Women of Influence: State Board of Education member Mary Scott Hunter
“Be prepared and know that you want to serve, don’t overthink it. Go for it. You will be glad you did.” Mary Scott Hunter has been an incredible influence in the state of Alabama, raised on the Alabama Gulf Coast, she attended Fairhope High School, obtained her bachelors degree from the University of Alabama, and proceeded to the university’s school of law. She received her Master’s in Business Administration in 2017 from the university as well. After graduating from law school in 1998, she was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United Sates Air Force, where she served as an Air Force Judge Advocate General for ten years. After her active duty service, Hunter served in the Reserves, and the Alabama Air National Guard, rising to the rank of Major. She was deployed to Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait in 2001, and experienced two overseas tours in Korea and Germany. She has been awarded several military honors; the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, and a Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. Hunter strongly believes that a good education can make a real difference in the lives of those who seek it, and currently serves on many education centered boards throughout the state. Including: the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees, Board of Directors of the Alabama Association of School Boards, National Association of School Boards, US Space and Rocket Center Education Committee, Association for Corporate Counsel – Alabama Chapter Board of Directors, and has previously served The Boys and Girls Clubs of North Alabama and Athens State University Board of Trustees. “The women I’ve served with on the Alabama State Board of Education have all had a positive influence on me. Of course, we’ve had disagreements over the years, sometimes strenuous disagreements! I’ve served with Stephanie Bell, Bettie Peters, Yvette Richardson, Ella Bell and Gov. Kay Ivey, Tracy Roberts, Cynthia McCarty, and Jackie Zeigler as well. Each of them is very strong in their own way and have specific areas of focus and expertise. I’ve learned so much from them,” said Hunter. In 2016 Hunter was named among Alabama Media Group’s “Women Who Shape the State” as a woman who has helped change Alabama for the better. She has also been awarded for her leadership, her community service activities, and her economic development efforts. Hunter is also a small business owner. She and her husband Jon own a small technology company, Torel Technology, LLC, and she joined the Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation in 2012. There she leads the company’s business interests in Compliance, Ethics, and Risk. Hunter is a hard-working, self-made woman. She has influenced many aspects of education throughout the state, and has served our country well through the armed services. In spite of her busy schedule, Hunter made time to answer some of Alabama Today’s questions on her life, work, and influences: How have other women influenced your success? Southern women are called “Steel Magnolias,” and it’s such a great description. I’ve been influenced by many, my mother, my Aunt Sally and Aunt Sandy, Sunday school teachers, school teachers, my mother’s friends. These women taught me more lessons than I can count, but one that I carry forward into my talks with young professional women is to carry yourself with class and confidence. Stand up straight with shoulders back. Dress appropriately. Use proper grammar and diction. Be punctual because it is respectful of others. These are some of the things that go into carrying yourself with class and confidence, and it works in every situation. I must also say a word about my mother, Deborah Hunter. Like many Southern women born in the late 40s, career options were limited. Mom had two careers, one in retail and one as a realtor. When she worked at Gayfers Department Store, I thought it was the most glamorous job, and she was the most beautiful of all mothers. Later, as a realtor, I saw how she translated her love of hearth and home into sales and taking good care of her customers. Lots of lessons there, one particular lesson I learned from her when I was 15. She was kidnapped, and she evaded her kidnapper by jumping out of a moving car, running across four lanes of traffic and flagging down on oncoming car. After a poor response from law enforcement, she went to work to get a new sheriff elected in our county which she was successful doing. There’s a lot of steel in that Magnolia! What shaped your desire to serve our country through the armed forces? I joined the Air Force after law school. It was a calling. Like any calling, you get the idea in your head, and you just can’t put it down. I’ve always been most fulfilled when I’m fighting for a cause. The Air Force was the right choice. As an Air Force JAG [Judge Advocate General] I could jump right into the courtroom and try cases immediately. Most of my lawyer friends who went to firms were still carrying the files for older lawyers. To this day, I can prosecute a bar fight or DUI in my sleep! What advice would you give young women considering careers in the military or politics? Look, these opportunities are generally open to people who have something to offer and a desire to serve. But remember it’s both – it’s what you offer and your desire to serve others. The desire to serve is straightforward, you either have it or you don’t. Regarding what you offer, I would tell young women or really anyone to prepare yourself. Be intentional about preparation. Get a solid education. A diploma is a powerful thing for the doors it opens and for the knowledge it represents. Be as healthy as you can because it slows you down when you aren’t well. If you have children, set up support systems and backup plans so you aren’t scrambling
Gov, Robert Bentley, his appointees see great success in Senate confirmations: See full list
While a lot didn’t go according to plan this session, Gov. Robert Bentley and his appointees have a lot to celebrate. Based on the list below Bentley and his appointments office had a very successful Legislative Session. Congratulations to everyone who saw their appointment confirmed. Below you will find a full list of 2015 Confirmations: CONFIRMED APPOINTMENTS Landscape Architect Board of Examiners Lea Ann Macknally Family Trust Board of Trustees Judy Shepura David Salter Lynn Campisi Athens State University Board of Trustees Senator Arthur Orr Macke Mauldin Ronnie Chronister State Board of Human Resources Dr. Phil B. Hammonds Alabama Firefighters’ Personnel Standards and Education Commission Gary Lenn Sparks Alabama Environmental Management Commission Houston Lanier Brown, II Scott Phillips Dr. Craig Elliott Martin Credit Union Administrator Sarah Moore Credit Union Administrators Board Ralph Altice Linda Cencula Greta Webb-Williams Harold Gregory McClellan Joseph R. Hand Charles Faulkner Port Authority Board of Directors Joseph S. McCarty Alvin Hope Algernon Stanley State Board of Education Al Thompson Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind BOT Frances E. Taylor Jackie L. Smith Ronald Lee Garrett Gerri W. Robinson Hope Curry Richard M. “Mitch” Kemmer, Jr. Board of Appeals for the Department of Labor Ray VanSchoubroek Public Accountancy Board Connie Sheppard-Harris Crime Victims Compensation Commission Billy Sharp Miriam Shehane Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board Christopher Alan Baker Edmond Eslava Angela Frost Dennis Wayne Key Penni McClammy Department of Rehabilitation Services Jimmie Varnado Eddie C. Williams Court of the Judiciary Lucinda Samford Cannon Gwaltney L. McCollum Daryl Perkins Auburn University Board of Trustees David Gainer Lanier Alabama Commission on Higher Education Stan Pylant Gulf States Marine Fisheries Council Chris Nelson Securities Commission James L. Hart Forestry Commission Steve May Banking Board Larry K. Deason Ann Scott Yelverton Alabama Electronic Security Board John David Orr Sheriff Derrick Cunningham Alabama Educational Television Commission J. Holland Tijuanna Adatunji Real Estate Commission Authority Danny Sharp Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust Fund Advisory Board Jason Windham University of South Alabama Board of Trustees Sandy Stimpson Ken O. Simon Mike Windom Sheriff Bryant Mixon Captain Ron Jenkins (USN, Ret.) Chandra Brown Stewart University of North Alabama Board of Trustees William Trapp Marcus Maples Alabama Surface Mining Commission Jack F. Bergsieker Kenneth Ray Russell Keith Plott Alabama Community College Systems Board of Trustees Al Thompson, III Frank Caldwell Crystal Brown Milton A. Davis, P.E. Ron Fantroy Chuck Smith Blake McAnally, PE/PLS Susan Blythe Foy Alabama Trust Fund Board Edgar Pruitt Agriculture & Industries Board Emory Mosely, Jr. J.B. Turner, Jr. John Walker Phillip Hunter Fred Cespedes Joey Harris Reafield Vester Tuscaloosa County Civil Service Board Brock Jones Rev. Jefferey Cammon Alabama State University Board of Trustees Angela D. McKenzie Pamela J. Ware Ralph D. Ruggs Joe Whitt Darrell Hudson Textbook Committee: Science Claudia Thomas Mitchell David Vess Mary Hooks Ginger Montgomery Katherine Emmerson Jo Chambers Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees Tony Ingram Board of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors Heshmat Aglan Statewide 911 Board Wayne Hutchens Robert Smith Evelyn Causey Betty Sanders FAVORABLE COMMITTEE REPORT WITH NO FURTHER ACTION (APPOINTEES CONTINUE TO SERVE) University of Montevallo Board of Trustees Gary Ellis Board of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors Barrett S. Richard CARRIED OVER IN COMMITTEE (APPOINTEE CONTINUES TO SERVE) Alabama State University Board of Trustees Kimberly Kelley Rucker REJECTED BY SENATE Alabama State University Board of Trustees Lonnie A. Washington
