Kim Adams, Attorney at Law and Governmental Advisor to ATP

Kim Adams grew up in Hurtsboro, Alabama. She earned a BA from Auburn University and also received the degree of Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law.
Before starting Kimberly H. Adams, P.C. in 2001, Kim served as Special Council to Chief Justice Perry Hooper during his tenure as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Kim also acted as Legislative Liaison for the Alabama Unified Judicial System, as well as the liaison to the Executive Branch and other state agencies.
During her tenure in state government, Kim gained a thorough understanding of government and judicial operations. Her in-depth knowledge includes state budgets and the complexities of Alabama’s tax structure. Prior to working with Alabama’s Judicial System, Kim practiced law in Montgomery and Elmore Counties. She is also permitted to practice in the United States Federal Court in the Middle District of Alabama.
Kim started Kimberly H. Adams, P.C. and Adams & Associates, LLC in 2000 and has represented an array of contract clients before the Alabama Legislature, State agencies, regulatory boards and commissions, and city governments. She has provided comprehensive legislative and legal support for clients regularly passing proactive legislation, monitoring state agencies as well as the executive and judicial branches of government.

Chris Blankenship, Commissioner, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Chris Blankenship is the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), appointed by Governor Kay Ivey in May of 2017.  He has been with DCNR since 1994, when he joined the Department as a Conservation Enforcement Officer in the Marine Resources Division.

Chris serves on many boards and commissions and is Chairman of the Forever Wild Land Trust Board, and Chairman of the Innovate Alabama Council on Outdoor Recreation.  Chris also serves on the Alabama Trails Commission and the Alabama Historical Commission.

He oversees a department with more than 1200 employees that includes the Alabama State Parks, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, State Lands and Marine Resources Divisions.

Since 2017, ADCNR has invested more than $525 million in outdoor recreation improvements in Alabama.  This includes more than $300 million in state park enhancements such as new Lodge Hotels at Gulf State Park and Cheaha State Park; more than 100 miles of new hiking, biking and kayak trails; $76 million in beach renourishment and access; more than 50 boating access improvement projects; major artificial reef enhancements; and other improvements making Alabama one of the top destinations for outdoor recreation in the country.

Grey Brennan, Deputy Director, Alabama Tourism Department

Grey Brennan joined the Alabama Tourism Department in 2001. He serves as the department’s Deputy Director and head of the marketing department. Under Brennan’s leadership, Alabama’s international marketing program has grown from just one country to multiple international markets. In addition, Alabama had the #1 growth rate in the nation for international visitors between 2008 and 2018. Brennan established a program to showcase the state’s step-on guides at select tourism trade shows to continuously grow the domestic group tour market. Brennon holds both Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Alabama in marketing and communications. Prior to joining the Alabama Tourism Department, Brennan worked in the broadcasting industry in the state.

Matthew Capps, Director, Alabama State Parks

Matthew Capps serves as the Director of Alabama State Parks, overseeing the management and operation of 21 state parks encompassing more than 48,000 acres of public recreation land. Since his appointment in 2024, he has led initiatives to enhance park sustainability, including the development of a comprehensive capital improvement plan and the implementation of a modernized reservation system. His strategic focus is on optimizing park operations to ensure long-term financial stability while maintaining high-quality visitor experiences.

With over 15 years of experience in park operations and grounds management, Capps has worked across the non-profit, municipal, and private sectors. Prior to joining the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, he served as Executive Director of the Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board, Senior Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Mobile, and General Manager of Landscape Workshop in Montgomery-Auburn.

Capps holds a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture and Community Planning and a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Horticulture, both from Auburn University.

John David, President and CEO Sports Events and Tourism Association

John David is a nationally recognized leader in the sports events and tourism industry, bringing more than two decades of experience in strategy, growth, and community impact. As President and CEO of the Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), the trade association dedicated exclusively to sports events and tourism, John is shaping the future of an industry that generates more than $52 billion annually in direct spending across the United States.
Since assuming the role in 2023, John has led Sports ETA through a period of historic growth and innovation. In just his first two years, the association has seen membership grow by more than 20%, member retention increased by 7%, and live event participation surge by double-digit percentage points, a testament to his vision for expanding engagement and delivering greater value to members.
Prior to joining Sports ETA, John served 25 years with USA BMX, where he was instrumental in transforming the organization into the world’s largest sanctioning body for the sport of BMX racing. His tenure included leading the successful bid to bring BMX’s international headquarters and training facility to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and playing a pivotal role in the sport’s Olympic debut.
A frequent keynote speaker and thought leader, John has been featured at national and international conferences, sharing insights on trends shaping the sports tourism industry. John serves on the City of Chandler Parks and Recreation Board and has received numerous industry awards. Most recently John was named one of the most Influential Event Professionals for 2024 by Northstar Media Group, and Sports ETA Rights Holder of the Year in 2021.
John resides in Chandler, Arizona, with his wife and three daughters.

Kimberly DeLape, Executive Director Children’s Museum of the Shoals and The Studio Magazine

Kimberly DeLape is a creative strategist. curator, and community-focused leader known for blending storytelling. design. and purpose-driven growth. Her career spans beauty. publishing. nonprofit leadership. fashion, experiential branding. and creative direction. bringing clarity. momentum. and vision to organizations and brands seeking meaningful transformation.

She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of the Shoals. where she is leading a comprehensive rebranding and revitalization of the museum. Under her leadership. the museum has undergone significant enhancements—from refreshed exhibits and improved facilities to expanded community partnerships and innovative fundraising initiatives—all designed to elevate the museum as a premier destination for learning. imagination. and family engagement. Her leadership has already resulted in visible growth. renewed community excitement. and a strong trajectory for the museum’s Mure.

Kimberly is also a partner at The Rausch Collective. where she works alongside photographer and creative director Robert Rausch to shape brands. publications. and immersive experiences with cultural relevance and long-term vision. She plays a central role in strategic development. advertising sales. partnership cultivation, and content direction for The Studio Journal, an award-winning publication with national distribution and strategic acquisition positioning.

An entrepreneur at heart. Kimberly is the founder of KimberlyDeLape.com, a lifestyle and image duration platform centered on personal style. beauty, confidence, and intentional living. She is also the creator of the children’s book aeries Adventures of the Poodle Pack. which encourages empathy. bravery. and unconditional love in young readers.

With more than 35 years of experience in the fashion. beauty. and design industries. Kimberly has worked extensively in television styling, magazine styling. personal image consulting, and creative direction. Her diverse background has shaped a unique ability to curate compelling experiences and environments across a wide range of settings and industries.

Across all of her work. Kimberly is recognized for her relationship-driven leadership. strong creative vision. attention to detail. and ability to guide organizations and brands through positive change with integrity. creativity. and purpose.

Greg Fuson, Director of Research, Destination Marketing Research

Greg has been helping clients understand their markets using research for over 30 years. He has developed extensive skills in survey design and management for both quantitative and qualitative areas of research.

Greg has managed studies for a number of national-branded clients, including a stint as the director of research for the Country Music Association. But his passion is in marketing research for tourism destinations and municipalities, and he has worked with more than 180 communities around the country. Some of his clients within this industry include: Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism; Tennessee Department of Tourist Development; Cedarburg, Wisconsin; Stillwater, Oklahoma; Macon, Georgia; Ascension Parrish, Louisiana; Louisiana’s Cajun Coast; Saint Charles, Missouri; Lake Guntersville; The Kentucky Wildlands, and The Northern Outer Banks just to name a few.

Rodney Hall, President FAME Recording Studios and FAME Publishing

Rodney Hall is President of the legendary FAME Recording Studios and FAME Publishing in Florence, Alabama, widely recognized as the birthplace of the Muscle Shoals Sound. He is the son of the late Rick Hall, the pioneering producer who founded FAME Studios and helped shape one of the most influential music movements in American history.

A graduate of the University of North Alabama with a master’s degree from the University of Alabama, Rodney joined FAME in 1991 following a career in corporate technology sales in Huntsville’s aerospace sector. He began as an assistant engineer and publishing assistant and has since worked across every facet of the business, including production, engineering, publishing, administration, and the development of FAME as a global music tourism destination.

Since 1989, Rodney and his brothers Mark and G. Rick, have owned and operated House of FAME and FAME Publishing, building a respected catalog and roster of acclaimed songwriters. Their work includes collaborations with writers such as Jason Isbell, James LeBlanc, Phillip White, Russell Smith, Victoria Banks, Gary Nichols, Kate Campbell, Tony Colton, Darryl Worley, and Dave Gibson.

As the general manager of FAME Studios, Rodney has worked with a wide range of artists including Clarence Carter, Candi Staton, Gregg Allman, Alicia Keys, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, The Revivalists, Civil Wars, Blind Boys of Alabama, Matisyahu, Turnpike Troubadours, The Raconteurs, Ty Myers, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Robert Cray and Alabama. In 2019, he co-produced the #1 Americana album Muscle Shoals: Small Town, Big Sound with Keith Stegall. The project featured performances by Steven Tyler, Chris Stapleton, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss, Keb’ Mo’, Michael McDonald, Demi Lovato, and others, and included the #1 Americana single “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Grace Potter. Under Rodney’s leadership, FAME Records has been revitalized with charting releases from artists such as Mike Farris, The Dead Daisies, Kensie Coppin and the Family.

Rodney is also the Co-founder of SkyDog: The Shoals Experience, a multi-day destination festival held in Florence, Alabama. SkyDog is a celebration of the Shoals’ rich musical legacy and its ongoing cultural impact. The event brings together iconic artists, emerging talent, film, food, and art for a fully immersive experience that reflects the spirit of Southern music and creativity. Designed as both a tribute and a forward-looking platform, SkyDog showcases the enduring influence of the Shoals while creating new opportunities for artists, fans, and industry partners to connect.

In addition to his work at FAME, Rodney serves as President of the Muscle Shoals Music Association, is the founding Member of the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation board, which owns the historic Muscle Shoals Sound Studio at 3614 Jackson Highway, and serves on the board of the Muscle Shoals Songwriters Festival.  He served on the Alabama Music Hall of Fame board of directors and was chairman for  2 years.

Judy Hood, Chairwoman Muscle Shoals Music Foundation Board

Judy Hood is a writer, marketing consultant, and unwavering ambassador for the Muscle Shoals Music industry. Her marketing/communications career spans more than four decades and she is married to legendary Swamper bassist David Hood. T

She works closely with the Alabama State Tourism Department, Shoals Economic Development Authority and TravelSouth International to maximize tourism and economic growth opportunities related to music in the region. She owns Judy Hood Consulting, through which she owns and operates the award-winning Swampette music tours in Muscle Shoals which have introduced thousands of tourists to the magic of the music that was born there.

As the Muscle Shoals liaison for the Orion Amphitheatre in Huntsville, she provides services to strengthen the synergies from both entities.

She is chairperson of the Music Shoals Music Foundation, the nonprofit organization that owns and manages the iconic Muscle Shoals Sound Studio at 3614 Jackson Highway in Sheffield, Alabama. She is chairman of the of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame board of directors and has been honored to represent the State of Alabama and Muscle Shoals music at national and international travel shows.

Stephanie Kennedy-Mell, Owner,  Church Street Family Restaurants

Stephanie Kennedy-Mell is an award-winning hospitality executive and community leader, serving as Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Marketing Officer of Church Street Family Hospitality. She oversees internal operations for seven restaurant and bar concepts across Huntsville and Athens, directing purchasing and non-consumable inventory systems, HR, technology implementation, reporting, marketing strategy, charitable giving, catering and events, and overall brand experience. A visionary leader and creative force behind the group’s concept development and atmosphere, she also manages its private dining clubs, including Purveyor Supper Club and North Alabama’s first sit-down food and wine tasting club.
Stephanie serves on the Alabama Retail & Hospitality Association (ARHA) State Board, where she actively advocates for the hospitality industry in Washington, DC as a member of the association’s “Hill Runner” program. She also serves on the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Executive Board as Small Business Vice Chair, and sits the Finance Committee, since 2024. Concurrently she sits on the HMA Collection Acquisition Board, Advisory Council for Arts Huntsville, and HMA Women’s Guild member since 2016. Stephanie is an active Huntsville Rotary member.
Recognized statewide as Restaurateur of the Year (2023) and Retailer of the Year (2024), Stephanie’s restaurant Purveyor earned the prestigious Michelin Recognition in 2025 for the inaugural Michelin South.
Most recently she and Church Street Family were awarded the Community Impact Award – Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, The Humanitarian Award – State of Alabama (ARHA) and in 2026 She & her Husband, the Downtown Huntsville Inc. Advocates of the Year.
A passionate advocate for the arts, small business, creative brand leadership, and with a deep commitment to community impact, Stephanie Kennedy-Mell continues to champion hospitality excellence and economic growth across Alabama.

Marvelless Mark

Marvelless Mark is a keynote speaker, experience creator, and expert in human-centered leadership, culture, and performance. Known for transforming traditional meetings into high-energy interactive experiences, Mark blends music, storytelling, humor, and audience participation to create memorable moments that inspire teams to connect, engage, and perform at a higher level.

Rather than delivering a sit-and-listen presentation, Mark creates immersive shared experiences that reinforce key business themes through energy, interaction, and participation. His signature “drumstick moment” has become a defining part of his presentations, turning audiences into active participants and creating moments teams continue talking about long after the event ends.

Featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and HBO Max, Mark has partnered with leading organizations including P&G, AT&T, Coca-Cola, Bank of America, and Allstate. His keynote experiences focus on leadership development, employee engagement, culture transformation, sales performance, resilience, teamwork, and navigating change in today’s evolving workplace.

As organizations adapt to rapid technological change and AI transformation, Mark’s message centers on the competitive advantage of human connection. He helps audiences strengthen the communication, creativity, adaptability, and leadership presence technology cannot replace, reminding teams that while AI may transform how we work, the human element remains irreplaceable.

Whether delivering a keynote, leadership experience, or interactive team session, Marvelless Mark creates more than motivation. He creates shared experiences that energize audiences, strengthen culture, and turn business messages into moments people remember.

Dana McCain, State Director for U.S. Senator Katie Britt

Dana Hall McCain is State Director for U.S. Senator Katie Britt. In this role, she serves as a liaison between key stakeholders across Alabama, the Senator, and her DC-based staff. Prior to Joining Team Britt in 2023, Dana was a columnist writing on state and national politics for multiple media outlets including AL.com. She is a graduate of Auburn University and a lifelong Alabamian.

Brian Murphy, Director of Florence Arts and Museums

Brian Murphy is the director of Florence Arts and Museums, which includes Pope’s Tavern Museum; the Florence Mound Museum; the Kennedy-Douglass Art Center; and the Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House. A graduate of the University of North Alabama’s Public History program, he also serves on the board of the Alabama Museums Association, the Alabama Historical Association, and the Friends of the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Brian works with an incredible team of professional staff, colleagues, interns, and volunteers to strengthen community bonds between art, history, people, and places in the Shoals community.

Ryan Murphy, Partner,

President and General Manager, Huntsville Venue Group/The Orion Amphitheater

Ryan Murphy is a Partner at TVG Hospitality and Managing Director of the award-winning Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, Alabama. He led the vision, design, development, and launch of the world-class venue, which opened in 2022 and has since become a nationally recognized destination for live music, community engagement, and innovative venue operations.
In his current role, Ryan oversees operations for the Orion Amphitheater and Apollo Park while helping guide the continued growth of TVG Hospitality’s development portfolio. In addition to leading work on Huntsville’s highly anticipated Lumberyard entertainment district and other emerging projects in the city, he is actively involved in venue and hospitality developments in New York and Los Angeles alongside a team of industry-leading partners.
Prior to joining TVG Hospitality, Ryan served as Director of Cultural Events for St. Johns County, Florida,where he spent more than a decade overseeing programming, operations, marketing, and creativedirection for the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. During that time, he helpedproduce and manage major events including Mumford & Sons’
Gentlemen of the Road Stopover
, the City ofSt. Augustine’s 450th Anniversary Celebration, and the annual Sing Out Loud Festival.
With more than 25 years of experience spanning venue management, event production, artist development, record label operations, and touring, Ryan brings a unique, artist-centered perspective to the live entertainment industry. His commitment to creating exceptional experiences for artists, audiences, staff, and the broader community has helped establish a reputation for operational excellence, sustainability, and meaningful local impact.

Ryan O’Hara, Owner, Pizza Grace Birmingham

As Co-Owner and Executive Chef of Pizza Grace, Ryan O’Hara works in tandem with his wife, Geri-Martha, to offer guests a world-class experience with award-winning savory, sourdough pies and unparalleled hospitality. A Magic City native, Ryan grew up in the suburbs of Birmingham and began his culinary career in 2007. After working at multiple restaurants in the area, he eventually landed at the famed Birmingham institution, Bottega. There, he learned and developed his culinary knowledge under the leadership of James Beard Award-winning Chef Frank Stitt. In 2012, he was promoted to Sous Chef of Stitt’s French bistro, Chez FonFon. In this role, Ryan leveraged his responsibilities and began to advance his leadership skills, developing his team to maintain the highest standards of quality while creating a positive workplace culture.

During his tenure with Chef Frank Stitt, Ryan also met his wife, Geri-Martha, who worked in pastry and desserts for the restaurants. In 2014, they found themselves dreaming of starting their own business and ultimately landed on utilizing Geri-Martha’s expertise to create handmade artisanal ice cream. So, the couple began their journey of Big Spoon Creamery with a small pop-up in their driveway that received tremendous support from their community. From there, they continued to build Big Spoon Creamery, starting with a traveling ice cream cart, then a truck, and now, three brick-and-mortar locations.

In 2025, the couple assumed ownership of Pizza Grace, a local pizzeria in historic downtown Birmingham, AL. Upon acquiring the restaurant, the couple redesigned the interiors and branding and refreshed the menu to include a rotating seasonal selection of sourdough pizzas, small bites, creative desserts, and natural wine. The pizzeria went on to earn a Bib Gourmand distinction from the inaugural MICHELIN Guide American South in 2025. At Pizza Grace, Ryan focuses on menu development as Executive Chef, operations, building their team, and developing leaders who embody the company’s culture. Through intentional hiring and thoughtful employee onboarding, Ryan has created a team that finds joy in taking hospitality to the next level.

When Ryan isn’t at one of their shops or training the team, he can be found spending time with the couple’s two children, playing golf, or traveling and trying new restaurants.

Bethany Oliver, Director, Alabama State Parks

Bethany Oliver is a Certified Nonprofit Professional, strategist, and educator with over 15 years of experience advancing mission-driven organizations across the Southeast. She leads B Hive Nonprofit Consulting, specializing in board development, grant writing, fundraising strategy, and organizational governance. She also serves as Executive Director of Funding and Project Development for Bear Creek Collaborative, supporting educational and outdoor learning experiences through strategic fundraising and program design.
Bethany holds a Master of Education in Nonprofit Leadership & Management from Belmont University and a Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts from the University of North Alabama, where she later served as Director of Student Engagement and taught courses in nonprofit management and grant writing. She is a frequent speaker and workshop facilitator at regional and statewide nonprofit events. Bethany is driven by a commitment to building resilient, mission-aligned organizations across Alabama and beyond.

John Packer, Account Director, Arrivalist

John has been working in the travel research and the marketing research industry for over 20 years. He started out as a research manager on the client side managing research suppliers and generating in-house insights for a trade association supporting the ski and snowboard industry before transitioning to the marketing research supplier side of the business in 1999.

Through dedication to client needs and service, he has earned the reputation as one of the most trusted supplier advisors in the industry. In John’s current role as an Account Director for Arrivalist, he is responsible for working with travel and tourism clients to fully understand their business issues so as to deliver and present effective insights that will help travel and tourism clients succeed.

Previous marketing research positions with increasing responsibilities were Omnitrak, Kantar TNS, where John had the distinction of having the highest client satisfaction scores within one of the largest marketing research firms in the world, as well as numerous recognitions as a best in class account executive; MarketVision Research, where he designed a travel research vertical; D.K. Shifflet & Associates, where he built the largest client base in the company; and SnowSports Industries America, where he started the first research department for the association.

He is the past president of the Travel and Tourism Research Association International, and he is affiliated with numerous professional societies. Educationally, he holds a BA (Physics) from the University of Connecticut and a MA (Tourism Administration) from George Washington University. He also a graduate of the American Marketing Association School of Marketing Research at the University of Notre Dame.

John is very passionate about his family and the values that were passed down to him by his parents. These values have been instrumental to his success in his professional life as well as his private life. He enjoys spending time with his wife of 23 years and his three children, fishing, and traveling. John resides in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Sue Pilkilton, Executive Director, Ivy Green, Birthplace of Helen Keller                                 

Sue Pilkilton, a Tuscumbia native, has devoted 56 years of service to Ivy Green, Birthplace of Helen Keller, helping preserve and share one of Alabama’s most treasured historic sites. She began working at Ivy Green in 1970 at the age of 14 in the gift shop and was named Executive Director in 1981. Since then, she has guided the organization through decades of growth while becoming a respected leader in tourism and historic preservation.

In 2024, Sue was recognized as Alabama Tourism Executive of the Year for her contributions to the industry and lasting impact on tourism in the state. She currently serves as Board Chairman for Colbert County Tourism and has contributed her time and leadership to numerous committees and organizations throughout her career. In 2025, she was also nominated for Shoals Woman of the Year.

Sue was among the community leaders and partners who helped turn the idea for Camp Courage into the program it is today, creating opportunities and experiences for children with visual and hearing impairments while continuing Helen Keller’s legacy of perseverance and possibility.

Known for her work ethic, institutional knowledge, and steady leadership, Sue has earned the respect of colleagues, visitors, and community partners alike. More than five decades after first walking into Ivy Green as a teenager, she continues to play an important role in preserving history and shaping tourism in Colbert County and beyond.

Nancy Pinion, Executive Director, Jesse Owens Museum

Nancy Todd Pinion grew up in Russellville, Alabama, and graduated from Russellville High School. She attended Auburn University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Athens State University, and The University of North Alabama, earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Elementary Education, as well as Administration Certification.

Nancy taught for 25 years at Hatton Elementary School in rural Lawrence County, Alabama, retiring in 2003. For seventeen of those years, she taught fourth-grade Alabama History. Nancy’s passion for history developed early, shaped by years of family involvement in public service and state government. She sought to pass on her love of history and the importance of government and community service through her teaching and leadership in Alabama State Social Studies Fair programs. She mentored, encouraged, and guided students as they developed, researched, and prepared exhibits for the local, regional, and state competitions in the Social Studies Fair. Each year, those students took top honors at every level of competition.

After retiring as a public-school educator, Nancy has served for the past 21 years as Director of the Jesse Owens Memorial Park and Museum at Jesse’s birthplace in Lawrence County, Alabama. Her years of educational experience and passion for history guide the park’s mission to educate, perpetuate, and honor the legendary Olympic great Jesse Owens. Her role includes overseeing day-to-day operations, promotion, fundraising, grant writing, event management, and the development of educational programs. Her guiding principle is to honor Jesse’s athletic and humanitarian accomplishments while ensuring that all guests leave with a greater understanding and appreciation of them.

Highlights of her association with the park and museum include assisting with planning and hosting the US Olympic Torch Run Committee on its route to the 1996 Atlanta Games; collaborating with directors, producers, and promoters of the major Hollywood film “Race” to welcome them to the museum for filming; partnering with Focus Features in 2016 to host a film premiere at the Space and Rocket Center; accepting a museum donation from a sitting President of the United States (President Obama); and collaborating with directors, producers, and promoters of the most recently released 2-hour A & E History Channel documentary, Triumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics. This included hosting the History Channel film crew at the museum in Oakville, where major portions of the film were filmed at the Jesse Owens Museum.

Recognitions and Awards:

2022 String of Pearls Award; This award recognizes the region’s cornerstone professionals and impactful leaders who dedicated their time and efforts to growing and promoting travel and tourism in North Alabama. Presented by Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association.

2022 Decatur Daily Volunteer of the Year Award: Presented by The Decatur Daily, this award honors residents of Morgan, Lawrence, and Limestone counties who have made a significant impact on their communities.

2016 Attraction of the Year Award: Jesse Owens Memorial Park. This award designates the attraction of the Year selected from 16 North Alabama Counties by the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association.

Robert Rausch, Artist/Photographer and Professor of Art at UNA

Robert was raised in a small rural southern town. Struggling with a speech impediment and dyslexia, traditional schooling was difficult. This Clio Award winner lived and worked in Paris, New York, and Los Angeles before earning a Master of Fine Arts from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. With an eye toward beauty, he added design to his artist tool-belt as a photographer. His creative focus has garnered Rausch critical acclaim and the admiration of peers and clients. He started a magazine in 2022 called “The Studio” and teaches at the University of North Alabama.

His photography has been published in the New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Garden & Gun, Southern Living, Ladies Home Journal, Elle, American Craft, Cottage Living, and Veranda, to name just a few.

Robert’s devotion to Slow Design is evident in his work and the clients his work attracts. Robert’s design work can be seen at Anthropologie, Hilton Hotels, Whole Foods, Ted Montana Grill, The Waldorf Astoria, Billy Reid, Alabama Chanin, St. Joe Company, and Serenbe, among others.

Robert lives on a small farm in north Alabama.

Billy Reid, Founder/Owner/Fashion Designer, Billy Reid

Billy Reid is the founder of Billy Reid, an American fashion house and culture brand based in Florence Alabama. He is a four time CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) award winning designer including the 2001 CFDA New Menswear Designer, 2009 CFDA/GQ New Menswear Designer, The 2010 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, 2012 CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year. He has collaborated with such American Brands like Levis, Coach, J Crew, KSwiss, Gibson and Williams Sonoma.

His designs have been worn by Matthew McConaughey, John Legend, Austin Butler, Ryan Reynolds, John Batiste, Leon Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Drake, and Scarlet Johansen among others. In 2008, the brand created Shindig, a culture festival hosted in Muscle Shoals Alabama that has featured notable guests Jason Isbell, Sean Brock, Cautious Clay, Danny Clinch, Kacey Musgraves, Adam Evans, Jack White, Butch Anthony, John T Edge and Allison Mosshart, to mention a few.

His clothes have appeared in several movies including the James Bond film Skyfall, which brought upon a viral moment with Daniel Craig and The Bond Peacoat. The company has 16 of its own retail shops in the United States, an e-commerce business, and wholesale speciality store partners in North America, Europe and Asia. Billy serves as the Founder and Chief Creative Director for the brand and all partnership collaborations.

Tami Reist, President & CEO Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

Tami Reist is a respected leader in Alabama’s tourism industry, known for her work in driving regional growth and collaboration across North Alabama. She serves with the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, representing a 16-county region and leading efforts to promote the area as a vibrant and accessible destination.

With decades of experience, Tami has been instrumental in advancing innovative tourism strategies, including initiatives focused on accessibility, inclusive travel, and adapting to changing visitor trends. She has also played a key role in advocating for policies that support the evolving lodging industry and strengthen local economies.

Recognized for her ability to bring together community leaders, businesses, and policymakers, Tami is passionate about creating meaningful travel experiences while ensuring tourism continues to serve as a powerful economic driver for Alabama.

Lee Sentell, Director, Alabama Tourism Department

Lee has overseen tourism revenue growth in the state from $6 billion in 2003 to almost $ 23.5 billion in 2023. This is his fifth term in the Alabama Governor’s Cabinet.

Under his leadership, the department has pioneered yearly campaigns spotlighting such diverse themes as small towns, the arts, barbecue, natural wonders and the Alabama Bicentennial celebration, winning the national industry’s coveted Mercury award six times in 12 years. Most recently, their U.S. Civil Rights Trail campaign received the International Travel and Tourism Award for best regional promotion at the World Travel Market in London, becoming the first U.S. state tourism agency to be honored.

Previously, he was the first director of marketing at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville and recruited the first 100,000 students to Space Camp. The journalism graduate from Auburn University was city editor at The Decatur Daily before becoming founding director of the Decatur Tourism Bureau.

In related projects, Sentell assisted Monroeville novelist Harper Lee in the launch of her second novel, reopened the closed Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and sponsored the London premiere of the motion picture “Selma.” The Alabama tourism office is working with the National Park Service to nominate a number of civil rights landmarks as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sentell has served as a board member at the Alabama Historical Commission, Alabama Humanities Foundation, Alabama State Council on the Arts, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Rosa Parks Museum and the space museum in Huntsville.

A native of Ashland, he launched his book The Official U.S. Civil Rights Trail: What Happened Here Changed the World on June 23, 2021 at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta.

Olivia Terenzio, Director of Programs, Project Threadways

Olivia Ware Terenzio is a writer, editor, and arts and culture administrator working in the American South. She is the Director of Programs and Scholarship for Project Threadways, a nonprofit that records, studies, and interprets history, community, and power through the lens of fashion and textiles; and works in editorial and marketing at the Southern Foodways Alliance, which explores the diverse food cultures of the changing region.

Hans van der Reijden, Founder and CEO, Ithaka Hospitality Partners

With over 30 years of experience as an international hotelier, Hans van der Reijden is recognized worldwide as a visionary leader and trusted expert.
A native of Holland, Hans began his hospitality career at a young age in a 2-Star Michelin restaurant, followed by stints in Antwerp, Belgium, and on board the ships of the Holland America Line before joining The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. He excelled within the organization, opening numerous hotels around the world and developing a close relationship with company founder and legendary hotelier Horst Schulze. During his time with The Ritz-Carlton, Hans witnessed firsthand the impact of an organization that focused not only on delivering exceptional service to guests but also on cultivating a rich, employee-focused company culture.
When Schulze founded Capella Hotel Group (CHG) in 2003, he called upon Hans to help bring his vision to life. As a partner at Capella, Hans worked alongside Schulze to take the legendary model of service and culture created at The Ritz-Carlton one step further, catering to the emerging ultra-luxury guest seeking a highly individualized hotel experience. This role prompted Hans to move to Auburn, Alabama, to oversee operations and educational initiatives at The Hotel at Auburn University as well as the partnership between CHG and Auburn University’s Hospitality Management Program.

Dr. Vic Wilson

Dr. Vic Wilson started work at UWF in 2025 and brings 32 years or educational experience.  He is the former Executive Director of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools.  Prior to coming to CLAS in July 2017, he was the Superintendent of Hartselle City Schools. During Wilson’s 32 years of service in the field of education, he has worked with professionals from Pre–K through graduate school. Prior to his selection as superintendent of Hartselle City Schools, Wilson performed numerous roles including principal, assistant principal, teacher, and coach.

Wilson has received leadership awards from the Alabama Music Educators Association, the University of Montevallo, and SSA.  Throughout Wilson’s 25-year administration tenure in public education, he has been active in CLAS, AASSP, SSA, AASA and other professional organizations.  In 2014, he led the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals as their association president. He was selected as Alabama’s 2017 Superintendent of the Year by the School Superintendents of Alabama.

Vic and his wife of 32 years, Felecia, are the proud parents of Dailey, Emma, and Paul.  They live in Montgomery, Alabama with their two dogs, Bronco and Duke.

Vic and his wife of 32 years, Felecia, are the proud parents of Dailey, Emma, and Paul.  They live in Montgomery, Alabama with their two dogs, Bronco and Duke.

John Paul White, UNA Instructor and Grammy Winning Recording Artist

With The Hurting Kind, John Paul White has crafted a stunning album that draws on the lush, orchestrated music made in Nashville in the early 1960s. Yet these songs retain a modern feel, whether he’s writing about overwhelming love, unraveling relationships, or fading memory of a loved one. 

White lives in Florence, Alabama, not far from Muscle Shoals. He has cultivated a music career in Nashville for two decades, first as a songwriter, then half of The Civil Wars – a groundbreaking duo that won four Grammy Awards before disbanding in 2012.
Because The Civil Wars were so hard to categorize, White has earned a fanbase among indie rock listeners, folk audiences, Americana outlets and AAA radio. So, what will happen if people hear The Hurting Kind and call it country? “Well that  doesn’t scare me in the least,” he says. “As a matter of fact, it kind of thrills me.”

Back: Laura Hicks, Jade Cox, Grey Brennan | Front: Brooklyn Lundy, Mary Ella Cauthen, Pam Smith

Alabama Tourism Department: Updates, Opportunities & How to Get Involved

Moderator: Grey Brennan (Deputy Director) Facilitator: Jade Cox

Speakers: Mary Ella Cauthen, Laura Hicks, Pam Smith, Andy Facer, Brooklyn Lundy, Janin Nachtweh, Welcome Center Managers, Dani Campana, Angie Austin

Join the Alabama Tourism Department and Brand USA for an engaging, interactive breakout session.

Instead of a traditional speech, this session uses a speed networking format:

• Speakers will be stationed at fixed tables around the room.
• Attendees will rotate in small groups between tables during timed rounds (signaled by a bell).
• This setup allows for intimate, direct conversations and easy Q&A with each expert.

You’ll hear the latest updates, exciting new initiatives, and future plans for promoting Alabama as a top travel destination. Learn practical ways to get involved — whether you’re a destination marketer, attraction operator, hotelier, or industry partner — and discover how to align with statewide tourism goals.

This is your opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and leave with actionable steps to strengthen your partnership with Alabama Tourism.

Photo: ATD staff (Back: Laura Hicks, Jade Cox, Grey Brennan | Front: Brooklyn Lundy, Mary Ella Cauthen, Pam Smith). Not pictured: Welcome Center Managers, Andy Facer, Janin Nachtweh, Dani Campana, and Angie Austin.