The Shelby County Arts Council fuels a rich arts environment for the region as an advocate and resource for individual artists and arts organizations which are employers, producers, consumers and major promoters of their cities and regions. The Arts Council serves the entire community, reaching all economic levels, every age and all cultural backgrounds – embracing the activities of all arts and cultural organizations in Shelby County.

Click any Board Member to view a brief bio.


Maria Kennedy
Treasurer of the Board

Terri Sullivan
Founder and President of the Board

Bob Whetstone
Vice President of the Board

Teresa Whiting
Secretary of the Board
Maria Kennedy
Treasurer of the Board

Maria Kennedy is the Executive Director for the Daniel Foundation of Alabama. Maria graduated from the University of South Alabama in Mobile.  She is a CPA and a member of the American Institute of CPAs as well as the Alabama Society of CPAs.  Maria volunteers in the reading lab with Inverness Elementary School.  She and her husband, Drew, have two children and are members of Valleydale Church.

Terri Sullivan
Founder and President of the Board

Terri Sullivan is the co-owner of Sullivan Communications. Terri was born in Lynchburg, VA and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Virginia. She and her husband enjoy living on Lay Lake with their two sons and are members of the Columbiana United Methodist Church.

 

Bob Whetstone
Vice President of the Board

Bob Whetstone is Professor Emeritus at Birmingham-Southern College and author of three historical novels.  He currently serves as Vice President of the Shelby County Arts Council and Chair of the Alabama Humanities Foundation.  Bob Lives in Riverchase with his wife Janelle.

Teresa Whiting
Secretary of the Board

Teresa Whiting lives in Columbiana with her husband, Leslie D. Whiting.  She has a B.S. in Communications Studies from the University of Montevallo and is passionate about enriching the lives of others.

Lindsey Allison

Lindsey Allison has been a practicing attorney in Shelby County for 25 years and is currently serving a fifth term on the Shelby County Commission for District Seven.  Through the years, she has served on numerous professional and non-profit boards.  Lindsey is married to Russ Allison, and they have two daughters in college.

Beth Chapman, Secretary of State

Secretary Chapman received her B.S. Degree from the University of Montevallo and her Masters Degree, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  She has served on the board of CASA, Shelby County Family Resource Center, Children’s Policy Council, the Crisis Center, Lifeline Ministries, and Turning Point Foundation. Secretary Chapman is the author of two books and has also written two patriotic speeches, both of which have been entered into the Congressional Record by Senator Jeff Sessions and Congressman Jo Bonner respectively.  Secretary Chapman is a highly sought-after motivational speaker and Christian comedian.  She and her husband James have two sons – Taylor and Thatcher.

Sharon DeVaney-Lovinguth

Sharon DeVaney-Lovinguth is an English instructor in the Distance Education Division of Jefferson State Community College.  She is a life-long resident of Alabama with a passionate belief in the power of art to enrich and improve the quality of life within our community and our world.

Terri Gualano

A marketing, public relations, and sales professional since 1991, Ms. Gualano is the Regional Director of Legislative & External Affairs for AT&T – Alabama. She currently serves as Chair–Elect to the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees, and board member of Lakeshore Foundation and the Jefferson County Education Foundation.  In addition, Ms. Gualano is active or has been involved in such organizations as the Hoover Chamber of Commerce – where she served as President in 2002, the Southern Women Committee of 50, the Keep Birmingham Beautiful Commission, Leadership Shelby County, City of Tuscaloosa Recycling, and United Way. Terri lives in Chelsea and is a member of Double Oak Community Church.

Debbie Hawkins

Debbie Hawkins is Division Area Manager for Alabama Power's Birmingham Division – South Region.  She has responsibility for the Pelham, Leeds, Calera and Columbiana business offices which serve 171,000 customers.  Debbie also has responsibilities in customer, community, and external relations for southern Jefferson County and Shelby County.

Robert Hayes

Dr. Robert C. (Robbie) Hayes is the Shelby County Commissioner for District Nine.  Dr. Hayes has been a practicing optometrist for over 21 years and is the owner of Hayes Eye Center in Chelsea, Alabama.  He received his doctorate in Optometry and his B.S. in Biology from the University of Alabama – Birmingham.  Along with his many professional and governmental affiliations, Dr. Hayes serves on the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, the Community of Hope Health Clinic, Chelsea Park Elementary PTO and SouthFirst Bank Board of Directors.  He is a founding member of the Kiwanis Club of Chelsea and of Morningstar United Methodist Church.  Dr. Hayes and his wife, Kim, have three children in Shelby County schools.

 

Carol Hill

Carol Hill, a founding board member, is a retired educator with 25 years of experience currently serving as Chairman of the Shelby County Board of Registrars.  She is an active board member of Leadership Shelby County and a member and past President of several clubs including the Alabama Legislative Club, Southern Women’s Committee of Fifty, and the Columbiana Vignette Club.  Carol is a Sunday School teacher at Columbiana First Baptist and has been married to State Representative Mike Hill for 38 years.  Carol and her husband have three children and three grandchildren.

Elaine Hughes

Dr. Elaine W. Hughes is Professor Emerita of English at the University of Montevallo.  She is the former Chair of the Alabama Humanities Foundation and current Vice President of the Montevallo Main Street Players. Dr. Hughes is a long-time advocate for the arts and humanities in Alabama.  She lives in Brierfield with her husband, Robert Hughes.

Don Lundy

Don Lundy is a financial advisor for Morgan, Stanley, Smith and Barney. Don is active in numerous civic organizations and helped found the Heart Ball.  Don graduated from Birmingham Southern College. He and his wife Candy live on a horse farm in Shelby County.

Judy Quick

Judy Quick retired from BellSouth Corporation with 25 years experience in sales, marketing and operations positions.  As a loaned executive to the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG), she managed $75 million in technology sponsorships and represented the Technology Department for multiple technology issues concerning the international media and National Olympic Committees. Currently, she is the Diocesan Coordinator for Episcopal Relief & Development and chairs the Department of Mission and Outreach for the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama.  She was an instructor for the Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University and has served on the boards of private schools.  Judy is married to Gene Quick, retired Air Force Colonel and a native of Columbiana.

Travis Reed

Travis J. Reed is the Safety, Environmental and Public Affairs Manager at Lafarge North America – Roberta Plant which is located in Calera, Alabama.  Travis has been a part of the Shelby County community for over five years.  He is married with three beautiful children, all of whom attend Briarwood Christian School.  Prior to moving to Alabama, Travis and his family lived in Tennessee which is his home state.

Phoebe Robinson

  Phoebe Donald Robinson has been an active volunteer all of her life including the Junior League of Birmingham, Altamont School Alumni Association, current treasurer of the Vignette Club in Shelby County, officer at the AFWC District level, current chaplain and Constitution Week Chair at the Daughters of the American Revolution, among other philanthropies.  Phoebe is the owner and third generation President of Donald Real Estate and Insurance Company in Columbiana. She is also a member of the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce, Columbiana Merchants and Professional Association, Columbiana Columnist for the Shelby County Reporter, and attends Columbiana United Methodist Church.  

Brant Sanders

Brant Sanders is employed with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC as a Financial Advisor and has 40 years experience in the financial services industry.He graduated from the University of Alabama and has served in many areas for the University from alumni positions, funding raising,Greek advisor, and a loyal sports fan.Brant and Karen live in Mountain Brook and are members of Canterbury Methodist Church where he has served as Chair of Trustees,Board,and Finance committees.

Tom Seale

Tom’s background includes 29 years of diversified banking and finance experience as well as years of government and community service.  He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Montevallo and is a graduate of both The Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University and Leadership Shelby County.  His government service includes serving on the Columbiana City Council from 1988 - 1992 and from 2000 - present.  He is currently the Mayor Pro Tempore in Columbiana and served as Mayor in 2003.  Tom is employed as the Finance Director for the City of Pelham, Alabama and is a lifelong resident of Shelby County.  He and his family are members of the Columbiana United Methodist Church.

Diana Spencer

Diana Spencer is a fund development professional as well as a member and past President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.  Diana served on the Board of Directors for Aldridge Gardens from 2000-2003 and is currently serving on the Highlands United Methodist Church Foundation Board of Directors.  In 2006, she was awarded for outstanding leadership by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Alabama Chapter.  She also received the 2009 Paul Harris Fellow by Shades Valley Rotary.  Diana is married to James V. Spencer.

Teresa Vick

Teresa Vick is the mother of one daughter, Krista, and has worked in banking and finance for more than 25 years.  She is currently employed by Regions Bank where she is Vice President, Bank Officer and Branch Manager of the Greystone Office. She is a graduate of the Alabama School of Banking and South Alabama Banking School.  She is an active member of the Inverness Kiwanis Club and was a 16-year member of the Inverness Rotary Club.  She serves as Executive Finance Officer for the YMCA–Greystone Board.  She is involved in fundraising projects and volunteer programs for The Amelia Center, the RIFF Reading Program, LifeSouth Blood Center, Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, and United Way of Alabama.

Cam Ward

Cam Ward is the State Representative for District 49 which includes parts of Alabaster, Helena and Pelham.  He and his wife Julie have one daughter named Riley. Cam is an attorney who specializes in economic development for the City of Alabaster.

 

Rhonda Wharton

Rhonda Wharton has studied ballet both nationally and internationally, attending the Alabama School of Fine Arts, the School of American Ballet in New York City, and the Malmo State Ballet in Sweden.  She has performed with the Memphis Civic Ballet and the UAB Ballet.  Rhonda has shared her love of dance by teaching at UAB Children’s Division, Children’s Dance Foundation, Alabama School of Fine Arts Children’s Division, James Hatcher, and Mississippi State University.

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