Alabama League of Municipalities Elects New President and Vice President During 90th Convention

May 15, 2025 - HUNTSVILLE, AL – The Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM) on Thursday elected Sherry Sullivan, mayor of Fairhope, as its new president and Rusty Jessup, mayor of Riverside, as its new vice president during the business session of the League's 90th convention at the Von Braun Center. Over 800 municipal officials from around the state attended this three-day convention to discuss legislative issues, hear from state leaders, share resources and conduct official business.

"We are excited to have Mayor Sullivan and Mayor Jessup represent our organization as president and vice president during the 2025-2026 year," ALM Executive Director Greg Cochran said. "We believe local government is the closest to the people, and we believe these two will help us continue sharing that important message with Alabamians, ensuring we strengthen relationships and build more vibrant communities."

The nonpartisan organization supports various sized local governments through legislative advocacy, legal assistance and training for elected officials. The president and vice president will serve in their capacities for one year and will represent the organization's more than 450 member cities and towns at meetings and events that aim to give municipalities a voice on local, state and federal levels.

President Sullivan was elected in 2020 and is serving her first term. Prior to running for mayor, she worked for the city of Fairhope for almost 17 years and also worked for Riviera Utilities as director of governmental affairs and economic development. She has served as a member of the League's Board of Directors for the first congressional district, the League's Committee on State and Federal Legislation and on the organization's Alabama Municipal Funding Corporation's Board of Directors. President Sullivan is also a member of the American Public Power Association Policy Makers Council; a member of the Policy Board for the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization; a member of the Electric Cities of Alabama Executive Committee; a member of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Leaders Council; a member of the Baldwin County Mayor's Association; and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Fairhope.

"I am honored and humbled to serve as the next president of the Alabama League of Municipalities," President Sullivan said. With over 450 communities, we have big issues to tackle, and I am committed to working with our members and policymakers to ensure the Alabama League of Municipalities continues to be one of the most powerful voices in Montgomery, if not the most powerful."

Vice President Jessup was elected as mayor of Riverside in 2006. He is a member of the Alabama Municipal Funding Corporation and the League's Committee on State and Federal Legislation. He has served as a member of the League's Board of Directors for the third congressional district and was chairman of the League's Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources for two years. He previously owned an insurance agency and retired after a 34 year career in that industry. He is also the chairman of the St. Clair County Mayors Association and chairman of the St. Clair County Healthcare Authority.

"I am so grateful to be elected by my peers to represent the League as vice president, especially being the mayor of a small town," Vice President Jessup said. "The League offers so many valuable resources to municipalities, and I look forward to working with President Sullivan and local officials, from cities and towns of all sizes, to improve our communities' quality of life for our citizens."

The League also elected the following municipal leaders to serve on the 2025-2026 Board of Directors:

From the First Congressional District:

Ralph Hellmich, Mayor, Foley

Katherine Breeden, Councilmember, Loxley

Mike McMillan, Mayor, Spanish Fort

Newton Cromer, Councilmember, Saraland

Ruthie Campbell, Councilmember, Robertsdale

From the Second Congressional District:

Marche Johnson, Councilmember, Montgomery

Gordon Stone, Mayor, Pike Road

Dexter McClendon, Mayor, Greenville

Jason Reeves, Mayor, Troy

Stanley Stallworth, Mayor, Evergreen

From the Third Congressional District:

Joe Taylor, Mayor, Rainbow City

Billy Pearson, Councilmember, Lincoln

Ron Anders, Mayor, Auburn

Michael Ellis, Councilmember, LaFayette

Scott Reeves, Mayor, Hokes Bluff

From the Fourth Congressional District:

Jennifer Williams Smith, Councilmember, Jasper

Allen Dunavant, Mayor, Glen Allen

Chuck Ables, Mayor, Geraldine

Andrew Betterton, Mayor, Florence

Mike Lockhart, Mayor, Muscle Shoals

From the Fifth Congressional District:

Dana Henry, Councilmember, Athens

Gary Livingston, Mayor, Eva

Jim McCamy, Mayor, Scottsboro

Tommy Perry, Councilmember, Priceville

Connie Spears, Councilmember, Madison

From the Sixth Congressional District:

Mike Oakley, Mayor, Centreville

Ashley Curry, Mayor, Vestavia Hills

Bobbie White, Mayor, Brent

Michael Gay, Councilmember, Millbrook

Theoangelo Perkins, Mayor, Harpersville

From the Seventh Congressional District:

Bobby Scott Jr., Mayor, Center Point

James Perkins Jr., Mayor, Selma

Gwendolyn Rogers, Mayor, Linden

Brian Puckett, Mayor, Helena

Sheldon Day, Mayor, Thomasville

Executive Committee Members (Active Past Presidents)

Mark Saliba, Mayor, Dothan (2024-25)

Randy Garrison, Mayor, Hartselle (2023-24)

Lawrence "Tony" Haygood Jr., Mayor, Tuskegee (2022-23)

Gary Fuller, Mayor, Opelika (2021-22)

Leigh Dollar, Mayor, Guntersville (2020-21)

Ronnie Marks, Mayor, Athens (2019-20)

Howard Rubenstein, Mayor, Saraland (2016-18)

Phil Segraves, Mayor, Guin (2016)

Sadie Britt, Councilmember, Lincoln (2015-16)

Walt Maddox, Mayor, Tuscaloosa (2013-14)

Charles Murphy, Mayor, Robertsdale (2010-11)

Lew Watson, Mayor, Lincoln (2006-07)

Johnny Ford, Councilmember, Tuskegee (1989-90)

ALM was established 90 years ago on May 15, 1935. Gov. Bibb Graves gave the fledgling organization office space in the state capitol building until the members could afford to lease something else and recommended Ed E. Reid serve as the first salaried director. Since then, the League has been led by four more executive directors: John Watkins, Perry Roquemore Jr., Ken Smith and Greg Cochran along with over 80 presidents. The League has also grown to represent 454 member municipalities. Learn more at almonline.org.