Council & Staff – Mid-South RC&D

our council
and staff

our board Members

The Mid-South RC&D Council consists of regional volunteers dedicated to improving the quality of life and “filling the gaps” in our communities!

council members by county

Autauga County

Paula Adams, Grace Ellis, Jay Thompson, Debbie Price

Bullock County

Mildred Whittington, Midge Putnam, Alonza Ellis, Roderick Clark

Butler County

Rose Mary Smith, Allin Whittle, Phyllis Dantzler, Tracy Salter

Elmore County

Patty Lambrecht, Desirae Lewis-Jackson, Jimmy Harris, J.O. Norris

Lee County

Leighanna Grice, Bob Harris, Zona Beaty, Ross Morris

Lowndes County

Tyson Howard, James Chambliss, Joey Barganier, Jackie Thomas

Macon County

Anna Barron, Matthew Steel, Miles Robinson, William Hodge

Montgomery County

Monnie Carol Carter, Florence Cauthen, Regina Walker, Julia Precise

Our Staff

Our team members are dedicated to implementing projects, providing support to grantees and community members, and spreading the mission of Mid-South RC&D.

Executive Director

Pamela Hughes

Pam’s passion for meeting needs drives her success as
Mid-South RC&D Executive Director. After retiring as an educator, Pam joined Mid-South in 2015 as Program Manager. Using her skills from the classroom, Pam quickly started working with council members to spread our mission, oversee projects, and assist grantees throughout the region. In 2020, she became Executive Director. Pam is grateful to have the support of our council and staff. She says working alongside people who are equally passionate about “filling the gaps” in our communities is the most rewarding part of her job. Pam likes spending time with her children and grandchildren, reading, and watching Alabama football in her free time. Most of all, she loves quality time with her best friend and husband, Lewis. She says thanks to his love and support, she is inspired to help others and lead Mid-South RC&D.

Program Manager

Krystal Ward

Krystal has served Mid-South RC&D for the last 3 years as Program Manager. Krystal oversees all aspects of the grant process and directly assists grantees with any need they might have. Krystal is an asset to our team with her exceptional organization, advocacy, and work ethic. Her warm personality combined with her dedication to helping others allows her to create authentic relationships with our partners and potential grantees. Krystal loves the mission of Mid-South RC&D and working with our communities to improve and enhance the quality of life for countless individuals throughout our region. Krystal enjoys spending time with her family and traveling in her free time. She resides in Elmore County with her husband, daughter, and 2 fur babies.

Communications Specialist

Katie Smith

Katelyn “Katie” Smith is a 2024 graduate from Troy University with a Bachelor of Science in Communications and a minor in Public Relations. Having joined the team in April of 2024, she is excited to begin her career working for the Mid-South RC&D Council as their new Communications Specialist. Katie is inspired by the positive effects that all the Alabama RC&D Councils have on local communities and admires the compassion of everyone who works to improve the lives of their fellow Alabamians. After being adopted from China, Katie was raised in a tiny town in Marengo County called Vineland, Alabama. Due to the small-town nature of her childhood, Katie has never met a stranger, and she’s always looking to make more friends. During her college career, she was a student journalist for Troy University’s newspaper, The Tropolitan. That experience has allowed her to continue to meet new people and stay connected with the university’s community. While her time at Troy University has been full of hard work, Katie looks back fondly on her college years as being full of good laughs and great people. Katie currently lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her cousin Jane. She loves Montgomery because of all the different places to eat. Her favorite restaurant is Railroad Thai and Cindy’s, and her favorite place to hang out is downtown Prattville by Autauga Creek. No matter where she goes, Katie will always consider home to be Vineland, Alabama. She loves to visit her parents, childhood friends, and her family dogs Mari, Sara, and Ginny. When she’s home, she loves to take her dogs out on nature walks, down county roads, or up creeks.