AHA welcomes two new Board members

February 4, 2026 — The Alabama Humanities Alliance welcomes Nick Lawkis, of Mobile, and Barney Lovelace, J.D., of Decatur, to its volunteer Board of Directors. Lawkis and Lovelace were appointed to the Board by Governor Kay Ivey; gubernatorial appointees comprise up to 25% of AHA’s Board.

“We are grateful to Gov. Ivey for appointing Nick and Barney to join our Board of Directors,” says Chuck Holmes, AHA’s executive director. “Their distinct areas of expertise — not to mention their passion for Alabama’s history, law, arts, and culture — will help AHA continue to serve this state well through the humanities.”

Governor Ivey’s appointments became official on January 28. Lawkis and Lovelace will be introduced at AHA’s first Board meeting of the year on February 6.

Nick Lawkis

As vice president of government relations for the University of South Alabama, Nick Lawkis covers all aspects of local, state, and federal relations, including for the University and its health system, USA Health. With a total annual revenue of over $2 billion and nearly 12,000 employees, the university is one of the largest employers in the Gulf Coast region.

In addition to his duties at South Alabama, Lawkis serves as chair of the Council of University Governmental Affairs Representatives, representing all four-year universities in Alabama. His professional contributions have earned him distinguished recognition, including being named to Mobile Bay Magazine’s “40 Under 40” and graduating from the Alabama Leadership Initiative program.

“It is an honor to receive this appointment from Governor Ivey to join the good work of the Alabama Humanities Alliance,” Lawkis says. “After visiting with Chuck and learning even more about the mission and impact of AHA statewide, I’m thrilled to lend my support.”

Lawkis is married to Kim (Proctor) Lawkis, chief operating officer of Feeding Alabama. They have two children, who they enjoy taking to a pair of nearby historical sites at the USS Alabama and Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island.

Barney Lovelace

A Brewton native and longtime Decatur resident, Barney Lovelace has spent his career deeply involved in both the legal profession and civic engagement. He is currently senior partner at Harris, Caddell & Shanks, P.C., the oldest law firm in Decatur. He has served as president of the Morgan County Bar Association and is a graduate of Leadership Alabama, Class XIX.

Lovelace has served on the numerous boards, including the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce and as chair of the Decatur Morgan Hospital Foundation. He and his wife Noel are also dedicated supporters of the arts and humanities in Decatur, serving as patrons of the Princess Theatre, the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, River Clay Fine Arts Festival, and the Alabama Center for the Arts.

“I’m excited to join the board of the Alabama Humanities Alliance because I believe stories matter,” Lovelace says. “They’re how we know where we come from and how we figure out where we’re headed. Like the land and traditions we pass down, our history and culture need care if they’re going to last. AHA does that kind of good, steady work, and I want to help make sure Alabama’s stories are kept alive and told right.”

2026 Board leadership

Robbie McGhee, of Atmore, will serve his second year as chair of AHA’s board of directors in 2026. McGhee is an enrolled member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, and has been an advocate for Native American issues at all levels of government. He is in his fifth term on the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Council.

The rest of AHA’s 2025 board’s leadership includes:

• Chandra Brown Stewart, Vice Chair (Mobile): Executive Director, Lifelines Counseling Services

• Clay Loftin, Secretary (Montgomery): Manager of Governmental Affairs, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

• Roger Williams,P.A., Treasurer (Florence): President, Patterson, Price, and Associates, P.C.

• Susan Yvette Price,D., At-Large (Montgomery): Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff, Alabama Community College System

Meet AHA’s full Board of Directors.

Thanking former Board members

In 2025, four Board members completed their service on AHA’s Board of Directors. The Alabama Humanities Alliance, its staff, its grant recipients, and Alabamians statewide were beneficiaries of the good work of:

• Bob Barnett, of Pell City: A structural engineer and an adjunct professor, Barnett ended his Board tenure as AHA’s treasurer in 2025.

• Ed Mizzell, of Birmingham: Managing director at Luckie & Company, Mizzell served two terms as chair of AHA’s Board of Directors, from 2023-2024.

• Trey Granger, of Pike Road: Clerk of court for the United States Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Granger was a gubernatorial appointee to AHA’s Board; he served two terms as chair and played a pivotal role in AHA’s renaming and rebranding in 2021.

• Janice Hawkins, of Troy: The first lady of Troy University, Hawkins was also a gubernatorial appointee to AHA’s Board, providing significant support to AHA’s fundraising and grantmaking efforts.

About the Alabama Humanities Alliance
Founded in 1974, the nonprofit and nonpartisan Alabama Humanities Alliance has served as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Through our grantmaking and public programming, we promote lifelong learning, impactful storytelling, and civic engagement. We believe the humanities can bring Alabamians together and help us better understand the communities we call home.