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.

David Holt is an experienced educator with over 40 years in the field, dedicated to fostering student success and advancing career and technical education (CTE). With a strong track record of leadership and advocacy, David is currently serving as the president of the Guidance Division, having been a member since 2015. His role as president has allowed him to demonstrate effective leadership, communication, and organizational skills, earning the trust and support of his colleagues and division officers.

Throughout his career, David has helped guide numerous students toward successful career paths as a career coach. His leadership experience extends to his time as Past Vice President and Board Member of the Alabama Education Association (AEA), where he worked tirelessly to advocate for educators and improve Alabama’s educational landscape.

David is also a key member of the Leadership Team for Alabama SkillsUSA, where he collaborates with high school and college officers to develop programs that enhance students' technical skills and leadership abilities. His passion for CTE and his commitment to the growth of Alabama’s workforce are central to his dedication to supporting student success.

Daryl Behel is a dedicated agriculture educator with 24 years of teaching experience across Mississippi and Alabama. Raised on a dairy farm in Greenhill, AL, Daryl has always had a deep connection to agriculture, which led him to pursue a degree in Agriculture Education from Mississippi State University, graduating in 2000. He has spent the last two decades inspiring and educating the next generation of agricultural professionals.

Daryl’s teaching career spans ten years in Mississippi and a decade in Alabama, where he has made significant contributions to both state and national agriculture education organizations. He has served as President of the Mississippi Association of Agriculture Education (MAVAT), Region V Vice President of the National Association of Agriculture Educators (NAAE), and President of the Alabama Association of Agriculture Educators (AAAE). Currently, Daryl is the Past-President for the Alabama Association of Career and Technical Education (ALACTE), where he works to strengthen connections among CTE educators nationwide.

Through his active involvement in these professional organizations, Daryl collaborates with fellow educators to share best practices, enhance the quality of agricultural education, and advocate for the growth and success of students across the country.

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.

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.

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.

Dr. Chris Kennedy, Ed.D., is the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director for Houston County Schools and the most recent recipient of the Alabama Career and Technical Administrator of the Year. With a background as an Agriscience teacher, Education Specialist, and Administrator overseeing Technical Education, he also served as the Alabama SkillsUSA State Director. Passionate about advancing CTE, Dr. Kennedy is dedicated to supporting teachers and creating more opportunities for students. He is honored to serve on the Alabama Association for Career and Technical Education (ALACTE) board, where he seeks to further contribute to the growth of CTE in Alabama. 

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.

Shellie Ballard-Thomas is a dedicated Business Management and Administration teacher at Florence High School in Alabama, where she also serves as the FBLA Adviser and the instructor for the First Metro Bank Falcon Branch. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Shellie is the current Business Section President for the Alabama Association for Career and Technical Education (ALACTE) and serves on the Alabama FBLA Administrative Board, where she works to strengthen the role of business education across the state.

Before joining Florence High School in August 2023, Shellie spent 22.5 years at Colbert Heights High School, where she was a Business Teacher and FBLA Adviser for both the high school and middle school chapters. During her tenure at CHHS, she guided her students and chapters to numerous accolades, including Chapter of Distinction, Alabama Blueprint for Success Outstanding Level, Gold Seal Chapter, and Outstanding Chapter of the Year for the district. Under her leadership, many students earned top placements at the state level, advancing to the national FBLA conference. Shellie was also honored as the Alabama FBLA Middle School Adviser of the Year for 2022-2023.

Outside of the classroom, Shellie enjoys attending Alabama Crimson Tide football games, reading, and traveling to new destinations, with a special stop at Buc-ee’s. She is married to Brad Thomas and shares her home with their two fur babies, Ellie and Nick. Shellie remains committed to shaping the next generation of business leaders through her passion for education and student success.

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.

Wendy Davenport is a dedicated Registered Nurse with 27 years of clinical experience and 12 years of teaching health science. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Jacksonville State University, which laid the foundation for her extensive career in healthcare and education. Wendy has served as a clinical adjunct instructor for Bevill State and Wallace State Community Colleges, where she nurtured aspiring healthcare professionals.

Currently, she is a nurse aide evaluator for nurse aide certification with Prometric, ensuring that future caregivers meet the highest standards of care. At the Walker County Center of Technology, Wendy passionately teaches health science, empowering students to pursue careers in healthcare.

An active member of ALACTE since becoming involved in Career and Technical Education (CTE), Wendy has benefited from invaluable professional development at the summer conference, which she views as essential preparation for each school year. Serving on the ALACTE board, she plays a vital role in planning and advocating for health science educators across the state. Her commitment to professional growth and advocacy has deepened her understanding of the challenges teachers face, making her a strong voice for health science educators in Alabama.

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.

Teresa Billingsley is an accomplished educator with 25 years of experience in Alabama's public school system. She holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Athens State University, as well as a Master’s and Ed.S. in Business/Marketing Education from Alabama A&M University. Teresa currently teaches Career Preparedness and Marketing Principles at Colbert Heights High School in Tuscumbia.

Her leadership roles include serving as president of the ALACTE Marketing Section and as an advisor for DECA, FBLA, Future Teachers of Alabama, and Upward Bound. Teresa is also an EVERFI Teacher Ambassador, Jump$tart advocate, and a participant in the Teen Teach-In program. Recognized for her contributions, she received the 2018–2019 State DECA New Teacher of the Year award and represented Alabama at the 63rd Financial Literacy & Economic Education Conference.

Teresa is 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 consistently seeks innovative methods to engage her students. A highlight of her career was being elected "Faculty Queen" by her students.

In her personal life, Teresa enjoys dancing, reading biographies, and spending time with her daughter, Mi-Tresa, who is studying speech-language pathology at Alabama A&M University.