Doug Morrison
Doug Morrison brings a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement to his role as Manager of the Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve, a position he assumed in July 2022 following a 27-year career as a Senior Systems Analyst in the 401(k)-recordkeeping industry at Integrated Benefits Solutions, Inc.
A lifelong conservationist, Doug served as Board President of The Friends of Big Canoe Creek from 2008 to 2020, where he was instrumental in the creation of the Preserve through his work nominating key parcels to Alabama’s Forever Wild Land Trust. His efforts were recognized in 2015 with the prestigious River Hero Award from the Alabama Rivers Alliance.
Doug also dedicated 12 years to the board of Coosa Riverkeeper, including a term as Board President, and previously volunteered on the City of Springville’s Parks and Recreation Board.
Today, Doug leads with a focus on education and outreach, championing Alabama’s extraordinary biodiversity, and the protection of vital species within the Big Canoe Creek watershed. His work continues to inspire a deeper connection between people and the natural world.
Dean Goforth – Chair
Founded SCSI, a full-service facility maintenance company, in 1983 in order to meet facility maintenance and management needs of multiple clients. The company continues to grow under his leadership and follows the same vision today as he had in the beginning. He has also served and is affiliated with the State of Alabama Economic Development Board, US Small Business Council, State of Alabama Forever Wild Program, and SBA Economic Development Board. He works with various philanthropic organizations and youth mentoring programs and is proactive in helping those in need. Dean has authored many industry articles.
Wendy Jackson
Wendy began her professional career in conservation as the Director of Land Protection with the Nature Conservancy in Alabama helping conserve over 30,000 acres during her tenure. In 2001, Wendy led the Freshwater Land Trust in Birmingham, AL. She grew the organization form the small, relatively unknown conservation organization into a well-respected land trust with assets exceeding $40 million and annual operations of $1 million. In 2016 Wendy moved to Washington D.C. to become the Land Trust Alliance’s Executive Vice President and joined the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (NAWCA). Recently retired, Wendy continues to represent the Alliance as a volunteer helping facilitate land conservation in every state.
Chip Martin, CPA – Treasurer
Chip is the owner of American Income Tax in Gadsden, AL since 2012. Chip has been a Certified Public Accountant since 2002. Throughout his career, Chip has worked in the public sector and in private industry. Chip has also served as a city council member and budget chairman for the City of Springville. He also served as the Vice-Chairman of the Springville Parks and Recreation Board, the Springville Industrial Development Board and the Springville Commercial Development Authority.
Jacob Melvin – Secretary
Jacob Melvin is an educator, writer, and storyteller. He has a BA in English, an MA in Creative Writing, and a MAE in Secondary English Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His award-winning fiction and nonfiction have appeared in places such as Post Road, The Bitter Southerner, and The Saturday Evening Post. Currently, he teaches English full-time at Jefferson State’s Pell City campus. Jacob is also the co-founder of a non-profit marketing company and is a freelance writer for Alabama Media Group. A Springville native, he and his wife Courtney reside in the community with their four children.
Cannon Lawley
H. Cannon Lawley, a native of Pell City, is a partner in the law firm of Clark, May, Price, Lawley, Duncan & Paul, LLC, and licensed to practice in the state and federal courts of Alabama and Mississippi, and before the United States Supreme Court. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources, Honors Program from Auburn University in 1995, and his Juris Doctorate from Alabama School of Law in 1998, and has represent landowners, forestry professionals and timber companies in a broad range of transactions and litigation, as a primary component of his over 20-year practice. Cannon is the current Chair of the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Advisory Council, active in the Alabama Forestry Association, and the Vice-Chairman of the American Bar Association’s Forest Resource Committee. Additionally, he previously served as a Commissioner for the Alabama Land Recycling & Economic Development Commission and is a graduate of Leadership St. Clair County.
Candice Hill
Candice Hill is the Retail/Marketing Specialist for the St. Clair County Economic Development Council (SCCEDC). She works with the County and each of its municipalities to help implement the SCCEDC’s 5-year strategic plan by working with local leaders on initiatives such as Leadership St. Clair County and Small Business St. Clair. Candice is a graduate of UAB with degrees in Marketing and Public Administration. Her 14 years of experience in economic development, she has had the opportunity to work with all of the County’s municipalities and chambers of commerce and is thankful to be able to be call St. Clair County home.
Blair Goodgame
Blair Goodgame, a graduate of Auburn University, serves as the Tourism Coordinator with the St. Clair County Economic Development Council. The position was created in 2019 as part of the EDC’s five-year strategic plan, Partnership for Tomorrow. The St. Clair County tourism initiative, Visit St. Clair, connects the dots among outdoor recreation, economic development, and health and wellness in the community. Blair is passionate about community development and volunteering. She is a past president of the Pell City Rotary Club, and currently serves as an Assistant District Governor for Rotary District 6860. Blair is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and was named Rotarian of the Year in 2014 by her home club of Pell City. Additionally, Blair is a trustee for the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama and serves on the Executive Committee for the PARCA Roundtable. She is a graduate of Leadership St. Clair and the Alabama Leadership Initiative.
Jill Chambers
Jill Chambers, PhD Science Curriculum & Instruction. I have been affiliated with High School science education for 29 years. I began my career as a classroom chemistry and biology teacher then took on the role of the Biology Specialist for the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI). Designing curriculum for Environmental programs is the most rewarding part of my profession. I am passionate that students of all ages, appreciate the beauty of Alabama’s ecological diversity and become good stewards of this unique gift.
David Langner
David Langner, VP of Operations, Southern and Gulf Coast Division of Vulcan Materials Company, has 40 years of experience which includes engineering, central services, and operations management mainly in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida and Mexico. His current responsibilities include the management of Vulcans Ensley Shop in Alabama, Midsouth Machine and Service Co. in Tennessee, and Southern Gulf Coast Divisions Engineering Department. In addition, David serves on the Vulcan Way of Operating Leadership Team and is the Executive Sponsor of the Drilling and Blasting Team, Crusher Team, and co-sponsor on the Fabrication Team. David assists as a technical reviewer of many of Vulcan’s capital processing projects. In his role as sponsor of the Crusher Team, David and this team influence the companies processing equipment selection, major repairs and rebuilds, strategic spare machines and spare parts. David is involved in companywide shop activities and assists with many projects and problem resolution activities across the footprint of the company.
Phil Seay
Providing Private Judging, Mediations, Alternative Dispute Resolution & Civil Litigation in St. Clair and surrounding counties. Retired Presiding Circuit Judge Philip K. Seay began practicing law in 1992. He served as the County Attorney, City Attorney for Pell City, Prosecutor for Pell City and Ragland. He was elected as St. Clair County District Judge in 2005, Presiding District Court Judge in 2009, Circuit Judge in 2011 and Presiding Circuit Judge in 2013. He was the President of the Alabama Circuit Judges Association from 2021-2023. In 2024, Philip K. Seay was named the American Board of Trial Advocates-Alabama Trial Judge of the Year. He is registered on the Alabama State Court Mediator Roster, Alabama State Mediator Private Judge Roster and Appellate Mediator Roster.
Daniel Black
Daniel Black is a native and current resident of Springville, Alabama, where he lives with his wife, Amanda, and their two children. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2012. Daniel began his career at Alabama Power, where he has progressed to the position of Engineering Supervisor. During his tenure at Alabama Power, he has actively contributed by volunteering through APSO and Renew Our Rivers and serves on the Alabama Power Governance Committee. Beyond his professional achievements, Daniel is dedicated to his community, volunteering in the St. Clair County area as a youth baseball coach. He aims to positively influence young athletes’ baseball development and faith journey.