Five things you need to know about Heather Milam
Heather Milam won the Democratic nomination for the office of Secretary of State in the June 5 primary, but now that the primaries are over and the real battle begins. Milam will face incumbent Secretary of State, Republican John Merrill in the November 6 general election, and the two candidate’s backgrounds could not be any more different from each other. With that in mind, here are five things you need to know about Heather Milam: 1. She has a 15 year career in publishing and marketing. After graduating from Auburn University with two Bachelors of Arts degrees, Milam began her career at EBSCO Industries. Milam has also worked for a travel magazine and Network Communications Inc. the largest real estate publisher in the country at the time. At Network Communications Inc. Milam increased her markets’ revenues by 30 percent each year on average “by increasing not only print ad sales, but also digital sales including new services solely devoted to social media,” according to her bio on Weld’s website. 2. She was the General Manager and one of the founding members of the Weld for Birmingham magazine. In 2009, Milam joined the group that would eventually become Weld for Birmingham — a free community newspaper for the city of Birmingham which published weekly newspapers for six years. When the newspaper was created, Milam became the Chief Operations Officer, and General Manager for the paper. 3. She’s an entrepreneur and teaches classes at the University of Montevallo. Milam’s classifies her position at Weld as an entrepreneurial one because she joined the paper at its founding. She decided to share her experience in the classroom at the University of Montevallo’s Stephens College of Business where she teaches business management, and is the MBA program director. Milam also promotes entrepreneurial training with an innovation training program called Co.Starters. 4. She and her husband met while volunteering on a non-profit board. Milam has served in several capacities in non-profits in and around Birmingham including as a board member of the Alabama Environmental Council’s, social chair of the Birmingham Track Club, a host committee member for Growing Kings, and several other non-profit boards focusing on healthcare, education and the arts. She and her husband, Kris met while serving together on the Environmental Council’s board. 5. Her campaign’s largest donations have come from individuals, and she received a $500 in-kind contribution from the Good People Brewing company in Birmingham. Milam’s largest donations have been from individuals contributing to her campaign. In Milam’s bio on Weld’s website, she lists one of the things she likes as Good People’s IPA, a very popular beer in Birmingham, and across the state. The Birmingham Watch reported the Good People Brewing company was one of Milam’s highest campaign donors, although the donation was an in-kind one after she held her campaign kick-off event at the brewery in March.
Shelby County Board of Education to host Superintendent candidates’ forum
The Greater Shelby County, South Shelby County, Montevallo Chamber’s of Commerce and Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. will join forces to co-host a candidate forum for the Shelby County Board of Education Superintendent candidates on Thursday, May, 31. “On behalf of our partners for this Forum we’re looking forward to hosting this program,” said Kirk Mancer, President and CEO of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. “All three of our chambers work collaboratively with schools throughout Shelby County, so having the opportunity to hear from the two candidates seeking this important leadership position was something we all wanted to do.” The forum will take place from at Jefferson State Community College’s Shelby-Hoover campus from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.. Three-term current Superintendent, Randy Fuller, announced his retirement, effective in December in January of this year. Looking to fill his shoes is Assistant Superintendent of Administration Shelby County Schools, Dr. Lewis Brooks along with Oak Mountain High School Principal Kristi Sayer. Each of the candidates will have time to respond to questions determined by the three chambers. “The Superintendent for the Shelby County Board of Education oversees programming for 20,950+ students throughout all of our communities,” Keyla Handley, Acting Director for the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce said. “As the unified voice for Shelby County businesses — who will employ and work with these students in the future — it’s vital we hear from these individuals on career readiness efforts we’ll need moving forward.” “Our schools are the foundation of our communities,”Executive Director of the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, Steve Gilbert commented. “This forum will allow everyone the opportunity to learn more about the platform the two candidates seeking to serve as Superintendent for the Shelby County Board of Education want to implement.” The candidates Dr. Lewis Brooks, current assistant superintendent of administration and pupil services for Shelby County Schools, Brooks has been a resident of Shelby County for the past 26 years. A graduate of the University of Montevallo, he also received his doctorate of education degree in 2010 at Samford University. “I decided to run for the position of superintendent of Shelby County Schools because, after many years of working in the district, I know the parents, educators and the staff here have such a high level of commitment to excellence in education for the students we serve,” Brooks told 280 Reporter. “I love that about this district and I share that same commitment.” Kristi Sayers, current Oak Mountain High School Principal has been an educator for 23 years. She received her master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from the University of Montevallo and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “For too long, we’ve just kind of left the family out, and we all have to work together,” she told the 280 Reporter. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all. I think I have good ideas, and I’m not afraid to act on those ideas. My goal is always to move things forward.” The event is free to the public.
University of Montevallo breaks ground on $25 million Center for the Arts
The University of Montevallo has set the stage for a new $25 million Center for the Arts. The Alabama university broke ground April 19 on what will be a 36,000-square-foot arts center that will include a 350-seat theater. The facility will create a better learning environment for students pursuing disciplines in the arts. Completion is expected in August 2019. “This facility is to create a new kind of environment that draws together students and faculty from all of the departments,” said Dr. Steven Peters, dean of the College of Fine Arts. “Our students and professors will have the opportunity for more conversations across disciplines in the arts and encourage more high quality, specific and interdisciplinary activity. This will be a creative engine for discovery and innovation.” The Center for the Arts features will include: Performance venues and hospitality space, University art gallery, Theatre Department offices and multipurpose classrooms and studios, Multi-use digital fabrication lab, Scene design and wardrobe shops along with versatile storage spaces. “This new Center for the Arts will be a state of the art facility able to accommodate growth including up to 150 students in the fine arts programs over the next five years,” said Dr. John W. Stewart III, president of the University of Montevallo. “The cross function of disciplines under one roof will provide students with more marketable skills for their future occupations.” Davis Architects designed the new center and TCU Consulting Services is overseeing the construction.
Women of Influence: Alabama Democratic Party Chair Nancy Worley
Nancy Worley has been an influencer in the state of Alabama for over forty years. Worley, a lifelong resident of the Yellowhammer State, grew up in New Hope, Ala. on a family farm. She attended the University of Montevallo receiving her Bachelors degree in 1973; then continued her education at Jacksonville State University, obtaining a Master’s degree in 1975. After graduation Worley taught in the public school system in Decatur for 25 years. In addition to teaching English and Latin she was very active in the school, sponsoring and leading numerous professional and civic organizations, student clubs, as well as coaching the cheerleaders. Worley also fundraised for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and American Heart Association. All the while also teaching part-time for Northeast State Community College and John C. Calhoun Community College. Her work within the Decatur school system earned her the Teacher of the Year award. Twice. She was also nominated to the Teacher Hall of Fame. The Alabama Jaycees, a Junior Chamber civic organization, recognized Worley as Alabama’s Outstanding Young Educator, and Good Housekeeping magazine honored her as one of the “100 Young Women of Promise.” Worley received several more honors and awards including being named by The Decatur Daily as one of the “Twenty Leaders of Decatur,” the Alumnus of the Year honor at the University of Montevallo, and the Education Award by the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. Worley’s career in leadership began in 1983 when she was elected statewide to serve as President of the Alabama Education Association, she later won this election again and served from 1995-1997. She held many leadership positions since then, serving four terms on the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee; State President of the Association of Classroom Teachers, twice, and twice as State President of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She was also the President of the Decatur Education Association, the Alabama Foreign Language Teachers Association, Alabama Classical Association and the Opportunity Toastmistress Club. Career of public service From 2002-2007 Worley served as the Alabama Secretary of State implementing substantial reforms to voting practices including longer and uniform polling hours, voter identification, and automatic recounts in close races. Worley previously served on the Welfare Reform task force, the Education Reform task force, the Lt. Governor’s Legislative Council, and the Tuition Eligibility Board. She spent time lobbying with the AARP Capital City Task Force on Senior Citizen issues, and worked with retired educators from The Alabama Retired Teachers’ Association, and was one of only seven super delegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention from Alabama. In 2007, Worley became vice-chair of the Alabama Democratic Party until 2013 when she was elected to serve as the party’s chairman; a position she has continued to hold. Worley is a woman who is absolutely dedicated to serving others, and her many years of experience in education and politics speak for themselves; but just in case you needed to hear directly from her, she was kind enough to answer some of Alabama Today’s questions about her life, work and influences: How have other women influenced your success? Several women in my family, along with numerous female teachers, church, community, civic and political leaders taught me the value of hard work, the importance of education, the need for involvement in community and causes, and respect for the dignity of all persons. Looking back over my life, these women “took me under their wing,” and nourished, protected, promoted, and pushed me to set goals, and work to achieve those goals. What shaped your desire to work with education and government? Several family members were educators, and a few were involved in government; therefore, I grew up knowing that both professions made a difference in many lives. I began my professional career as an educator with a strong desire to make a difference, to enhance young minds, to move students forward and to see them succeed. Although my career as an educator was quite fulfilling, I realized that government also played a large role, perhaps a larger role, in making a difference. After all, government controls our economic well being, our basic health needs, our access to public education, the quality of air we breathe, the cleanliness of the water we drink, the affordability of housing, etc..; therefore, I became involved in government to make a difference. What has been your favorite area of service, and what is your favorite thing about that position? I have enjoyed all my positions of service; however, every job has its good days and its bad days. I loved the classroom (most days), and I will always be an educator “at heart,” but I am equally inspired by how much government can do to help others. Have you read any books that have shaped your perspective on life? I grew up with a Mother who took me to church “every time the door was open”; therefore, at an early age, the Bible and its teachings certainly shaped my perspective on life. I studied and taught English and Latin; therefore, classical to modern authors/books also shaped my perspective on life. What advice would you give to young women who want to work in education or politics? My best advice to young women who want to work in education or politics is listen and study at home, in school and beyond, learn as much as possible about a variety of subjects, get involved in the community in which one lives, work hard with the “perfection ethic” as a guide to complete any job, no matter how menial, and always try to do what is right, to the best of one’s ability. How do you spend your (rare) free time? My free time is rare; however, I enjoy reading a magazine or book, attending the theatre, a concert, etc., going to a place I’ve never been, from a “tourist trap” to an isolated location, sitting and talking with a friend in a restaurant, or hearing an excellent speaker, panel, etc
