Board Of Directors

Officers

Allen Simpson

President
Hargrove Engineers & Constructors

Allen Simpson Bio

Allen Simpson serves as Division Operations Leader for Hargrove’s Mobile Division, responsible for the leadership and performance of nearly 400 Teammates. With over 33 years of experience as an engineering and manufacturing professional, Simpson possesses multi-functional experience in leading and managing projects, maintenance, and operations across a wide range of asset technologies and organizational structures. Prior to joining the Hargrove Team in 2009, he served in multiple technical and leadership roles across the southeastern US for Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Additionally, he serves on the board for the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center. Allen and his wife Laurie moved to the Eastern Shore in 2001 where they raised their three sons. The Simpsons currently reside in Spanish Fort. A native of Central Florida and after several years in the Memphis area, he attended and received his Mechanical Engineering Degree from Mississippi State University.

Michael "Gene" Rader

Vice President
High-Purity Silicon America Corporation (HSA)

Michael "Gene" Rader Bio

Michael Rader, is the Safety, Health and Environmental Manager at High Purity Silicon America Corporation. He previousy served in the role of Safety, Health and Environmental Specialist since 2010. Michael previously owned a consulting/training service providing OSHA, EPA, HazMat, Rescue, and EMT training in the industrial environment for local companies and countries such as Russia, Oman, Qatar, Philippines, and Vietnam. He has held the role of Safety Manager with multiple companies in Mobile County and South Mississippi.

Carmen Pino

Secretary/Treasurer
Outokumpu Stainless USA

Carmen Pino Bio

Carmen Pino was named Senior Vice President of Sales of Outokumpu Americas in June 2019. Carmen is responsible for leading the Americas’ commercial activities including a field-based sales team, inside sales team and back office, technical engineering, and marketing. Carmen also serves as a member of Outokumpu Americas’ Management team and Business Area Board. Carmen joined Outokumpu from BP where he served as Vice President of International Key Accounts and a member of the BP Global Account Management Leadership team. During his 26 years at BP, Carmen served in a number of global sales and operational management roles, including as Sales and Marketing Director for Castrol’s lubricants businesses in North America, South America, the Middle East and Asia. Before joining Castrol, Carmen served as a Captain in Military Intelligence and as an Army Ranger in various leadership roles in the US, Germany and the Middle East. Carmen has received many awards including a Bronze Start Medal for his service as a platoon leader in Operation Desert Storm with the Third Armored Division. Carmen sits on several community boards including the Advisory Board for Niagara University’s College of Business, MSCI’s Specialty Metals Council and Risk and Change Management, Inc. Carmen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the United States Military Academy (West Point) and a Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management.

Members

Jason Brasfield

Airbus

Jason Brasfield Bio

Jason Brasfield serves as the Head of Sustainability and Environment for the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility located in Mobile, Alabama. In this role he is responsible for the implementation of the sustainability goals and the overall environmental management of the growing site. He joined Airbus in 2019 after serving 14 years in environmental education and industry support at the University of Alabama. In that role he assisted small business with environmental compliance and established training programs centered on ISO14001. Other aspects of Jason’s environmental career has including laboratory analysis, real estate due diligence, as well as soil and groundwater remediation while working as a consultant out of the Birmingham, Alabama area. Jason holds a bachelor degree from the University of Alabama and a Master of Science in Environmental Management through Samford University. When joining Airbus Jason and his family settled in Daphne, Alabama and love being part of the community.

Tom Damson

Long's Human
Resource Services

Tom Damson Bio

Tom Damson is a principle and past president of Long’s Human Resource Services and was born and raised in Mobile. A graduate of the University of Alabama, he is also a Certified Personnel Consultant. A retired Army Aviator and Vietnam veteran, he formerly served on various community boards including the Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, BBB, Mitchell School of Business advisory board, Mobile Chamber of Commerce, is a past president of PEP, and currently serves on the executive committees of Temporary Services Insurance Limited and the Captive Investors Fund which are Cayman domiciled companies.

Avalisha Fisher

Driven Engineering, Inc.

Avalisha Fisher Bio

Avalisha is the sole owner and President of Driven Engineering, Inc., a civil engineering, environmental consulting and land planning firm. She has worked in the civil engineering field since 1989 in the Mobile and Baldwin County area. Avalisha was raised in Fairhope, Alabama and graduated from Fairhope High School. Avalisha graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Cum Laude B.S. in Civil Engineering. She is a member of Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, and AREMA. She serves on two AREMA committees that are constantly updating the AREMA manuals that govern the construction and operation of rail facilities across the US.

Bryant Hitson

Ex officio
Burr Forman

K. Bryant Hitson Bio

Bryant is a partner in the Mobile office where he practices in the firm's Construction & Project Development group. Before joining Burr & Forman, Bryant practiced at a boutique law firm in the Mobile area. Bryant’s background includes experience in general insurance defense, motor vehicle litigation, and trucking litigation. Bryant obtained his JD from the University of Alabama School of Law and earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Alabama. While in law school, Bryant served as Junior and Senior Editor for the 65th and 66th Volumes of the Alabama Law Review, was a member of the Alabama National Trial Team and Alabama Bench and Bar Society and was awarded the Henderson M. Somerville Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Legal Profession.

Jacob Huffstutler

Spire

Jacob Huffstutler Bio

As Senior Representative of Business Development for Spire, Jacob Huffstutler oversees initiatives aimed at organic growth and retention within the large commercial and industrial sectors throughout the Greater Gulf Coast region of Alabama and the Pine Belt region of Mississippi. Jacob became a member of Spire in 2015, taking on the role of engineer. Throughout his tenure at Spire, which includes his experience with Mobile Gas, he has held numerous positions, establishing a broad network of partners and acquaintances across various industries and professions. Jacob continues to play a crucial role in expanding Spire's customer base, enhancing sales volume, and boosting revenue. He is dedicated to fostering significant and purposeful relationships that create a positive impact, both personally and professionally. Jacob holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Auburn University and a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University of Shreveport. In addition, he is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Alabama. His professional organization and trade involvement over the years includes American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air- Conditioning Engineers, and various local Chambers of Commerce. He is currently is a board member for the Chickasaw Chamber of Commerce.

Ritchie R. Hurt

Thompson Engineering

Ritchie R. Hurt Bio

As Manager of Business Development for Thompson Engineering and Watermark Design Group since 2002, Ritchie is active in all aspects of new business development and the entire process surrounding project development and long-term client relationships. Daily activities include any number of internal and external duties related to supporting and increasing the visibility of Thompson Engineering and Watermark Design Group. Ritchie is a graduate of the University of Montevallo and of The Economic Development Institute. Professional associations he is a member of include the Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA), Manufacture Alabama, Japan America Society of Alabama (JASA), Association of Builders and Contractors (ABC), Association of General Contractors (AGC), Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance. He has also served as a Board member for Junior Achievement, BBVA Bank Business Development Board member, Camping Committee Chairman for the Boy Scouts, Mobile County Republic Executive Committee Member, Workforce Strategic Planning Committee and a graduate of Leadership Mobile, Class of 1997. Ritchie and his wife, Ashley Rich Hurt, have two children, Ryan (19), serving our country in the United States Air Force and Madelyn (16).

Taylor Imel

Ex officio
SSAB Enterprises

Taylor Imel Bio

Taylor Imel serves as a Senior Analyst in Supply Chain Sustainability for SSAB Enterprises LLC. He has been with SSAB since 2021 focusing on sustainability initiatives within procurement. He works with responsible sourcing initiatives, scope 3 emissions tracking and reductions, global directive compliance and governance, and sustainable collaboration with suppliers. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and statistics from the University of South Alabama. Taylor is a proud Mobile native who is active in the Mobile community and historic neighborhood in which he resides. He is a member of the Young Professionals of Mobile. He is also a graduate of the United Way's Connect Mobile Leadership Development Program Class of 2023 which sparked his desire to invest more time and servitude into Mobile's community that he loves so dearly.

Neil Johnston

Hand Arendall
Harrison Sale LLC

Neil Johnston Bio

Neil C. Johnston (Sr.) is a Member in the Mobile, Alabama office of Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC, in the Real Estate, Land Use and Timber Practice Group. Neil is a graduate of Southwestern at Memphis (Rhodes College) (1975), the University of Alabama School of Law (1978 – Roll Tide), and attended University College, Oxford, England. Neil works with clients regarding the legal and practicable solutions to issues; the recreational and commercial use and misuse of sUAVs (and the proper way to shoot a drone . . . with consequences), as well as contracts and policies; the acquisition, need and conservation of “Liquid Real Estate . . . No Water – No Development;” title, permitting and compliance matters (including environmental and natural resources development, extraction and production); surface and subsurface uses, leases, and easements; and coastal, riparian and submerged land issues affecting ownership, use, development and redevelopment. Water, wetlands, timber, endangered species, oysters, turkeys, sUAVs, cane poles and crickets are constant companions. Neil practices law where he practices life . . . and has fun doing so, sharing and discovering everyday miracles of our coastal environment. Prior to joining PEP’s Board of Directors, Neil received PEP’s Community Partner Award in 2009.

Carey Lancaster

Hancock Whitney Bank

Carey Lancaster Bio

Carey Lancaster is a Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking at Hancock Whitney Bank. He has been with the bank since 2007 and in the Financial Services industry for 29 years. His undergraduate degree in Business Management was obtained from Florida State University and MBA from University of South Alabama. Carey has been involved in various organizations throughout his career, including Salvation Army, Kiwanis, United Way and Chambers of Commerce. He has been a board member of Mobile Christian School for a number of years and is the current Treasurer of the executive board. He has been married to Kathryn Lancaster for the past 28 years and has a son and daughter.

Christopher McFarland

FMC

Christopher McFarland Bio

Chris is the Plant Manager for FMC’s Mobile Manufacturing Center, responsible for all aspects of the site’s EHS and production portfolios. He has been in the manufacturing arena for nearly 20 years working with different companies in the area. Prior to his current role, Chris has held positions within FMC such as Technical Manager and Molecule Guardian. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Texas A&M University as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from the University of Arkansas. Texas natives, Chris and his wife, Jennifer Lea McFarland, moved to the Mobile area nearly 20 years ago. They have 3 children, Dalton (23) currently working in the chemical industry, Dylan (21) attending college at Millsaps College and Dominic (18) attending college at Auburn University in their Air Force ROTC program.

Kelly Miears

Evonik

Kelly Miears Bio

Kelly Miears assumed the role of Communications Specialist at Evonik in 2022. Her primary focus is communications support for Evonik's Mobile and Birmingham, Ala. facilities. Prior to this role, she worked in the area of IT Communications and Marketing with a focus in technical writing, digital learning, and development. Kelly earned her B.A. in English from Springhill College in Mobile, Ala. In addition to PEP, she is a member of the Manufacture Alabama Communications Subcommittee and the South Mobile Industrial Alliance.

Kristen Mosley

ArcelorMittal Calvert

Kristen Mosley Bio

Kristen is a communications and corporate responsibility leader at ArcelorMittal Calvert, where she focuses on aligning brand messaging with corporate values, enhancing internal and external stakeholder engagement, and promoting good corporate citizenship. With 26 years of experience as a Creative Service Director in broadcast television, Kristen brings a wealth of expertise in creativity and design. Her strategic vision and innovative approach have consistently driven successful campaigns and brand identities. Now, she applies her skills to shaping corporate messaging that resonates with both internal and external audiences, fostering a culture of responsibility and integrity.

Hayden Olds

Olds Filtration

Hayden Olds Bio

Hayden Olds is President of Olds Filtration, a distributor of industrial filtration products and air pollution control systems. Hayden is a graduate of Fairhope High School and earned his B.A. in Business Management from Huntingdon College in 1990. He joined the family business soon after graduation. A lifelong resident of Baldwin County, Hayden and his wife, Felicia, reside in Fairhope with their two children. An avid outdoorsman, Hayden serves as a volunteer and supports various coastal and wildlife conservation organizations.

Catherine Reaves

Alabama Port Authority

Catherine Reaves Bio

Catherine Reaves is the Vice President of Policy and State Affairs for the Alabama Port Authority. She is a graduate of Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, and she holds a degree in Public Administration from Auburn University. Following graduation from law school in 2016, Catherine moved to Mobile where she served as a law clerk for the Honorable Sarah Stewart of Alabama’s 13th Judicial Circuit. At the conclusion of her clerkship, Catherine pursued a career in government relations, first working as the District Administrator for Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson where she focused on local government and community relations. She later became Associate Director of Governmental Relations for the University of South Alabama, handling federal, state and local matters, before joining the Port Authority in 2022. Catherine is very involved in the Mobile community and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Dauphin Way United Methodist Church Child Development Center and the Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama. She has previously volunteered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Neighbors Program, the Connie Hudson Mobile Regional Senior Community Center Foundation, Children’s Policy Council and Love Your Community.

Danette Richards

Mobile Chamber

Dannette Richards Bio

Danette Richards is the Sr. Director of Small Business Development for the Mobile Chamber. In this role she is responsible for small business programs and services including business consulting services, business development assistance, business skills training workshops, seminars and conferences. Prior, she was the director of the Women’s Business Center of Southern Alabama. She has worked in large corporations, small companies and has been self-employed. Danette has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as the Women in Business Champion in both the state of Alabama and in SBA Region IV, consisting of 10 southeastern states. She received her M.S. in Instructional Design Technology and B.A. in Organizational Communication from University of Memphis. She is a graduate of Leadership Mobile and the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management. Danette is a founding board member of the Alabama Microenterprise Network, serves on the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network board, and the RAMP Leadership board, (Real Advice Mentoring Program). She is a member of the Mobile West Rotary Club, and the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Colin Rutledge

Dunn Building Company

Colin Rutledge Bio

Colin Rutledge is a Senior Project Manager and Estimator at Dunn Building Company, LLC, where he leads the planning and delivery of complex manufacturing, industrial, and commercial construction projects along the Gulf Coast. Since joining Dunn in 2015, Colin has overseen some of Dunn’s most high-profile work across both design-build and traditional delivery methods from its Gulf Coast office. A graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Construction Engineering Technology, Colin brings more than 17 years of experience across general contracting. His diverse background in project management, field operations, and project controls enables him to lead with both strategic insight and on-the-ground expertise. Colin is a graduate of Dunn University’s IMPACT program and has completed extensive professional development through FMI (Fails Management Institute). His leadership in the construction industry earned him recognition as one of Alabama AGC and Business Alabama’s “Top 40 Under 40.” Deeply rooted in the Mobile community, Colin is active in local civic and professional organizations. He and his wife, Morgan, reside in the Old Dauphin Way Historic District with their three daughters—Amelia, Mary Davis, and Elowyn.

John Shoemaker

BASF

John Shoemaker Bio

John Shoemaker is the Asset and Reliability Manager for the BASF site located in Mcintosh, AL.  He has been in the chemical and mining industry for 26 years.  He has held various positions in operations management in Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Alabama.  A native of Mobile Al, John holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of South Alabama.  John and his wife Nicole and 5 children reside in Spanish Fort, AL where they enjoy spending time with family and fishing.

Lesleigh Smith

Performance Contractors

Lesleigh Smith Bio

Lesleigh Smith has been the Director of Workforce Development for the Southeast Division of Performance Contractors, Inc. in Mobile, Alabama since 2012. Her focus is to recruit our future workforce into the construction industry; working extensively with grade school, high school, technical and post-secondary students to encourage and guide them on pathways to a life sustaining career. She brings thirty (30) years of experience to the construction industry and serves the on the Board of Directors for Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council (12 years), Southwest Alabama Partnership for Training and Employment (5 years, current Chair), Central Gulf Industrial Alliance (5 years), and the Baldwin County Education Coalition (5 years, Served as Chair 2 years and Current Immediate Past Chair. Lesleigh has been married to her husband David since 2007. In their spare time they enjoy traveling, working in their greenhouse and spending time with friends and family.

Dr. John Steadman

Ex Officio
University of South Alabama

Dr. John Steadman Bio

John W. Steadman, Dean of Engineering at the University of South Alabama, is a native of Cody, Wyoming and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a B.S. in 1964 and an M.S. in 1966 in Electrical Engineering. After obtaining his M.S. degree, Dr. Steadman was employed by General Dynamics in San Diego, working on astronaut life support systems as a life sciences research engineer. He received a Ph.D. from Colorado State University in 1971 and joined the faculty at UW. Dr. Steadman was a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the United States Air Force Academy in 1997-98. He served as Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Associate Dean of Engineering at UW. A licensed professional engineer, Dr. Steadman served sixteen years on Wyoming’s State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors at the request of three different governors. At the national level, Dr. Steadman has risen to positions of leadership of the National Council for Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (President – 1993), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers – USA (President – 2004), the Order of the Engineer (Chairman – 2002-2003), and the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (Team Chair – 1996-2002). Technology (Team Chair – 1996-2002). Locally, John serves on the boards for The Exploreum and Alabama School of Math and Science. He recently served the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce as Vice Chairman for Economic Development.

Steve Stewart

Past President
SCS Engineers

Steve Stewart Bio

Steve Stewart is the National Director of Sustainability at SCS Engineers, Inc and is responsible for project development, key client account manager, and business development. He is a Registered Professional Engineer and Project Manager Professional and has been responsible for strategic site selection and due diligence on multiple high profile projects including site development, permitting, construction, and commissioning activities. He has spent over 22 years in the Engineering, Environmental, and Consulting before joining SCS Engineers. He is a native Mobilian, graduating with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1999 from the University of South Alabama. In 2009, Mr. Stewart was selected as the Mobile Area’s Young Engineer of the Year and also the Young Engineer of the Year by the Alabama State Society of Professional Engineers. He is married to Angela Stewart for 21 years having three daughters, the oldest is a registered nurse, the middle an architecture student, and youngest is a dance student. Steve is an active member at Eastern Shore Baptist Church.

Matthew Stone

APM Terminals

Matthew Stone Bio

Matthew Stone is the APM Terminals Mobile HSSE Director. He is a US Army Veteran and attended Texas A&M (Maritime Business Administration, B.S.) Matthew has been with APM Terminals since 2006 as part of their global network of container handling terminal operators. He has collaborated on APMT safety teams that represent over 75 terminals worldwide. His experience includes terminal management operations in Los Angeles and Mobile with both the ILWU and ILA Labor Unions. He's been in the HSSE role since 2018 with a focus on operational process safety, federal waterfront facility security, and environmental reporting/standards/sustainability responsibilities. He places a high priority to the local Gulf Coast communities by ensuring he enables APM Terminals to be a good citizen that is able to grow over the next decade in a responsible and sustainable manner to our environment. Matthew has lived on the Eastern Shore in Spanish Fort with his wife Carolina and 2 daughters since 2008.

Beth Thomas

Alabama Power

Beth Thomas Bio

Beth Thomas is External Affairs Manager with Alabama Power. She joined the Southern Company in 1990 and has worked in various roles within Public Relations and External Affairs at Southern Company and Alabama Power. Beth has been in her current role since 2011. In Mobile, she serves on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Southwest Alabama, the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, Distinguished Young Women and the VIA Senior Center. Beth holds a double major from Troy University in Journalism and Public Relations.

Jordan Tinnell

Ex officio
LEMOINE Program Services

Jordan Tinnell Bio

Jordan Tinnell is a Senior Program Manager with Lemoine, who has recently expanded to the Mobile and Gulf Coast region. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama. His experience includes projects in various industries including aviation, commercial, energy, industrial, telecommunications, the public sector, transportation, and water/wastewater. After graduation he worked for Crowder Construction Company in Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. Prior to joining Lemoine, he worked with Hoar Program Management (HPM) to support the Airbus Single Aisle Ramp Up (SARU) Final Assembly Line Expansion in Mobile, AL. Originally from Athens, Georgia, he now lives in Mobile with his wife, a Mobile native, and his daughter. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors, golfing, attending sporting events, and being with friends and family.

Clay Turner

Ranger Environmental
Services, LLC

Clay Turner Bio

Clay Turner serves as the Senior Environmental Engineer for Ranger Environmental Services, LLC, headquartered in Mobile, AL. Contributing to the growth of Ranger Environmental , Clay successfully diversified the company’s market into the industrial, maritime and construction sectors. He is a graduate of UMS-Wright Preparatory School and the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering. During his time at the University of Alabama, he was an accomplished athlete on the men’s Collegiate Rowing Team. Prior to Ranger Environmental, Clay worked for Mercedes-Benz US International Assembly Plant in Vance, AL where he was tasked with the implementation of several environmental initiatives. He currently serves on the YCF Steering Committee for the Associated General Contractors. A Mobile native, Clay is married to Ms. Madeline Chesnard of Atlanta, Ga. The Turners reside in Fairhope, AL.

Spencer Wiggins

United Community Bank

Spencer Wiggins Bio

Spencer Wiggins is a Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking at United Community Bank. He has held positions in retail banking, business banking, and commercial banking. Spencer holds a B.S.B.A. (graduated cum laude) in Finance / Banking and Depository Institutions from the University of South Alabama where he was also a member of the Jaguar baseball team. Spencer is a member of the Mobile Section of Associated General Contractors, member of the Construction Leadership Council, board member of Southern Development Council, previous board member of the Alabama Leadership Bankers, and former United Way loan executive. Spencer has also been an assistant varsity baseball coach at Bayside Academy and the head middle school baseball coach at St. Paul’s.