 Alabama has been home to my family for six generations, and I am blessed with a legacy of strong people who have worked the land and enjoyed the many natural resources our state has to offer.
I grew up in Baldwin County in the same house in Stockton where my 97 year-old mother, Madie, still lives, surrounded by family. My twin brother Steve, lives in Gulf Shores and has represented Baldwin County as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives since 1980.
My early education was at Stockton School followed by Baldwin County High School and Rhodes College where I earned a BA in Economics.
My wife Kathryn and I met in high school and, this past July, celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary. We have two sons, Murphy and William, and our wonderful daughter-in-law Beth. Murphy and Beth are the parents of our two grandchildren, El, 11 and John, 6, who continue to amaze us and make us proud.
My parents brought us up as they were brought up – to have an abiding faith in God, to work hard, give back to the community, take good care of our family, respect the property and rights of others and protect the land.
My life’s work has centered on agri-business, forest products, wildlife protection, natural resource management and the protection of private property rights. I love hunting, fishing and enjoying God’s good earth. And, one of my great joys now, is guiding young John toward the same love of the outdoors.
When I was a boy, I worked on my uncle’s farm and in my father’s sawmill and after college, I continued to work at the family sawmill for nearly 20 years. I became active in local, civic and community affairs and served as Chairman of the North Baldwin United Way and President of the Bay Minette Area Chamber of Commerce and Bay Minette Kiwanis Club.
My first venture into public service was in 1969 when Governor Albert Brewer appointed me to a vacancy on the Baldwin County Commission. I found that I loved public service and decided to run for State Representative in 1974. I was elected that year and was re-elected 1978 and was able to serve on the State Administration Committee and chaired the Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Committee. During my time in the Alabama House I was honored to twice be recognized as the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Legislative Conservationist of the Year.
 Governor Fob James appointed me as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources where some of my proudest accomplishments were being able to play a major role in rebuilding Gulf State Park after Hurricane Frederick, passing legislation to protect Alabama’s wildlife and fisheries resources, and was responsible for the $449 million dollar offshore oil and gas leases which led to the establishment of the Alabama Trust Fund.
I was given the opportunity to work for the Alabama Forestry Association in 1983 and in 1986 was selected to direct the association as its Executive Vice President for the next 20 years.
During my career I have had the opportunity to serve as chairman of the Alabama Forestry Council, the Alabama Forestry Planning Committee, the Alabama Council of Association Executives and the Alabama Civil Justice Reform Committee and as a member of National Federation of Independent Business, Alabama Farmers Federation, Business Council of Alabama, North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, Society of American Foresters, Alabama Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Montgomery Rotary Club, the American Society of Association Executives, and the Auburn University President’s Commission on Agriculture. I am currently serving my 2nd term on the State Personnel Board. And I also serve on the Board of the University of South Alabama Foundation and the Governor’s Commission on Efficiency, Consolidation and Funding.
I am a long time active Republican and member of the Baldwin County Republican Executive Committee and the Montgomery Republican Club. I am also an active supporter of the Alabama Federation of Republican Women and am a member of the National Rifle Association.
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