Youth Legislature Alumni of Distinction

Since its first Session in 1949, the Alabama YMCA Youth Legislature has produced many leaders, in all walks of life. Below is a listing of just some Youth Legislature Alumni of Distinction. We welcome any suggestions for additions to this list.

Joe Rodgers:

1952 Youth Legislature Senator. Later served as United States Ambassador to France in the Reagan Administration.

Richard Holder:

Youth Legislature Delegate from Montgomery. Later became President of Reynolds Metals.

Toni Tennille:

1959 Youth Legislature House Delegate. Noted singer of the “Captain & Tennille” duo, popular in the 1970’s.

James Vickery:

1960 Jere Hardy Award winner. Former President of the University of Montevallo. Currently, serves as a Professor at Troy State University.

Judge Bernard Harwood:

Circuit Judge, Tuscaloosa County.

Jim Campbell:

Youth Legislature Floor Leader, then Majority Leader. Served in the Alabama House of Representatives, 1978-1994, and was Speaker Pro- Tempore of the House, 1987-1994. Currently practices law in Anniston.

James Anderson:

Past Chairman, Alabama Ethics Commission.

Colonel Mike Sullivan:

Former Director, Alabama Department of Public Safety.

Judge Sharon Yates:

Justice, Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.

Cleo Thomas:

1973 Youth Legislature Senate Floor Leader. First African-American SGA President of the University of Alabama. Currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama.

Stephanie Wolfe Bell:

1975 House Jere Hardy Award recipient, and also awarded for Best Bill in that year. Currently serving on the State Board of Education.

Lamar Higgins:

1977 Youth Legislature Lieutenant Governor. Currently is a lobbyist with Fine, Geddie & Associates in Montgomery.

Ken Mullinax:

1977 Youth Legislature Speaker of the House. Currently serves as Press Secretary to United States Representative Earl Hilliard (D-Birmingham).

Caroline McDonald Aderholt:

1986 Youth Legislature Speaker of the House. Wife of United States Representative Robert Aderholt (R- Haleyville).

Porter Bannister:

1989 Youth Legislature Lieutenant Governor. Former Assistant Finance Director to the Governor. Currently serving as a lobbyist for the Business Council of Alabama.

David Parsons:

Commissioner, Alabama Department of Insurance.

Winston Tucker:

1992 Youth Legislature Speaker of the House. First Collegiate Legislature Speaker of the House. SGA President, Auburn University. Currently, a student at Fordham University Law School.

Juli Verma:

1997 Jere Hardy Senate Award recipient. 1998 Alabama Junior Miss. Currently a student at the University of Virginia, and serves on the collegiate staff for Youth Legislature.