Leadership

Harrison Bishop, Chairman
President and Chief Executive Officer, Amerex Corporation

Harrison Bishop joined the McWane family of companies in 2015 and since that time has served in various leadership roles at McWane operating companies involving fire suppression and pressurized vessels. Harrison currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Amerex Corporation, the world’s largest and most innovative manufacturer of hand portable and wheeled fire extinguishers for commercial and industrial applications.

Prior to joining McWane, Harrison was a shareholder of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. (Maynard Nexsen) where he practiced corporate and tax law. Harrison is a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham and has served on several community boards, presently serving on the Executive Committee as Chairman-elect of the McWane Science Center Board of Trustees and on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for Smile-A-Mile. He is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Birmingham, and a member of Leadership Alabama Class XXXIII (2024).

Harrison graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Concentration—Finance), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law with a Juris Doctor, and the New York University School of Law with a Master of Laws in Taxation.

Harrison is excited to be part of the McWane Science Center team as it grows and recasts itself to serve an expanding vision.

Galvin Billups, Secretary

Galvin also serves on several boards, including the McWane Science Center, where he channels his passion for youth, education, and science to support the museum’s mission.

Zac Riddle, Treasurer

Zac Riddle is a certified public accountant and is currently employed as Assistant Controller with Medical Properties Trust, Inc., in Birmingham. Prior to joining Medical Properties Trust, he was employed with BBVA Compass Bank and KPMG LLP. He serves on the executive committees of McWane Science Center and REV Birmingham boards, March of Dimes Alabama Market Board, and is a member of Canterbury United Methodist Church. Riddle is a graduate of The University of Alabama with a bachelor of science degree in business and commerce administration and a master’s degree in accountancy. He is the Immediate Past President of the Jefferson County Chapter of UA National Alumni Association. He lives in Birmingham with his wife, Elizabeth, a speech-language pathologist, and their four children.

Riddle supports McWane Science Center’s commitment to hands-on learning opportunities for children and adults in a fun and engaging space, as well as offering STEM education throughout the state of Alabama.

Adrienne Starks

Dr. Adrienne Starks is a native of Fairfield, AL and received a BS in Biology from Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University (AAMU). She received a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) studying breast and prostate cancer.

Dr. Starks founded STREAM Innovations, Inc. which is committed to helping students develop and explore their passion in Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STREAM) by providing exposure, experiences, and engagement with high expectations for their success.

In 2019, Dr. Starks was selected as one of the 125 AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) IF/THEN Ambassador, which is a national initiative through Lyda Hill Philanthropies to increase STEM exposure to girls by providing women STEM role models from a broad range of STEM careers. In 2022, each AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador had a 3D printed statue exhibited at the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC as the largest collection of statues honoring women in US history.

Currently, Dr. Starks serves on the Executive Council for the Alabama STEM Council which advises the governor on STEM education, STEM careers and workforce development across the state and to develop statewide STEM Ecosystems.

Amanda Loper

Amanda Loper, AIA, LEED AP, is a Principal at David Baker Architects, a progressive, award-winning architecture and urban design firm known for combining social concern with a signature design character. Amanda leads the southeastern office in Birmingham, Alabama, which she established in 2016. Her work integrates architecture and urban design so that each project is a “small but mighty act of urbanism.” Since the completion of her Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Interior Architecture at Auburn University, Amanda has contributed to solving affordable housing crises in San Francisco and throughout the Southeast. She adapts these solutions to help other cities across the country address their own affordable housing crises and enhance livability.

Amanda is honored to serve on McWane Science Center’s governance committee. She lends her expertise in architecture, urban planning and interior design to help McWane leverage the center’s physical building and location within downtown Birmingham to bring visibility to McWane while contributing to the vibrancy of downtown.

Arthur Fisher

As a Public Policy Manager at Grenergy USA, Arthur monitors and analyzes policy (legislative & regulatory) issues and developments that affect the renewable energy sector nationwide. He develops and executes policy positions and government affairs strategies while working with cross-functional teams to prioritize federal, state, and local efforts. He actively participates in trade associations across the country to build partnerships with industry leaders and other external constituents to drive positive policy outcomes.

Fisher also serves as a City Council member in Chelsea, AL, where he and his wife, Jacy Fisher, reside. He is a recent graduate of the Alabama Leadership Initiative (Class VI) and is active in the community, serving on the McWane Science Center Board of Trustees, Alabama Solar Industry Association Board, “Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee” of the Alabama League of Municipalities, and is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham. He was also recognized as a “2024 Top 40 Under 40” Honoree by the Birmingham Business Journal.

Fisher, native of Opelousas, LA, graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. He is also a graduate of Samford University where he received his MBA with a concentration in Finance.

Carolyn Ratliff

Carolyn Ratliff is a dedicated community builder and entrepreneur committed to Birmingham’s growth and improvement. With a foundation in English and a passion for health and the human body, she transitioned from teaching dance and Pilates to owning her own studios.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Carolyn is a philanthropist and advocate for various community initiatives. She serves on the boards of  McWane Science Center, the Cahaba River Society, the Claypool Scholarship Committee, and the Rotary E-Club for World Peace. Carolyn served as the Co-Chair of the Speakers Committee for the International Peace Conference, bringing together hundreds of people in the name of peace and collaboration. She is a member of the Samford Nutrition & Dietetics Advisory Board.

An author and lifelong learner, Carolyn’s diverse experiences and deep-rooted connections to Birmingham make her a valuable asset to the community. She is eager to contribute her knowledge and passion to creating a brighter future for the city.

Carolyn and her husband, Will have three adult children, two of whom are married, and one grandson.

David Germany

David K. Germany is Vice President and Assistant Treasurer at Protective Life Corporation. In this role, he works with the corporate treasurer in the development and management of banking relationships, maintaining and monitoring rating agency relationships, and capital raising activities.  Prior to joining Protective, he spent 17 years within the commercial banking department of Regions Bank.

An active participant in various economic, civic, and community organizations, David currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Birmingham Airport Authority. He is also a member of the Board of Advisors for the Birmingham Business Alliance, and Opportunity Alabama.  David received his undergraduate degree in Investment Finance from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and holds an MBA with a concentration in finance from Emory University’s Goizueta School of Business.

As a youth, David was a standout shooting guard at Parker High School where he played in two state championship games under legendary coach, Cap Brown. He enjoys reading, traveling, golf, stock trading, and outdoor activities. David and his wife, Jasmine and their seven-year-old son, Christian, reside in Homewood.

David Killion

David Killion serves as President and CEO of Shook & Fletcher Services, which is a leader in supporting world-class contracting companies including Vulcan Industrial Contractors, Vesta Industrial Contractors, and Shook & Fletcher Supply Company.  Prior to joining Shook & Fletcher, David was an attorney in private practice with the law firm of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC.  The Killion family has supported McWane Science Center since its inception, and David is proud to carry on that legacy along with his wife, Katy, and their three children.  David believes that introducing children to STEM concepts through engaging hands-on experiments is a crucial first step towards developing our next generation of skilled trades workers and is passionate about supporting McWane as it continues to lead early STEM education efforts statewide.

Farah Lubin

Finis St. John V

General Counsel, The Ōnin Group

Finis St. John serves as General Counsel for The Ōnin Group, one of the largest staffing firms in the United States, as recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Ōnin relies on Finis to manage all of the company’s legal affairs. Prior to joining Ōnin, Finis was a shareholder with the law firm of Maynard Nexsen PC, where his practice focused primarily on mergers and acquisitions and general corporate matters.

Henna Budhwani

Professor, Florida State University

Dr. Henna Budhwani holds the endowed Michale and Paula Read Phelan Professorship in Obstetrical Nursing at Florida State (FSU) College of Nursing on Digital Health and Innovation (IDHI). As an Implementation Scientist and socio-behavioral interventionist, Dr. Budhwani conducts studies to address the causes and consequences of disparities among stigmatized populations that experience adverse health outcomes in resource-constrained settings. Dr. Budhwani’s research is informed by sociological constructs, guided by human rights frameworks, and adopts a multidimensional view of addressing public health and clinical care gaps. As a community-engaged scholar, she has conducted studies with various underserved populations in the southern United States and across Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa.  Dr. Budhwani has received multiple awards relevant to her work on the McWane Science Center Board including the Vulcan Award from the Mayor of Birmingham, Top 40 Under 40 from the Birmingham Business Journal, and being a Smart Party Honoree by the Women’s Foundation or Alabama. In addition to being a Fellow in the Society of Behavioral Medicine, she is a member of the Societal Experts Action Network (SEAN) of the National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine (NASEM).

Dr. Budhwani notes, “with technology advancing rapidly, we must inculcate curiosity early in childhood, provide ongoing support for educators, and create opportunities for lifelong learning that will lead to careers in science, technology, and engineering.  McWane Science Center has the potential to address all of these needs in Alabama, and I am committed to supporting the McWane Science Center to make this happen.”

Jeanne Monk

Principal Staffing Lead, Boulo Solutions

Jeanne Monk serves as the Principal Staffing Lead at Boulo, a company dedicated to providing personalized recruiting services for full-time, part-time, and contract positions across corporate sectors. Fondly recalling her childhood visits to Discovery Place, she has cherished the opportunity to share similar experiences with her three children at McWane over the years. With a degree in Natural Resources from the University of the South (Sewanee), Jeanne has a deep passion for science and takes great joy in witnessing the excitement it ignites in both children and adults during hands-on science activities.

John Harbert

Director of Investments, Harbert Management Corporation

John Harbert is the SVP of Strategy at Harbert Management Corporation, working on firm-wide strategic initiatives including data management, technology strategy, corporate responsibility, business development and capital formation. John holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Economics from the University of Virginia and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Alternative Investments from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. John is involved in his community and serves on the Board of Governors for Birmingham Legion FC, the Board of Directors at Red Mountain Theatre Company, the Board of Trustees at McWane Science Center, the Board of Directors of the TumTum Tree Foundation, the Board of Directors at Harbert Realty Services, the Board of Advisors for the White Ruffin Byron Center for Real Estate at UVA, the Board of Advisors for the Winchester Institute for Real Estate at Auburn University and is an active member of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club.

John is passionate about Birmingham and STEM education and finds immense value in what McWane Science Center provides for the community and its families. He grew up going to the predecessor organizations and vividly remembers the curiosity and wonder sparked by his first visits to the Center as a child. With two young children of his own now, John Harbert and his wife Kelly love having such a dynamic and wonderful place to take them to learn and grow.

Kate Mather

Teacher, Better Basics

Kate Mather first became involved with McWane Science Center when she brought her children to play and learn when they were younger. Growing up in Birmingham, Kate also has fond memories of visiting the Discovery Place museum, one of McWane’s predecessors. Currently, Mrs. Mather is a dedicated homemaker, community volunteer, and active leader with a passion for supporting education and strengthening local programs. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Kate now resides in Birmingham with her husband and three children. She is deeply committed to making a positive impact on her community through a variety of volunteer roles.

In addition to her work with McWane Science Center, Kate serves on the board of Smile-A-Mile, an organization that supports children and families affected by childhood cancer, and is an active member of the PTO Board at her children’s school. She is also heavily involved in community outreach through her church, Independent Presbyterian, where she contributes to programs that serve the broader Birmingham area. Because of her passion for expanding educational opportunities for all children, Kate is also a reading tutor through STAIR and has previously worked as a math intervention teacher with Better Basics. Kate is excited to be part of the board of McWane Science Center as we work to expand STEM education and make science and learning more accessible and impactful for all.

Katie Bee Marshall

Co-founder, Marshall & Shaw, LLC

Katie Bee Marshall, originally from Birmingham, AL, distinctly remembers field trips and outings to the Red Mountain Museum (one of the McWane Science Center predecessor museums) as a child and early teen.  She received a BSE in Civil Engineering from Princeton University and spent time in New York and Virginia before coming back to Birmingham in 2009.  Katie Bee is a founder of Marshall & Shaw, a family office services business, and is married with three children.  Her love for McWane stems from an appreciation of the unique now-generational experiences that the organization provides for her home state and beyond to a larger southeastern footprint.

Lee Meadows

Executive Director, Alabama STEM Council

Lee Meadows, Ph.D., lives in Birmingham and is a science educator passionate about engaging Alabama kids in STEM education and McWane’s vital role in that. He guided the launch of Alabama STEM Council as its first Executive Director, focusing the work on the critical role of STEM education in building the thriving workforce Alabama needs. Before that he worked as professor in the UAB School of Education, guiding science teachers to improve their classroom practice with engaging, active learning. A teacher at heart, he has taught high school science, college chemistry, and many teacher education courses. He has written and spoken across his career on the teaching of evolution in the Deep South and is the author of two books on the subject.

Maggie Bolin

Financial Research & Reporting Manager, Vulcan Materials Company

Maggie Bolin is the Senior Manager of Financial Research & Reporting at Vulcan Materials Company. In this position, she is responsible for various external financial reports submitted to the Securities & Exchange Commission and assists in the implementation of new accounting standards. She is a Certified Public Accountant and received her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Master of Accountancy from Auburn University. In her spare time, Maggie enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian, and their two children, Addie and Brooks. Maggie believes McWane Science Center plays an integral role in STEM education and outreach for the youth in our local communities.

Matt Pierce

CEO, Immediate

Matt Pierce, Founder and CEO of Immediate, leads one of the fastest-growing companies in the fintech marketplace, dedicated to empowering working Americans through financial wellbeing and pay access. Under his leadership, Immediate has produced four consecutive years of triple-digit growth and successfully secured over $35m in funding, a strong validation of the company’s mission and values. Matt’s vision for Immediate goes beyond business success; he aims to cultivate a mission-driven culture focused on leadership and collaboration, a goal that garnered him the title of 2023 Birmingham Business Journal CEO of the Year.

Milton Davis

Vice President of Economic Development, Clayco

Milton Davis is the Vice President of Economic Development for Clayco, a fully integrated real estate development, master planning, architectural, engineering, and construction company. Milton is a registered Professional Engineer who graduated from The University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Later, he earned an MBA from The University of Alabama at Birmingham, and also completed the construction management program at Texas A&M University.   He was inducted into the State of Alabama’s Engineering Hall of Fame in 2023.

As an engineer, Milton is passionate about serving on the McWane Science Center Board because the Center is an excellent introduction to STEM education for our young people.  The future is bright for careers in engineering and construction!

Pronce Acker

Principal, Xi Capital

Pronce Acker, with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Rose-Hulman, has a strong technical foundation and a passion for science and technology. He has held leadership roles, notably as CTO of Guardian Healthcare Solutions, where he developed healthcare auditing systems and IT infrastructure, and as CIO of Revenue Cycle Solutions, where he led the development of multiple software systems. Currently, Pronce works as a startup advisor and venture capital investor, assisting early-stage companies in areas like technology, governance and finance. He gives back to the community as a past coding coach for a state champion First Lego League team, as a member of the Society of International Business Fellows and as a member of the Rotary Club.

Pronce Acker is a proponent of STEM education. With a degree in Electrical Engineering, Pronce developed a passion for all things science and technology at an early age. As a Chief Technology Officer turned venture capital investor, he sees the educational value that McWane Science Center can bring to people of all ages. In his free time, he enjoys travel, hiking, cooking, movies, photography and seeing what he can cook up with electronics and computers.

Robby Hayes

Regional Vice President & Division Manager, Brasfield and Gorrie

Robby Hayes is native of Birmingham and graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School and Auburn University.  Upon receiving a Building Science degree, Robby started his career with Brasfield & Gorrie in the Birmingham office where he has worked on numerous projects and roles within the company’s Healthcare and Commercial market sectors within Birmingham, the state of Alabama and the Southeastern United States.  In September 2024, Robby started his 23rd year with the company where he currently serves as a Regional Vice President for Brasfield & Gorrie’s Commercial market sector within Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle.  Robby is married to Lauren and they have three children together.  Robby and Lauren are both passionate about the greater Birmingham area and invest their time and talents into organizations that work to promote a culture of community.

Stephen Owens

Vice President, Talent Acquisition & Planning, Kemper

Stephen Owens serves as Vice President of Human Resources for Kemper Corporation, a firm which provides low cost, affordable insurance solutions. He has served in a variety of roles in his career including sales, leadership development, and various HR executive roles. He believes strongly that education and learning create opportunities to lift people up.

Recognizing the critical role McWane Science Center plays in creating the highly skilled talent and engaging environment that makes Alabama a great place to live and work, Stephen has served on the Board since 2017 and is excited about being a part of McWane Science Center’s transformation.

Whitney Wright

Corporate Head of Communications and Partnerships, Une Femme

Whitney Wright has over 20 years of experience in strategic communications, branding, messaging, public relations, fundraising, and crisis management. Her career spans a range of industries (from finance to hospitality to energy) and she has worked and consulted for an array of entities from startups to Fortune 500s to nonprofits. She is currently the Head of Communications and Partnerships for Une Femme, a San Francisco-based startup as well as a consultant to numerous C-Suite executive teams across the US.

Whitney earned degrees in Industrial and Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University and believes fervently in the power of a STEM education. She is passionate about ensuring that every child in Alabama has access to the wonders of science, the innovations of technology, and the analytical foundations that come with engineering and math.