FROM STAFF REPORTS

AUBURN – The Alabama City-County Management Association has announced its new slate of officers and board members for the 2025-26 term.

Approved during the association’s annual summer conference, these individuals represent a cross-section of leaders dedicated to advancing the role of professional local government management in Alabama. The new team brings a wealth of experience, innovation and dedication to the mission of ACCMA and will help steer the organization’s efforts to enhance municipal and county management practices, promote collaboration across local governments and support the professional development of members statewide.

Pelham City Manager Gretchen DiFante was named as president.

“I am passionate about bringing professional management to local government and am honored to serve as this year’s ACCMA president,” DiFante said. “The role of a city/county manager emphasizes professional management over politicized governance as we seek to improve operational stability and continuity by insulating day-to-day operations from political pressures. It is becoming increasingly challenging to separate the operational from the political. Education and assistance are paramount for the individuals striving to keep our local governments sustainable and healthy, and ACCMA is here to provide that.”

Sam Gaston, longtime city manager of Mountain Brook, applauded the appointment.

“When Gretchen DiFante returned to her home state eight years ago to become the first city manager in Pelham’s history, she also jumped in and got involved in professional associations,” Gaston said. “I look forward to her leadership as ACCMA continues to promote and grow professional local government management in Alabama,” he said.

Other officers of ACCMA include:

– President-elect: Roger Rendleman, county administrator, Baldwin County

– Vice president: Cinnamon McCulley, assistant city manager, city of Vestavia Hills

– Secretary/treasurer: Holly Leverette, chief administrative officer, Lee County

– Past president: Scott Kramer, county administrator, Autauga County

The following individuals make up ACCMA’s 2025-26 Board of Directors:

– Megan Zingarelli, city attorney, city of Madison

– Jeff Downes, city manager, city of Vestavia Hills

– Derrick Swanson, city manager, city of Talladega

– Mike Oakley, mayor, city of Centreville

– Rod Morgan, county administrator, Coffee County

– John Bullard, county administrator, Cullman County

– Jesslan Wilson, deputy county manager, Shelby County

– Rick Shepherd, commissioner, Shelby County