The List November 2010
TRACY ALLEN WILLIFORD
As the event director of Alley Station, Tracy Allen Williford dedicates her days to creating small fairy tales for her clients. After graduating from Birmingham Southern College with a bachelor’s degree in Art, the certified interior decorator spent two years at the Renaissance Hotel perfecting her craft.
After being introduced into the bustling world of event planning and soaking up as much knowledge as she could, Tracy began her own path at Alley Station. The closest photographer is passionate about giving each client personal, exclusive attention, in turn making their event an illustrious success. Although event planning is quite a wearing profession, the time and effort is all made worth it when Tracy sees “the excitement on a new bride’s face and the relief on an event planner’s face when the event blows everyone out of the water,” says the proud mother of 20-month-old Avery. With the impressive clientele of Alley Station, it’s a good thing this weekend waterhole fisher enjoys planning parties!
JB EDWARDS
Whether it be painting, sketching or sculpting, every artist has their specialty, and that of JB Edwards lies in his vision of landscape design. After studying computer information science at Auburn University, JB mastered his form of outdoor art at Ashworth College, where he studied landscape design.
Upon graduation, JB overcame the threat of a slumping economy and limited advertising and launched his own landscape design, consult and contracting business, Curb Appeal Landscapes, that has seen continued success throughout the River Region. The proud father of two girls is thrilled to have the opportunity to transform his clients’ outdoor spaces into picturesque scenes and admits that his stirring success is in large part due to his loyal clients. His green thumb has even been spotted nationally as he had a hand in the landscaping of the Montgomery household that was featured on Extreme Home Makeover in 2009. The landscape artist is also obsessed with anything water.
ANGIE SWEATMAN
In early 2000, Angie (Bolin) Sweatman moved back to Alabama with her sons, Brannon and Christian, to be close to her family after spending almost 10 years living in Georgia, Texas, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Currently the vice president of Alabama Small Business Capital, the newlywed grew up in Montgomery... And that is where she met and married husband John Sweatman. Upon re-entering the workforce in Montgomery around August 2000, Angie didn't let the intimidation of a decade at home raising her sons slow her down. Armed with a bachelor's degree in Finance from Samford University, she has been making a name for herself in the banking industry and commercial lending field. Working with the SBA 504 Loan Program for more than 12 years, Angie helps small business owners by assisting in their financing needs on a daily basis. "It is very rewarding having a hand in making business owners dreams a reality, funding real estate and long life equipment purchases under the SBA 504 Loan Program”.
ADAM BAGNI
Adam Bagni, the professional envy of every local sports fanatic, has been chasing his dream for as long as he can remember. Now the sports director of ABC 32 WNCF-TV, the graduate of La Salle University has come a long way from first telling his parents, “I want to get paid to talk about sports on TV.”
A native of Taunton, Massachusetts, Adam has called Montgomery home since February 2008, where he has contributed to the community by not only keeping us updated on the world of sports, but also coaching an under 10 YMCA soccer team and speaking to communication students at the University of Alabama. His extroverted personality has served him well in his career, as he’s had to conquer the dozens of obstacles that arise in TV media, including the overwhelming competition, low paying beginning jobs and working nearly every Thanksgiving and Christmas. But the support of his family and his personal perseverance pushed Adam to achieve.
JACOB ANDREW COOK
The born and raised Montgomery native Jacob Andrew Cook, a junior consultant with the Auburn Montgomery Center for Government, actively advocates for the improvement of the hometown he loves. After dabbling in landscape architecture, this public servant graduated from Auburn University in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
He then served two years as a research assistant with the center while simultaneously completing the coursework for his master’s degree in international relations at AUM. Upon obtaining his current position, Jacob recently teamed up with the Alabama Department of Homeland Security and the Alabama Department of Education to advance the safety mechanisms of our school campuses should a natural or man-made disaster strike. Even though he stays busy with his contributions to the United Way, EMERGE Torchbearers and the Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College, the former college guitar player still manages some downtime.
BRECK HONEA
After growing up, going to college and owning a nursery in Mississippi, Breck Honea left everything he knew behind to take a leap of faith in Montgomery as an insurance agent for State Farm. With his track record of being a top producing agent and being qualified for the Elite Ambassador Travel every year, we agree that our city is lucky to have him!
His risk paid off as the community has placed their confidence in him to aid in their financial planning for families and businesses throughout the River Region. The former finance major finds joy in the ability to help his clients not only realize their dreams, but execute a plan to get them there. The honors graduate is not just brains, as he played in the Jr. College World Series his sophomore year, where his team placed third in the nation. After retiring his bat, Breck enjoys spending his free time landscaping and making memories with his new bride, Carolyn.
LASHUNDA LEWIS
With a background of serving 20 years in the United States Air Force, LaShunda Lewis is a true beacon of humility and patriotism. Currently an instructor at the Defense Financial Management and Comptroller School, Eaker Center, Maxwell Air Force Base, the admitted thrill seeker is delighted to have a hand in increasing the knowledge levels of her students.
As someone that actually enjoys public speaking (humorously said to be more feared than death), it’s no wonder that LaShunda also passionately loves to teach. “I wake up every morning looking forward to what the day holds and the lives I may touch,” says the frequent traveler. Although she still considers herself a “work in progress,” LaShunda has undoubtedly proven herself through her years of service to our country and her dedication to her education. A self-described lifelong learner, LaShunda is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.
SCOTT BELL
For Scott Bell, founder and president of local billboard advertising company Bell Media, entrepreneurship is in his blood. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, including his father and brother, and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship from Auburn University has given Scott the guidance and knowledge needed to create a successful company.
Despite the many challenges and risks involved in starting a business, Bell Media’s first billboard was constructed only two months after Scott graduated in 2007, and now has more than 225 billboard spaces located throughout Alabama and West Georgia. “The challenge is what makes owning a company so interesting and fulfilling,” says the avid golfer. In efforts to give back to the community that has been responsible for the young entrepreneur’s success, Bell Media has contributed thousands of dollars of free advertising to non-profit organizations this year alone, including the American Red Cross and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
LINDSEY REED
Paint brush in hand, artist Lindsey Reed is doing her part to make Montgomery a more beautiful place with her elegant art collections. The former interior design student moved from Memphis to Montgomery with husband Carter in 2004, where her friends, after seeing her talented work, encouraged Lindsey to have an art show.
After bustling for two weeks to put everything in order, the show was a smashing success. Various locations throughout the city agreed to sell her work, and before long Lindsey was getting orders faster than she could fill. And as they say, the rest is history. With her business taking off, Lindsey has the opportunity to spread her faith through her vibrant paintings of rugged crosses, angels, ocean scenes and more. Although she finds joy in her art, Lindsey’s business also allows her the time to soar in her true passion, being a mother. To catch a peak at her work, check out lindseyreeddesigns.com.
REBECCA BAKER
For Rebecca Baker, a manager at Aldridge, Borden & Company, educating her clients on the impacts of their financial decisions while dually serving as president of the Montgomery Chapter of Alabama Society of CPA’s and as an account executive of United Way is all in a day’s work.
After graduating from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and obtaining her master’s of business administration from Auburn University at Montgomery, Rebecca began her career with Aldridge, Borden & Company in 2004 after her impressive work as an intern led to her hire. Even though working full time was demanding on her time, Rebecca’s dedication to her profession gave her the motivation to pass the CPA exam in 2006. With all that energy, it’s no wonder the go-getter also teaches a boot camp called Power Hour two mornings a week before work. Rebecca attributes her success in business to the lifelong support from her family and the family-oriented atmosphere of her firm.