Board Of Directors

Officers

Steve Stewart

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.

Allen Simpson

Vice 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

Secretary/Treasurer
High-Purity Silicon America Corporation (HSA)

Michael "Gene" Rader Bio

Michael Rader, before being recently promoted to Safety, Health and Environmental Manager has been employed at Mitsubishi Polysilicon since 2010 as the Safety, Health and Environmental Specialist. 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.

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.

Connie Buskness

Evonik

Connie Buskness Bio

Connie Buskness is the Director of Environmental, Health, Safety, Security and Quality for North America Technology and Infrastructure at Evonik. In this role, she is responsible for supporting Evonik’s largest site in North America, located in Mobile, as well as operating the Center of Excellence for EHSSQ services to support more than 40 Evonik sites across the continent. Connie holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University as well as an MBA from Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business. A Texas native, she has been in the manufacturing and chemical industry for more than 20 years. Connie and her husband Eric live in Mobile, AL with their two teenage daughters. They enjoy spending their time off enjoying the great outdoors and beaches in Coastal Alabama.

Courtney Coward

Spire

Courtney Coward Bio

Courtney joined Spire in 2008 in a marketing and communications capacity and in her time with Spire, including Mobile Gas, she has served in a variety of roles building an extensive network of partners and friends across many industries and professions. Courtney remains an integral part of increasing Spire’s customer base, sales volume, and revenue and is passionate about cultivating meaningful and purposeful relationships that make a difference, both personally and professionally. Courtney holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL, and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Arizona. In addition, she holds an economic development certification from Auburn University and was the first-ever recipient of the prestigious “Move the Needle” award from Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, in recognition of her exemplary performance. She also successfully completed Spire’s “Fuel your Perspective” leadership development program and upon completion was asked to remain as a mentor for future employees chosen to participate in the program. Her professional organization and trade involvement over the years includes Mobile Association for the Blind, Public Relations Council of Alabama-Mobile Chapter, Advertising Federation of Alabama-Mobile Chapter, Economic Development Association of Alabama, and various local Chambers of Commerce. She has also served on various boards, including the Chickasaw Chamber of Commerce, Professional Women in Building, Mobile and Baldwin County Home Builders Associations, and the Southern Gas Association-Communications Board.

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.

Bill Daniels

Ex officio
Burr Forman

Bill Daniels Bio

Bill Daniels is an AV rated attorney with significant experience in all aspects of corporate representation with a strong focus in construction, economic development, project delivery, environmental, and government contracting. He represents a significant percentage of the manufacturing and construction industry in the Mobile area. An avid oyster farmer, he understands the importance of preserving natural resources in a responsible and reasonable manner. A retired military officer, he has also served in a variety of demanding and diverse assignments including serving as the Staff Judge Advocate for the Special Operations Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (the Counter-ISIS mission) while stationed in the Middle East.

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.

Allan Gustin

Dunn Building Company

Allan Gustin Bio

Allan Gustin holds a B.S. from the University of Southern Mississippi in Building Construction Technology (1989). With over thirty years of experience in various types of general contracting, including design-build, manufacturing, industrial, health care, institutional, retail, multi-family, and high-rise residential. Allan is a past president and current board member of the Partners for Environmental Progress and currently serves as an officer and board of directors member for the Associated General Contractors of Alabama Mobile Section. Allan also served as Past President of the Associated Builders and Contractors Mid-Gulf Chapter.

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).

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.

Kristen Mosley

AM/NS Calvert

Kristen Mosley Bio

Kristen is a communications and corporate responsibility leader at AM/NS 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.

Carmen Pino

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.

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.

John Shoemaker

Asset and Reliability Manager
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.

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.

Jennifer Tremayne

Mobile Chamber

Jennifer Tremayne Bio

Jennifer joined the Mobile Chamber’s Economic Development team as Existing Industry Manager in 2022. Her role is to connect local businesses to the resources and support they need to succeed and to help advance new opportunities for business growth. She represents the Chamber on several community advisory boards and industry councils. A Certified Economic Development Finance Professional, Jennifer has nearly 20 years of experience in Economic Development encouraging job growth and investment. She is a Mobile native and holds a B.A. from Birmingham-Southern College. In her free time, she is a volunteer Board member for the Village of Spring Hill and enjoys improving her neighborhood and community. She is married to her husband, Richard, and has two young adult stepsons.

Clay Turner

Ranger Environmental
Services, LLC

Clay Turner Bio

Clay Turner serves as the Senior Environmental Engineer for Ranger Environmental Services, LLC, headquatered 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

Past President
United Community

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.