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David Holt is a distinguished educator and leader with over four decades of unwavering commitment to student achievement and the advancement of Career and Technical Education (CTE). A tireless advocate for excellence in education, David has played a pivotal role in shaping CTE programs that equip students with the skills and confidence to thrive in today’s workforce.
As President of the Guidance Division, David has earned respect for his visionary leadership and strategic communication. Under his leadership, the division has strengthened its support for counselors and educators, promoting best practices in career guidance and student development.
David’s career reflects a deep dedication to mentorship and advocacy. As a career coach, he has guided countless students toward meaningful and sustainable career paths, transforming aspirations into tangible outcomes. His impact extends statewide through his service as Past Vice President and Board Member of the Alabama Education Association (AEA), where he championed policies that uplift educators and advance the quality of public education across Alabama.
A vital force behind workforce development initiatives, David serves on the Leadership Team for the Alabama SkillsUSA organization, working alongside high school and college officers to develop innovative programming that fosters technical proficiency and leadership excellence. His steadfast commitment to CTE and student empowerment continues to shape the future of Alabama’s workforce.
David Holt’s career is marked by a legacy of service, leadership, and an enduring belief in the transformative power of education.
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Teresa Billingsley is an accomplished educator with 26 years of experience in Alabama’s public-school system. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Athens State University, as well as a Master’s degree and an Ed.S. in Business/Marketing Education from Alabama A&M University. Teresa currently teaches Career Preparedness, Hospitality Management and Marketing at Colbert Heights High School in Tuscumbia. Her leadership roles include serving most recently as president-elect of the Alabama Association for Career and Technical Education (ALACTE) Executive Board, following her previous role as the Marketing Section President. She also advises Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) and Future Teachers of Alabama (FTA), and serves as a CHHS Upward Bound tutor with Northwest Shoals Community College. Prior to becoming a DECA advisor in 2018, she served as a Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) advisor. Under her leadership, two of her DECA students, Samuel Ray and Noah Sanderson, won first place in Sports and Entertainment Marketing at the Alabama DECA Career Development Conference.
Teresa is an EVERFI Champion Teacher, Jump$tart advocate, and participant in the Teen Teach- In program. She has also received extensive economic and personal finance training through the Alabama Council on Economic Education (ACEE) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Birmingham. Recognized for her contributions, Teresa received the 2018–2019 State DECA New Teacher of the Year award along with numerous other awards and honors. She is deeply passionate about preparing middle and high school students for success in college and careers. Her hands-on teaching approach emphasizes real-world applications, and she continuously seeks innovative methods to engage and inspire her students. A particularly memorable moment of her career was being elected “Faculty Queen” by her students.
Outside of teaching, Teresa enjoys dancing, reading, and spending time with her daughter, Mi-Tresa, who recently graduated from Alabama A&M University with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), specializing in Speech-Language Pathology.
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Dr. Jason Morgan, a native of Cherokee, Alabama, grew up on a family farm where he developed a strong work ethic and an appreciation for agriculture. A graduate of Cherokee High School (1996), Jason earned a degree in Landscape Design Horticulture from Auburn University in 2002. After returning to his family farm, he discovered his passion for teaching while substituting for his father in Agriscience Education.
Jason pursued a Master’s in Agriscience Education from Alabama A&M University, earning his teaching certificate in 2008. In 2009, he joined Florence Middle School (FMS) as a Career Discoveries teacher, where he has taught for 16 years. During this time, he earned both an Ed.S. (2012) and a Ph.D. (2015) in Career and Technical Education from Auburn University. He also serves as the FMS Technology Student Association advisor and Robotics Team sponsor.
Jason, his wife Brooke, and their five children enjoy spending time outdoors hunting, fishing, and boating. As a passionate advocate for Career and Technical Education (CTE), Jason serves as ALACTE president, championing the critical role of CTE programs and teachers in preparing Alabama’s workforce for the future.
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Cynthia S. "Cindy" McConnell is a dedicated healthcare and education professional with an impressive 46-year career as a registered nurse and over three decades of involvement in career and technical education. She currently serves as the Interim Executive Director of the Alabama Association for Career and Technical Education (ALACTE), a position that allows her to continue her advocacy for career development and workforce readiness. Cindy has been a passionate member of ALACTE for more than 30 years, contributing to the organization's growth and impact across the state.
As a retired Health Science Teacher from Etowah High School in Attalla, Alabama, Cindy spent 26½ years shaping the careers of countless students. She was instrumental in founding the high school’s Health Science program, which has produced many healthcare professionals who work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, veterinary practices, mortuaries, and other medical settings.
Throughout her career, Cindy has held numerous leadership roles within ALACTE, including serving as Health Science Division President, President Elect, President, Past President, and Secretary/Treasurer. She has also contributed at the national level as Health Science Vice President on the National ACTE Board. Her exceptional contributions to education have earned her two Lifetime Achievement Awards from the State and Region II, and she was proudly inducted into the inaugural ACTE Hall of Fame.
Cindy's lifelong commitment to health science education and workforce development continues to make a lasting impact on students, educators, and healthcare professionals across Alabama.
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Felicia Williams, a native of New Site, Alabama, is a dedicated Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) educator. She graduated with an Advanced Diploma from Horseshoe Bend School in 1993, an Associate’s Degree in Arts from Central Alabama Community College in 1995, and a B.S. in Home Economics Education from Auburn University in 1997. Felicia began her teaching career at Elmore County High School before returning to Horseshoe Bend School, her alma mater, in 2006.
Over the years, she has revitalized the FCS program and FCCLA at Horseshoe Bend, introducing innovative courses such as Sports Nutrition and securing impactful credentials like ServSafe Manager and Guest Services for her students. Felicia's work has helped students succeed in state and national competitions, gain valuable skills, and participate in meaningful community service projects.
As a leader in the profession, Felicia has served as President of AATFCS (2015–2017), participated in numerous professional committees, and actively promotes FCS and Career and Technical Education. She resides in Alexander City, Alabama, with her husband, David, and enjoys sewing, decorating, crafting, and yard work in her free time.
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Kimberly Mitchell is the current ALACTE Secretary and the ALACTE Region II Policy Committee representative. She is a past president of ALACTE and a 2016 ACTE National Leadership Fellow. Ms. Mitchell is the immediate past President of the Alabama Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (AATFCS). She has served in various leadership roles on the national level as a member of the ACTE FCS Division Policy Committee and the National Association Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (NATFCS) Board of Directors. Ms. Mitchell has taught on the k-12 level for over 20 years before moving to her current role as CTE Program Chair (FCS Education & Business Marketing Education) at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama.
Ms. Mitchell is honored to assist future CTE teachers as they move through their educational programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She believes in educators becoming advocates for themselves, their students, their programs, and their profession. She knows the importance of having a quality mentor. She has spent her career providing mentorship to other educators to pay forward all that has been given to her during her career. A product of career technical education herself, she knows there is true power in CTE, and what opportunities it can provide for students.
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Bio coming soon!
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Ronald Passmore is a retired Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force with more than 20 years of distinguished service from 1981 to 2002. Throughout his military career, he held multiple leadership positions, most notably serving as Chief of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight at Moody Air Force Base. In this role, he supervised 20 personnel, oversaw training and career development, and provided rapid response Improvised Explosive Device (IED) support to the United States Secret Service in the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001. His military service exemplifies his dedication to discipline, teamwork, precision, and mission success—principles that continue to guide his professional and personal life.
After retiring from the military, Ronald transitioned into higher education and teaching. He earned an Associate of Arts in Instructor Technology and Military Science from the Community College of the Air Force (1991), followed by a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education (Math & Science) from Valdosta State University, where he graduated Cum Laude in 2009 with a 3.6 GPA. He has a Master’s Degree in English as a Second Language from University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he graduated in 2012 with a 3.7 GPA. His academic path reflects the same commitment to lifelong learning and professional development that defined his military career.
As an educator, Ronald’s philosophy is that any child can succeed. He continuously seeks out new ways to improve instruction, linking learning with fun and equipping students with the tools, resources, and knowledge to excel. Known for his ability to individualize instruction based on student needs and interests, he brings strong people skills and a deep sensitivity to the unique challenges faced by each learner. His dedication extends beyond the classroom, with a passion for fostering student growth through extracurricular activities, mentorship, and community engagement.
Today, Ronald leverages his dual background in military leadership and education to make a lasting impact on students, colleagues, and organizations. He remains deeply committed to teaching, leadership, and service, striving always to lead by example and empower others to achieve their highest potential.
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Laycie Bunt is an experienced agriscience educator and FFA advisor, currently in her 24th year of teaching at Pell City High School. Throughout her tenure, Laycie has had the privilege of educating multiple generations of students, instilling in them a deep understanding of the vital role the agricultural industry plays in providing the world with food, fiber, and natural resources.
A proud graduate of Auburn University, Laycie holds dual degrees in Agricultural Business and Economics and Agricultural Education. Her dedication to the field extends beyond the classroom. Over the years, she has contributed to the revision of Alabama's state agricultural curriculum and actively participates in several professional organizations, including Auburn University Women in Ag, the St. Clair County Farmers Federation, and the Alabama FFA Foundation Board. Laycie has also served as the Central District FFA Advisor, further demonstrating her commitment to shaping the future of agricultural education in Alabama.
Laycie and her husband, Rodney, are members of Cropwell Baptist Church. As a member of the ALACTE Board, she is passionate about advocating for agricultural educators across the state, striving to bring a strong, unified voice for agricultural education within Career and Technical Education.
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Bridget Davis is a dedicated Business Education Teacher and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) adviser with 15 years of teaching experience, currently serving at the Lowndes County Career Technical Center. Throughout her career, Bridget has empowered students to develop essential business, leadership, and career skills, preparing them to succeed in both higher education and the workforce.
A proud graduate of Alabama State University, Bridget earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing Education before receiving her Master’s degree in the same field from Ball State University. She is currently pursuing her second Master’s degree in Instructional Leadership at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). She is certified in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (2019) and integrates these tools into her curriculum to give students real-world technical skills.
Bridget served as the Alabama FBLA District 4 Vice President Adviser for the last three years, and this year she is the Alabama FBLA State President Officer Adviser, guiding student leaders at both the local and state levels. In addition to her work in FBLA, she serves as choir director and is active in promoting Career and Technical Education across Alabama. She has also coached track, cheer, and volleyball, and is passionate about creating opportunities for students to discover and grow their talents. Her professional goals include expanding access to high-quality CTE programs, strengthening industry partnerships, and supporting fellow educators in their mission to prepare the next generation of leaders.
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Angela Brockman is an accomplished educator and career coach who empowers students to transform their potential into opportunity, guiding them to explore careers, develop skills, and achieve success after graduation. Her career spans two states and multiple grade levels. She began teaching elementary special education in Kentucky before moving to Alabama, where she taught middle and high school and later served as a Career Tech counselor. In 2017, she began her tenure as a Career Coach, working closely with teachers and administrators to prepare high school students to pursue their postsecondary career goals.
Angela holds an undergraduate degree from Western Kentucky University and graduate degrees from the University of West Alabama and Arkansas State University. She is also a proud National Board Certified Teacher who actively mentors NBCT candidates and advocates for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
As a Career Coach, Angela synchronizes education resources and workforce requirements by creating immersive experiences for students to explore career possibilities. Her initiatives range from district-wide job shadowing programs, to targeted career showcases, to apprenticeships and internships. Through these efforts, she has cultivated a wide network of business and industry partners who support students while strengthening the future workforce.
Angela currently serves as president of the ALACTE Counseling & Career Development Division, is a member of the ACTE Region II Professional Development Committee, chairs the Economic Development Division of her local Chamber of Commerce, and serves as Ambassador for the Alabama National Board Certified Teacher Network. Angela is devoted to ensuring that every student finds purpose in their high school experience, identifies a meaningful career path, and understands the steps needed to pursue that path with confidence.
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Amethyst Vineyard is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a degree in Professional Writing and Public Discourse and of the University of Montevallo with a Master's in Secondary Family and Consumer Sciences Education. Amethyst began her teaching career at Sylacauga High School before transitioning to Chilton County High School. Throughout her teaching career, she has had the opportunity to teach in all three FCS career clusters: Human Services, Hospitality and Tourism, and Education and Training.
Amethyst served on the Course of Study committees for Education and Training and Human Services and helped to craft Plans of Instruction for the new Hospitality and Tourism course of study. In 2024 Amethyst was installed as the President of ALACTE's FCS Division, the Alabama Association for Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (AATFCS). Amethyst also serves as the secretary for the Alabama Association for Family and Consumer Sciences.
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Mrs. Beth Brumley is an experienced Registered Nurse and health science educator with a passion for preparing future healthcare professionals for the workforce. She currently serves Cullman City Schools as one of one of the health science instructors teaching Foundations of Health Science and Sports Medicine. Mrs. Brumley is a graduate of the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and also holds an Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy from Wallace State College.
With more than two decades of healthcare and teaching experience, Beth has worked in hospital, home health, and community healthcare settings while also building strong health science programs in schools. She has supervised countless CPCT and CNA students in clinical settings, developed Colbert County Schools’ first Health Science Academy, and continues to lead through starting the Sports Medicine program at Cullman High School.
Beth’s commitment to education and healthcare leadership has been recognized nationally. She was honored as the ALACTE Health Science New Teacher of the Year in 2018, the ALACTE New Teacher of the year of 2019, the ACTE Region II New Teacher of the Year in 2019, and the ACTE National New Teacher of the Year in 2020.
Beth also enjoys making memories with her husband, James, her three daughters and son-in-law by going to Broadway plays and taking trips together.
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Chevelle Thomas is an experienced military professional and educator with over 28 years of leadership in the U.S. Army and education. She currently serves as the Director of Army Instruction for Mobile County Public School System where she has direct oversight of 12 JROTC high school Army and Navy JROTC programs and 15 LOTC middle school programs. Prior to moving to the district level, she was the Senior Army Instructor for Murphy High School in Mobile, Alabama, where under her leadership, the program earned Honor Unit with Distinction for five consecutive years.
A dedicated advocate for education and youth development, Chevelle has mentored hundreds of students, helping them secure ROTC and academic scholarships, while fostering leadership, discipline, and civic responsibility. Her military career includes key roles in strategic communications, media relations, and crisis management, notably as the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where she led media initiatives that achieved a 23-year high Nielsen rating for the Army-Navy game.
Chevelle holds a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Xavier University of Louisiana. She is also a certified Army JROTC Instructor and has completed extensive professional development in leadership, education, and public affairs. She has received numerous honors over the years to include the Golden Apple Teacher Award and the Ancient Order of Saint Gabriel Medal for Public Affairs, recognizing her outstanding contributions to education and service. She is also a two-time Bronze Star recipient from her deployment to both Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
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Bio coming soon!
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Audrey Marshall brings 32 years of dedicated experience in Career and Technical Education to her role as President of the Work-Based Learning Section of the Alabama Association for Career and Technical Education. She has served the past 10 years as the Work-Based Learning Coordinator for Auburn City Schools and previously spent 22 years as a Business Education instructor. In both roles, she has focused on equipping students with the skills, experiences, and opportunities needed for success in the workforce.
In addition to her work in education, Audrey has served as a technology consultant for educational institutions at both the K–12 and postsecondary levels, as well as for corporate and government organizations, helping them implement innovative and practical solutions. She also enjoys serving on several boards as a board member and through initiatives that promote student success, workforce readiness, lifelong learning, and community impact.