtalentdevelopmentconsultant,sheremainsfocusedontraininganddevelopment,leadershipcoaching, andstrategicplanning Jillianvaluescommunityinvolvementandservesasanactivevolunteerleaderandmemberofprofessional andcivicorganizations,includingtheSocietyforHumanResourceManagement(SHRM),NationalCareerDevelopmentAssociation (NCDA),andTheJuniorLeague

JillianisagraduateofAuburnUniversitywithaBachelor’sDegreeinHumanResourcesManagementandaMaster’sinBusiness Administration SheisaSHRMCertifiedProfessional(SHRM-CP),aGlobalCareerDevelopmentFacilitator(GCDF),andaCertified CareerServicesProvider(CCSP) ShelivesinMadisonwithherhusband,Brian,andtwoveryolddogs,LucyandIndy

Rachel Riegle

Senior Analyst | Raytheon Technologies

Rachel Riegle is a Project Management Sr. Analyst with Raytheon Technologies and has been with the company since early 2021 Rachel moved to Huntsville from Columbus, Ohio in January of 2021 with her husband to be closer to family and has made it a point to become ingrained into the local community since her arrival Rachel was a member of C-24 and volunteers regularly at several local nonprofits including the Greater Huntsville Humane Society, Free 2 Teach, Downtown Rescue Mission, and more In her free time, Rachel enjoys spoiling her nephew, spending time with family, and going to the movie theater to enjoy newly released movies and delicious popcorn!

Jason Kearns

Director of Cyber Security | Davidson Technologies

Jason Kearns is a self-professed technologist and cyber professional sitting as the Director of Cyber Security for Davidson Technologies He carries a passion for helping others find their footing in the field and leading conversations by communication of growth and perspective Jason works to be intentional with life long learning as the technology landscape is ever changing He has co-developed a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that uses cloud services in a novel way in support of internet privacy and founded Darkvector ai in pursuit of being a thought leader in the space

In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife, good friends, and wasting money on golf.

Nicole Boonin

Managing Director | Flourish

Nicole Boonin is the Managing Director at Flourish Consulting Services, a full-service marketing and public relations agency in Huntsville, Alabama She discovered her passion for understanding and building solid growth strategies through her experience as a former restaurant owner, business consultant, event planner, and social media manager This career path encouraged her to embrace her entrepreneurial spirit, passion for leadership, and devotion to an always-learning mentality Nicole works primarily with government contractors, non-profits, and small businesses but enjoys the challenge of tapping into new industries Her career journey has contributed to her passion for developing impactful marketing strategies that enable her clients to communicate effectively to their audience, establish a strong brand presence, and demonstrate thought leadership.

Connect Class 25

Program Dates 2023 - 2024

Opening Retreat

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Friday, August 18, 2023

Local Economic Development

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Public Safety

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Local Government

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Health and Wellness

Thursday, December 14. 2023

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Education

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Human Services

Thursday, March 21, 2024

I <3 Huntsville

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Closing Retreat

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Thursday, May 9, 2024

Friday, May 10, 2024

Akshay is a proud first generation American of Indian descent who loves to capitalize on the funnier things in life As one of the early adopters of FBI employees to call Rocket City home, he has spent the better part of the last five years encouraging others to seek out the positive possibilities this town has to offer

Akshay has made his mark in this city volunteering in various organizations and staying vocal in his support for civic enhancements Whether it be advocating for the new Amphitheater or playing a role in a local theater production, his love for the arts is unmatched To date, his biggest accomplishment is being recognized as a comedian and twice removed cousin of the Genie from Aladdin who produced a comedy special that was on Amazon Prime for almost two years

Akshay looks forward to finding new ways to support the Rocket City's future

Brian Anderson

Senior Development Manager | American Cancer Society

Brian moved to Huntsville in 2016, working for the Boy Scouts of America as a development director After moving to Birmingham, he returned to Huntsville in 2021 with the American Cancer Society

Brian has worked for more than 8 years with non-profits, overseeing event coordination, marketing, and community development He has raised more than $400,000 locally for ACS programs, including more than $50,000 in local transportation funding which helps low-income and rural residents get to cancer screenings and doctor appointments Brian has worked with local leaders to cultivate event growth and spread the mission of ACS in North Alabama He is a member of the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce and Business Network International

A New Hampshire native, Brian graduated from Keene State College in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism He completed his master’s degree in Community Journalism from the University of Alabama in 2011

Mark Baker

Channel Account Manager | Hubspot

Mark Baker is a Baltimore native who relocated to Alabama to attend Auburn University He completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology A few years later, Mark completed his Master of Business Degree from UNA

After graduating from Auburn, he relocated to Huntsville and began his professional career Mark has been in the telecommunications and tech industry for seven years now, having worked for Verizon, Sangoma, and currently Hubspot He is the Channel Account Manager at Hubspot where he manages the relationships between his company and their reselling partners

When he is not working, he spends his time with his wife Katelyn, his son Lachlan, and their two dogs Brodie and Allie-Claire In his free time, you'll find him hiking, exploring some new places, or doing an outdoor project Generally living, laughing, loving you know the drill

Chase Belk

Investment Analyst | Twickenham Advisors

Chase Belk, Investment Analyst at Twickenham Advisors, graduated from Furman University in 2019 with a B A in Business Administration Following graduation, Chase moved to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management There, he graduated from the Master of Accountancy program, specializing in Finance Subsequently, Chase moved to Boston, Massachusetts to begin his professional career as a Business Valuation Consultant at KPMG In his current role as an Investment Analyst for Twickenham Advisors, Chase will assist in portfolio management, investment analysis, and trading In his free time, Chase enjoys playing tennis and golf, cooking, and reading His favorite books are Open by Andre Agassi, Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor, and The Terminal List series by former Navy SEAL Jack Carr

Pamela Bourque

Deputy Chief Counsel | NASA - Marshall Space Flight Center

Pam currently serves as Deputy Chief Counsel in the NASA MSFC Office of the General Counsel She has 29 years of experience as a Federal attorney, with extensive experience in Government Ethics, Personnel Law and Litigation, Fiscal Law, and Contracts She has been recognized with the NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal, Silver Snoopy Award, and Launch Honoree Award She is proud of her work mentoring attorneys and support staff across NASA Pam has served as an officer and Symposium Chair for the North Alabama Chapter of the Federal Bar Association She is a native of Broussard, Louisiana, and a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Tulane University School of Law She volunteers at St John the Baptist Catholic Church and St John Paul II Catholic High School Pam enjoys Cajun cooking and spending time with her husband Max Patin, and their two children

Jacob Bridges

Assistant Vice President, Relationship Manager | Cadence Bank

Jacob Bridges is an Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager at Cadence Bank in downtown Huntsville He is a 2019 graduate of the University of Mississippi's School of Business Administration, with a major in Managerial Finance and a minor in Entrepreneurship He has served in a variety of manners during his tenure in Huntsville, including community projects with the Salvation Army, United Way, and Greater Huntsville Humane Society Prior to moving to Huntsville, Jacob served with the United Way in Nashville, TN, and various homeless advocacy groups in Nashville and North Mississippi He is married to Huntsville native, Olivia Flowers Bridges, and attends church at Mayfair Church of Christ During his free time, Jacob is an avid outdoorsman and conservationist, working closely with a number of conservation groups in Alabama and abroad

Holly Brockman

Staff Technologist/Azure Admin | Booz Allen Hamilton

An Indiana native, Holly made Madison home in 2017 A self-professed tech and operations nerd, she gets fired up about delivering projects on time and within budget, which she does for Booz Allen Hamilton, serving the Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC) Prototype Integration Facility (PIF)

Before Booz Allen, Holly was project manager for The Catalyst Women’s Business Center and led operations for FigBrew Committed to giving back, Holly volunteers with various causes and is on the board of multiple charitable organizations She is serving as the Junior League of Huntsville Executive Vice President for the 2023-2024 year and loves being a member of the Rainbow Rhythm Band

In her spare time, Holly coaches motorcycle safety courses for Redstone Harley-Davidson and enjoys motorcycle track days with her husband, Chris When she isn’t riding, she’s busy supporting Huntsville’s local restaurants, adventuring with friends and family, or learning new skills

Abigail Byars

Account Representative | TriHaz Solutions

Abigail moved to Huntsville in 2019 shortly after graduating from Samford University She recently joined a local startup as an account representative to take on business development initiatives, after three years of working in corporate sales Abigail is also a co-founder, with her husband, of a small construction services company that aims to employ and mentor college students Abigail enjoys working in an environment where she can wear multiple hats, build genuine relationships, and bring new ideas to life As an enneagram 3w2, she brings an energetic and personal touch when it comes to meeting goals

Abigail is active in three ministries in the Greater Huntsville area throughout the year - JH Outback, Lincoln Village, and Graces of Gurley She has a passion for all things outdoors In her free time, she enjoys gardening and floating the river with her husband and their Labrador retriever, named Coach

Mrs ShaVonne Cammack is a Deloitte Manger that specializes in IT Modern zation for Federal Government clients She is a Certified Computing Technology Industry Association Security + professional (CompTIA Security+) and a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), as well as ITIL and LSS certified ShaVonne has 13+ years ’ experience in IT Strategy, IT Service Management and Solution Design/Architecture for DoD clients

Mrs Cammack helps her clients rationalize their IT portfolio to determine cost sav ngs, design and deliver IT services to meet mission demands more effectively and improve their overall IT operations With customer service delivery as the focal point Mrs Cammack works with stakeholders to define the best strategy and roadmap to modernize their enterprise IT posture

Mrs Cammack actively serves on several boards both professional and personal and is also a member of several organizations which include:

J F Drake State Community and Technical College Foundation Board member, Deloitte Black & Allies Community President, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc member, Leadership Greater Huntsvil e

planning committee member Leadership Greater Huntsvil e Graduate Focus 43 Class Alabama

University Business Advisory Council Chair Featured in Voyage ATL magazine 2023 Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering Women in STEM panelist, 2022 HBCU Technology Panel Discussion moderator

She holds a BA Degree in Communications from Alabama A&M University s a 2020 Cornell University graduate and holds severa addit onal professional certificat ons Along with serving her community in several capacities Mrs Cammack serves as the Deloitte/AAMU liaison where she worked alongside Deloitte Global COO and team to successfully stand up the Deloitte Technology Pathway pilot program at AAMU The Technology Pathway program extended internship opportunities and mentorship to 22 qualified AAMU students

Mrs Cammack is passionate about HBCU students and devotes a sign ficant amount of t me working to ensure the next generation of HBCU graduates are prepared to enter corporate America

In her spare time she enjoys watching football hiking and preparing delicious meals for her family and friends She is also a pub ished author and lifestyle brand CEO (www letseatbook com ) She is happily married to Mr Erroll Cammack II (Huntsville Po ice Department Detective), who is also a graduate of Alabama A&M University, and they have two children, Shaniah (17) and Trey (10)

Molly Cook

Contracts Administrator| Torch Tecnhologies

Molly Cook, CPCM, CFCM, is a Contracts Administrator for Torch Technologies Inc Molly has been working in the Government contracting field for 8+ years She holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville Molly has been a member of the National Contracts Management Association (NCMA) since 2013 Molly served as the VP of Education and Secretary for NCMA Huntsville Chapter

Bhagyesha Darji

Sales & Leasing Specialist | NAI Chase Commercial

Bhagyesha is born and raised in Huntsville, AL She has worked in numerous fields of jobs throughout her young years prior to graduating from UAB where she obtained a degree in accounting She worked in public accounting for 7 years, most of those years at Warren Averett She has now embarked on a career change as of August 2022 as a broker at NAI Chase Commercial She believes her heavy background in tax/finance will help her thrive Bhagyesha enjoys meeting new people and listening to stories of others She is eager to make a difference in her community

Emily Davis

Executive Director | Russell Hill Cancer Foundation

Emily is a native of Huntsville and a graduate of the Culverhouse College of Business from the University of Alabama She is the Executive Director of the Russel Hill Cancer Foundation In her time at the foundation, she has helped the North Alabama cancer community by facilitating over $3,000,000 towards patient assistance and research initiatives, created new educational cancer programs, and planned fundraising events which in total raised $1,795,000 She has been involved in the Junior League, Boys and Girls Club, and the Huntsville Museum of Art Emily is married to Taylor Davis, C-22 alumni She enjoys spending time with her two kids, Collier (4) and Drew (3), going to concerts, and vacationing at the beach Emily is excited to serve Greater Huntsville through Connect Class 26

ChrisAnn Driskill

Director of the Development Office | Drake State Community and Technical College

Drake State Community & Technical College recently promoted ChrisAnn Driskill as its new Director of the Development Office Driskill previously served as Drake State’s Development Program Assistant during the college’s 60th Anniversary Celebration Before joining the team in 2021, Driskill was a stay-at-home mother for 18 years When her son graduated as a dual enrollment student at Drake State, she admired the care and quality of education her son received That inspired Driskill to enter the workforce and pour into the community the same way Drake State helped her son reimagine his future Driskill makes every effort to strengthen community partnerships while staying current on fundraising trends and increasing donor relations

JacquelineEgbujo

Executive Assistant | Huntsville Housing Authority

Jacqueline M Egbujo joined Huntsville Housing Authority in January 2017 as the Senior Administrative Assistant in the Human Resources department In 2020, Jacqueline was promoted to Executive Assistant

Egbujo earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Columbia College

Egbujo is also enrolled in the graduate program at Columbia College in business administration with an emphasis on Human Resources

Egbujo plans to have an opportunity where she would be able to use her skills and experiences to make a difference She also enjoys spending time with her husband and four children

Laura Good

Marketing Program Manager | Lakeland Industries

Working in Huntsville has brought Laura Jane a broader assortment of professional opportunities than she ever could have imagined From spearheading large-scale website redesign projects, rolling out an automation platform, and scaling digital marketing strategy to multinational stakeholders, her past four years in Huntsville have been full of excitement and growth –leading her to adopt an “expert generalist” mentality With a goal of developing a competitive, working knowledge of all things digital marketing, Laura Jane has found Huntsville to be the perfect professional fit

Outside of the office, Laura Jane continues to explore all that Huntsville has to offer and search for opportunities to become more involved in the larger, growing community

Lindsay Gosnell

AMTAP East Site Lead | Lockheed Martin

Lindsay Gosnell is an active member of her local Hartselle community, church and schools She has four children and loves spending time participating in their athletic and civic activities

Ms Gosnell is a certified Maxwell Leadership Speaker, Trainer, Coach, and holds a place of influence in the coaching world She has successfully developed emotionally healthy teams in the public and private sector She is a natural activator, and aspires to leave everyone she meets feeling energized and uplifted

Lindsay currently leads AMTAP (Advanced Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Program) within Lockheed Martin Space In this capacity, she is responsible for leading the Courtland-specific Workforce Development Program, serving as an ambassador in the community She partners with local high schools, colleges, civic groups, and Chambers to help develop a non-traditional pipeline for technical skill capture Her efforts have resulted in the exponential growth in visibility and talent within Lockheed Martin’s Courtland Campus

Tanya Hendrix

Attorney/Owner | Huntsville Estate Planning Lawyer LLC

Tanya is an estate planning attorney and owner at Huntsville Estate Planning Lawyer LLC Tanya has been a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, family law attorney, and mediator She prosecuted crimes against women and children and has been an advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault for more than 20 years Tanya has helped identify and assist victims of sex trafficking across the country She has trained law enforcement and civilians how to identify victims of trafficking

Tanya is the author of Equal Protection Under God: Gender equality and women ’ s roles in the church and a Bible study, Seen: A study of 5 Biblical women who were deceived, raped, and disregarded yet seen by God

Tanya is a member of the Huntsville Bar Association, Tennessee Valley Business Network, Co-Director of Valley Vital Living, and a member of the Women’s Philanthropy Society

Michael Henry

Mergers & Acquisitions Analyst | Hexagon

Michael moved to Huntsville in 2010 from Middletown, OH to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville However, upon moving, he has since realized the value and opportunities available in living in Huntsville, and now proudly calls it home Since graduating in 2014 with his Bachelor’s Degree, he has spent his career working as a Quality Assurance Engineer for Hexagon and, more recently, now as a Mergers and Acquisitions Analyst for the company He has also taken an active role serving his community, having been the Chairman of the Alpha Tau Omega Board of Trustees at UAH and serving as a Missional Community Leader and Student Mentor at Summit Crossing Community Church When not working or serving his community, Michael likes to be outside running and hiking, spending time with friends, and checking out the latest restaurants and entertainment venues Huntsville continues to offer

Adam Hoekenschnieder

Attorney/Partner | Brodowski, McCurry, Miller & Hoekenschnieder

Adam Hoekenschnieder is an attorney with Brodowski, McCurry, Miller & Hoekenschnieder His practice includes estate planning, business law, and real estate law In his practice, Adam helps individuals plan for their loved ones through their estate plan Adam also assists entrepreneurs start new businesses and handle their legal challenges

Adam received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science graduating cum laude from the University of North Alabama He earned his Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (AL) While in law school, Adam was selected by the faculty to serve as a Judge Abraham Caruthers Teaching Fellow He was also a member of the school’s Moot Court team, and served on the Moot Court Board

When not working, Adam enjoys working out and firing up the grill on a football weekend He resides in Huntsville with his wife, Hannah, and their dogs and cats

Ryan Jones

Associate Attorney | Warren & Simpson, P.C.

Ryan Jones grew up in Hamilton, Alabama He is a graduate of The University of Alabama and Cumberland School of Law While attending Cumberland School of Law, Ryan also obtained an MBA from Samford University

Ryan is a personal injury attorney, who works for the firm Warren & Simpson Ryan’s law practice primarily focuses on trucking litigation, automobile wrecks, constructions accidents, product’s liability and worker’s compensation

Ryan and his wife, Mary Beth enjoying spending time with friends and family at the lake, attending Alabama sporting events, and playing golf

Caroline King

Work-Based Learning Coordinator | Huntsville City School

Caroline King has been living and working in the greater Huntsville area since 2008 From 2015-2022, Caroline was an engineering teacher at New Century Technology High School where she developed community partnerships with non-profit organizations including Energy Alabama and Habitat for Humanity She was New Century’s inaugural Greenpower team coach, earned Teacher of the Year in 2018 and 2020, developed an expertise in 3D printing, and served as the school’s webmaster Currently, Ms King has her “dream job in education” as one of Huntsville City Schools’ Work-Based Learning Coordinators

Caroline is also proud to have served in various roles with the Distinguished Young Women of Madison County Scholarship program from 2009-2020 She’s passionate about helping young people identify their strengths and pursue their goals

Allie Komara

Treasurer Management Officer | Merit Bank

Komara is a Huntsville native who enjoys spending time with friends and family, and proudly works at Merit Bank She attended Grissom High School and graduated from The University of Alabama After graduating Komara enjoyed living in Huntsville, Sydney, and central California Komara began her banking career in Austin, Texas, before returning to Huntsville in November 2021 At the start of 2022 Komara joined Merit Bank as Treasury Management Officer Komara recently joined the Private Banking team, and is excited to continue help grow the local bank headquartered here in Huntsville Her dynamic experience brings a fresh perspective that truly aligns with Merit’s mission She enjoys customizing each experience for customers to fit their specific needs Komara currently manages full banking relationships for high-net-worth individuals This has allowed her opportunities to reconnect with friends and community leaders, while becoming involved with local organizations and alumnae associations

Tawnya Laughinghouse

Manager, Technology Demonstration Missions Programs |

Tawnya Plummer Laughinghouse is Manager of the NASA Technology Demonstration Missions Program, managing approximately $500M annually for the Agency to accomplish key technology advancements for future science and human exploration missions Under her leadership, the program has successfully developed and launched to space over 7 important tech demo missions

With 19 years of experience at NASA, Tawnya is a federally certified program and project manager and a graduate of various NASA and DOD leadership development programs In the community, Tawnya has managed the finances for 18 years as Treasurer of the Huntsville Area Chapter of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College, enjoys mentoring and speaking engagements with students and women professionals, STEM outreach, and serves as Assistant Mentor for a local Robotics team

She is a graduate of Spelman College, Georgia Tech, and UAH

Tawnya is married to Scott Laughinghouse and enjoys raising their two children in Huntsville

Ashleigh Lewis

Manager | Deloitte Consulting

Ashleigh Lewis is a Human Capital Manager in Deloitte's Workforce Transformation offering Ashleigh is experienced in leveraging data analysis to provide strategic solutions and drive business decisions As a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Ashleigh excels in evaluating competitive pay data, developing pay structures, and enhancing job architecture frameworks for clients by staying cognizant of trends in the labor market She possesses strong analytical and problem-solving skills, is a proven effective communicator, team leader, and advisor to senior leadership She is driven to deliver client solutions through fostering relationships and understanding workforce challenges with an ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment Personally, she enjoys playing golf, cooking, and almost any outdoor activity She and her husband, Trey, are expecting their first child in October

Carmen Madere

Plans, Policy and Doctrine Specialist | US Army, Aviation and Missile Command

Ms Carmen M Madere assumed her current position in November of 2021 As the Plans Policy and Doctrine Specia ist for the United States Army TMDE Activity (USATA) her principal duties include reviewing current and proposed Army doctrine and policy to ensure necessary changes are ncorporated that affect the total Army’s Calibration and Repair Support (C&RS) mission to properly align with the future Army She also serves as USATA s long range planner by understanding the impact of published Army Strategies on USATA and the total Army s C&RS mission and suggesting detailed projects and strategic initiatives for consideration by subject matter experts within the organization to further enhance USATA’s future readiness posture Additionally, she is responsible for establishing and maintaining a process to lead and integrate reviews of USATA’s internal polic es, standard operating procedures, and user applications to ensure they are written by the appropriate level of authority contain current reference material are within the Army s 5-year life-cycle plan and are easily accessible by anyone in the organization Ms Madere joined USATA in 2019 and initially served within the S-3, Current Operations section, where she managed taskings, prepared monthly brief ng charts, and wrote weekly s gnificant activ ty reports During her assignment to the Current Operations section Ms Madere was selected for a 9-month detail to serve as the Executive Officer for the USATA Executive Director; responsible for managing his calendar, briefings, travel, and official correspondence Following her time in the S-3, Ms Madere functioned as USATA’s first Knowledge Management Officer She established a Knowledge Management working group initiated changes to the organization s intranet and SharePoint sites and investigated methods for enhancing communication within the organization Prior to oining USATA in her first organization as an Army Civilian Ms Madere served as a Plan Specialist and Operations Specialist for the Army University, G-3 at Fort Leavenworth, KS From 2017 to 2019, she received taskings from the Combined Arms Center and wrote plans and operations orders directed to twelve subordinate organizations located in seven different states She represented Army University Headquarters at key meetings working groups planning groups in-progress reviews and video teleconferences Prior to becoming an Army Civilian, Ms Madere graduated from the United States Mi itary Academy in 1996 and was commissioned as an Army Engineer Officer While on Active Duty for 7 ½ years Ms Madere served in a variety of positions and deployed several times to Central America and Southwest Asia After leav ng the Army Ms Madere married an Army Infantry Officer and decided to stay home to ra se their three children unti returning to federal service in 2017

Merritt Malone

Junior Account Manager | IGNITE

Merritt Malone is a skilled marketing and public relations professional at IGNITE With a strong background in communication and a passion for connecting people, Merritt has developed a reputation for being a creative and effective strategist She has a proven track record of success in managing marketing campaigns, building relationships with key stakeholders, and delivering results that exceed expectations Merritt thrives on helping small businesses find their voice and understand the importance of strategic marketing As a North Alabama Native, she is eager to contribute to the growth of the place she calls home

Adrianna Manginelli

Project Civil Engineer | Schoel Engineering

Adrianna is a Civil Engineer at Schoel Engineering in Huntsville She is a native Ohioan and relocated to Huntsville in 2018 with her husband, Michael They love road trips and traveling to new places, listening to music, hanging out with their dog, Rudy, and seeing their nieces and nephews every chance they get Adrianna started her schooling at Youngstown State University in Ohio then completed her B S in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2020 Since working at Schoel, she has been given the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects in the Huntsville area and enjoys being able to create spaces for the community as well as contribute to the growth of the City

Summer Parsons

Program Analyst | SAIC

Summer Parsons works as a Program Analyst for the Premier Fortune 500 leading technology information and engineering company in the industry, SAIC She assists in the day-to-day programmatic operations regarding financial analysis, data analysis, and financial reporting She enjoys problem solving, team building, and finding ways to make the project more efficient as well as assists team members in navigating any project related obstacles they may face In her free time, she enjoys golfing, gardening, and anything to do with being outside Her educational background, attention to detail, and interpersonal skills provide her with the necessary capabilities to excel in the business sector

Haley Patterson

Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO M&S) – Short Intermediate Effectors for Layered Defense (SHIELD) | US Army DEVCOM Aviation and Missile Center

Starting in July 2023, Ms Haley Patterson serves as a test engineer for the Operational Fires Test Division at the Short Intermediate Effectors for Layered Defense (SHIELD) Project Management Office under the Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO M&S) Previously, Ms Patterson was detailed as the Executive Officer for the Executive Director and Software, Simulation, Systems Engineering & Integration (S3I) Director of the Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC) from July 2022 to June 2023 Before her detail assignments, Ms Patterson served as a General Engineer for 4 5 years in the Aviation Manufacturing Technology Branch under the Systems Readiness Directorate (SRD) at DEVCOM AvMC where she specializes in managing advanced manufacturing projects Ms Patterson is also a leader of the AvMC Young Professionals that provides professional development opportunities for new Government employees to learn about capabilities within the organization Ms Patterson holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama and a Master of Engineering Management from Auburn University

Hunter Pearce

Associate | Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Hunter is an associate at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Originally from Southside (Gadsden), Alabama, Hunter graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University, where his final game as a student in Jordan-Hare Stadium was Kick Six against Alabama Hunter’s Auburn roots did not prevent him from attending law school at The University of Alabama School of Law, where he served as Editor in Chief of the Alabama Law Review and graduated magna cum laude Following law school, he clerked for Hon W Keith Watkins, Hon Myron H Thompson, and Hon W Harold Albritton III of the U S District Court for the Middle District of Alabama in Montgomery Hunter then moved to Huntsville to work at Bradley, where his practice involves complex and appellate litigation Hunter is a co-founder of the first Huntsville chapter of The Federalist Society He is also actively involved at his church, Westminster Presbyterian

Sara Radloff

Radar Frequency Engineer | Torch Technologies

Sara Radloff is a Radar Frequency Engineer at Torch Technologies with five years of experience analyzing radars She graduated with her undergraduate degree from The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 2016 with a double major in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics After working in an industrial setting for two years, Sara moved to Huntsville and joined the thriving defense industry She received a masters in Electrical Engineering with a focus on radar at The University of Alabama in Huntsville in May 2022 and continues her passion for learning in her current role In her personal time, Sara enjoys planning trips by learning about destinations, activities, and restaurants While in Huntsville, Sara enjoys finding the best local restaurants to recommend for any occasion

Kyser Samples

Asset & Property Management | Samples Properties Commercial Real Estate LLC

Kyser Samples is a skilled business professional from Huntsville, AL He graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2017 and served on the executive board for the Rotaract Club of Huntsville for two years In 2022, Kyser earned his Certified Property Manager designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management, reflecting his expertise in real estate management

Kyser has worked at Samples Properties for six years and played a significant role in managing over 2 million square feet of office, industrial, and retail space He is also an active member of his community, regularly volunteering his time to support local charities and causes With his business acumen and civic-mindedness, Kyser is a valuable asset to any organization and a respected member of the Huntsville community

Ben Sams

Tax Manager | Warren Averett CPAs & Advisors

Ben is a proud Huntsville native who serves as a Tax Manager at Warren Averett CPAs & Advisors He has been with the firm for six years after graduating from both Auburn University and the University of South Alabama He has experience serving clients in industries such as biotechnology, government contracting and manufacturing His main focuses are the research and development tax credit and mergers & acquisitions For 12 years, he has served as a volunteer for Special Camps and now also serves on the Board of Directors for ESG Foundation This foundation provides camping experiences for individuals with special needs of all ages and is a year-round advocate for the special needs community

Courtni Sedlacek

Owner/Operator | The Sedlacek Company

Courtni Sedlacek is an Alabama native and Owner/Operator of The Sedlacek Company, an Organizational Management Company that specializes in assisting small start-ups with their organizational management needs She's spent fifteen years in Huntsville's Home Educators Community and has a passion for community involvement She served for several years on the board of the local non-profit Timeless Homeschool Events, organizing Prom, dances, and graduation ceremonies for homeschooling families Although homeschooling was the direction Courtni chose for her children, she herself attended Alabama public schools and desires that all parents, students, and teachers are supplied with the resources they need to succeed Today you can find her working as a Learning Coach at Valley Leadership Academy, a secular hybrid school, where her two youngest children attend while oldest is away at UAB She married to her hero, Michael who is a Captain at Madison Fire

Director of Marketing & Communications | Greater Huntsville

Humane Society

Rochelle Sexton is the Director of Marketing & Communication for the Greater Huntsville Humane Society (GHHS) In this role she leads marketing strategies for the shelter through event planning, social media, and community partnerships Her responsibilities also include grant writing, press releases, and public communication

Rochelle began her passion in animal rescue with GHHS in April 2016 as a dedicated foster and volunteer Over the years she has served as the Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator and Marketing & Communication Strategist

She holds a master’s degree in professional communication from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she is currently a part-time lecturer

Allie Shepard

Rochelle Sexton Benefit Specialist | Huntsville Hospital

Allie is a Benefits Specialist at Huntsville Hospital where she has worked since 2017 She graduated with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Public Health Education from the University of Alabama She is passionate about animal welfare and social issues She has volunteered for various animal rescues in North Alabama since 2005 and has a menagerie of pets herself She is also a member of the Junior League of Huntsville In her free time she enjoys going to concerts, traveling, and spending time outdoors

Todd Smitherman

Project Manager | Robins & Morton

Todd is a manager within the local Huntsville construction industry where he seeks to serve clients and the local community with a servant's heart As an Alabama native, he has a vested interested in improving not only the local Huntsville area and State as a whole He and his wife Jennifer live in Madison, attend Cross Pointe church and in their spare time they are active with youth soccer and baseball Together they have three children Kennedy, Jack and Charlotte

Amber Turner

Project Manager | Limestone County Economic Development Association

Amber Turner, Project Manager of Limestone County Economic Development Association has over 20 years of experience in workforce development and human resource management She works to attract and assist in the recruitment of domestic and international businesses in Limestone County and expand LCEDA’s existing industry visitation and retention support initiatives Turner was appointed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship Council in 2019 She and her husband, Johnny, live in Athens with 4-year-old Charlotte During her limited spare time, Amber loves to organize, spend time with family, and read

DawnTurner

Partnership Engagements Manager | NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Ms Turner recently became the Partnership Engagements Manager for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Prior to this position she was a Project Manager for the NASA Centennial Challenges Program engaging the public in the advancement of technology development She also supported Marshall’s Human Resources as a Training Consultant with a special interest in leadership and organizational development and began her career at NASA as an Educational Specialist engaging students and teachers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Prior to working at NASA, Ms Turner taught science at Huntsville High School Before teaching at Huntsville High, she was a Pharmaceutical Representative for Abbott Laboratories serving doctors and patients across North Alabama

When not working, Ms Turner enjoys being a professional coach to help others in their professional and life journey, mentoring younger employees, and spending time with her family

AnnjeanetteWalker

Auditor | US Department of Army Aviation and Missile Command

Ms Walker is the external liaison audit team leader for the Internal Review and Audit Compliance Office at the US Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) She began her career in state government as a performance evaluator for the Mississippi PEER Committee, a standing committee of the Mississippi Legislature At the request of the MS Legislature, she reviewed various state programs and operations and provided recommendations for improving efficiency and accountability She began her federal government career as an accounting intern which led to promotions in finance and accounting, earned value management, and performance auditing In her current position, she provides audit liaison support to audit agencies such as the Government Accountability Office, the Department of Defense-Inspector General and the Department of Army Audit Agency

Ms Walker holds a BBA from Mississippi State University and an MBA from Alabama A&M University In addition to receiving numerous awards for her civilian service and performance, Ms Walker received the Department of the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for her outstanding contribution and personal commitment to the AMCOM Financial Improvement Audit Readiness mission and is Level III Certified in Financial Management

Ms Walker is active in her local church and volunteers with numerous community service programs She enjoys traveling, reading, and is an avid sports fan Ms Walker currently resides in Madison, AL

JoAnna Weesner

Manager, Digital Channels Experience | Redstone Federal Credit Union

JoAnna, a native of North Alabama, has over 15 years of experience in the financial industry She has worked at a number of community driven organizations, to include Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union and currently serves as the Manager of Digital Channels Experience at Redstone Federal Credit Union

JoAnna enjoys spending time with her two young boys and husband In her free time, she enjoys watching her oldest play soccer and chasing after her two adorable dogs

Cortney Wray

MxU Success Manager | Google Fiber

Cortney Wray has been a part of the Huntsville community since 2018 after graduating from the University of North Alabama in Florence, AL with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Professional Marketing She worked on a travel assignment with Tetra Tech in Angels Camp, California before her first opportunity in the Huntsville area with SCSWorx Moving forward, she became involved in the apartment industry with Watermark at Bridge Street and The Collins She is now the Huntsville MxU Success Manager for Google Fiber

Cortney enjoys being involved in the Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce, AANA, and Greater Huntsville/Madison County UNA Alumni board Outside of her professional life, you can find Cortney out & about with her Mini Aussie-Doodle, Reesie, trying local restaurants and catching concerts with friends, or playing tennis She’s excited to see what the future holds for the City of Huntsville!