The Alabama Association of School Boards has installed a slate of new leaders to its 2025 Board of Directors, including Geneva City school board member Russell Clausell, the association’s new president. Clausell and other leaders were sworn in Saturday, Dec. 7, during the closing general session of AASB’s Annual Convention held at The Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa.  

Clausell will serve a one-year term at the helm of the association representing all of Alabama’s public local school boards, including nearly 900 local school board members. These school boards provide leadership that impacts the lives of the state’s nearly 750,000 public schoolchildren.  

"Russell brings a profound commitment to student success as well as a passion for school safety," said AASB Executive Director Sally Smith. "His thoughtful leadership style and deep understanding of education will strengthen both our association and public schools across Alabama. We're thrilled to have him as our new president and know he will do an outstanding job." 

Clausell succeeds Brad Ingle of the Walker County Board of Education, who will remain on the AASB Board of Directors as immediate past president.  

Scott Suttle of the St. Clair County Board of Education was installed as the association’s new president-elect.

Reelected to serve second terms on AASB’s 14-member Board of Directors were District 1 Director Ann Peach of the Brewton City Board of Education, District 5 Director Derek Henderson of Alabaster City Board of Education, District 7 Director Randy Smalley of the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education and District 9 Director Alice Lessmann of the Madison City Board of Education.

District 3 Director Melanie Hill of the Dothan City Board of Education was elected to serve her first full term on the AASB Board. 

Three individuals received appointments to serve out the balance of vacant terms Dr. Chante Ruffin of the Alexander City Board of Education was appointed to fulfill the balance of the term vacated by previous District 4 Director Matilda Woodyard-Hamilton of the Tallapoosa County Board of Education; Michael Webb of the Calhoun County Board of Education was appointed to fulfill the balance of the term vacated by current AASB President Elect Suttle; Donna Jones of the Haleyville City Board of Education was appointed to complete the term of former Director 8 Director Jimmy Dobbs of the Morgan County Board of Education.  

"Our incoming leaders bring exceptional vision, proven track records, and diverse perspectives from across Alabama," Smith said. "Their collective experience and dedication will be invaluable as we work to strengthen public education and advance our mission of excellence for every student."  

AASB has nine districts representing geographical areas of the state. The district directors, along with AASB’s officers, govern the association’s activities. Non-voting members of the Board include Smith, who serves as secretary and treasurer, and Dr. Tonya Chestnut who serves as the State Board of Education liaison. Also serving on the board are District 2 Director Camille Gibson of the Bibb County Board of Education. 

Russell Clausell 

AASB President Russell Clausell has been a member of the Geneva City Board of Education since 2015 and currently serves as board chair. Clausell previously served as AASB District 3 Director, representing the school boards of Andalusia, Barbour County, Coffee County, Covington County, Crenshaw County, Dale County, Daleville, Dothan, Elba, Enterprise, Eufaula, Geneva, Geneva County, Henry County, Houston County, Opp, Ozark, Pike County and Troy.  

Clausell has achieved master honor roll status in the School Board Member Academy and earned more than 420 training hours. He has been an active member of the association, serving on the Advocacy, Bylaws, Resolutions and Executive Committees.

An active member of the Wiregrass community, Clausell also currently serves as chairman of the Geneva County United Way; chaplain for the Wiregrass Hospital; Geneva City Planning Commission; Chaplain of the Geneva Police Department, Geneva Rotary Club, and Advisory Board for Bankplus.

Retired from the U.S. Army in 1998, Clausell now serves as assistant pastor of Saint Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church. 

Scott Suttle

AASB President-Elect Scott Suttle has served as a member of the St. Clair County school board since 2001 and currently serves as board president. He previously served as District 6 Director and is a 2021 recipient of the All-State School Board Award, the association’s highest honor for school board members. Suttle has reached master status in the AASB School Board Member Academy with more than 520 training hours and served on the AASB Resolutions Committee.

Retired from a 40-year career with Thompson Tractor, Suttle is a licensed helicopter pilot and occasionally volunteers to assist the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department. 

Brad Ingle 

AASB Immediate Past President Brad Ingle is president of the Walker County school board, where he has served since 2008. He served two full terms as District 7 director before being elected to a one-year term as president-elect in 2022.

Ingle has attained master status in the AASB School Board Member Academy, earning nearly 320 training hours and has served on numerous AASB committees including the Advocacy, Bylaws, Board Training Advisory, Budget & Finance and Equity Committees. He also serves as a trustee for both the Alabama Trust for Boards of Education and the Legal Assistance Fund. 

A native of Walker County, Ingle is a senior manager for a leading energy company and serves on the board of directors for the Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center. 

Ann Peach

As District 1 director, Ann Peach represents the Alabama School of Math & Science, Baldwin County, Brewton, Chickasaw, Clarke County, Conecuh County, Escambia County, Gulf Shores, Mobile County, Monroe County, Orange Beach, Saraland, Satsuma, Thomasville and Washington County school boards. 

Peach, a certified public accountant, is president of the Brewton City Board of Education, where she has served since 2016. She has reached level 3 in the AASB School Board Member Academy, earning nearly 160 training hours. Peach also has served on AASB’s Board Training Advisory and Bylaws Committee.  

Melanie Hill

As District 3 Director Melanie Hill represents the school boards of Andalusia, Barbour County, Coffee County, Covington County, Crenshaw County, Dale County, Daleville, Dothan, Elba, Enterprise, Eufaula, Geneva County, Geneva, Henry County, Houston County, Opp, Ozark, Pike County and Troy. Hill has been a member of the Dothan City school board since 2021 and has reached level 3 in AASB’s School Board Member Academy with nearly 150 training hours. She also has served on the AASB Resolutions Committee.

Hill currently works as the southeast Alabama field representative for U.S. Senator Katie Britt.

Dr. Chante Ruffin

As District 4 Director, Dr. Chante Ruffin represents the school boards of Alexander City, Auburn, Bullock County, Chambers County, Clay County, Coosa County, Department of Youth Services, Elmore County, Lanett, Lee County, Macon County, Montgomery County, Opelika, Phenix City, Pike Road, Randolph County, Roanoke, Russell County, Tallapoosa County and Tallassee.

Ruffin, a pediatrician in the Alexander City area, joined the Alexander City school board in 2020 and has reached level four in the AASB School Board Member Academy, with nearly 130 training hours. She also has served on the AASB Resolutions Committee. 

Derek Henderson

As District 5 director, Derek Henderson represents the Alabama School of Fine Arts, Alabaster, Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Homewood, Hoover, i3 Academy, Jefferson County, Leeds, Legacy Prep, Midfield, Mountain Brook, Pelham, Shelby County, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills school boards.

Henderson has served as a member of the Alabaster school board since 2013. He has reached master honor roll status in the School Board Member Academy, earning more than 440 training hours. He also has served on the AASB Budget & Finance, Nominating and Equity Committees. 

Henderson is one of four recipients of AASB’s 2022 All-State School Board Award, the highest honor the association bestows in recognition of exemplary boardmanship. A retired insurance professional, Henderson also previously served as a trustee for the Alabama Trust for Boards of 

Michael Webb

District 6 Director Michael (Mike) Webb represents the school boards of represents the school boards of Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Anniston, Attalla, Calhoun County, Cherokee County, Cleburne County, DeKalb County, Etowah County, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Jacksonville, Oxford, Pell City, Piedmont, St. Clair County, Sylacauga, Talladega County and Talladega. 

Webb has served on the Calhoun County Board of Education since 2018. He has reached level three in AASB’s School Board Member Academy, with more than 175 training hours. Webb was employed as an officer with the Anniston City Police Department for 12 years and now owns his own business.

Randy Smalley

As District 7 director, Randy Smalley represents the Fayette County, Greene County, Hale County, Jasper, Lamar County, Marion County, Pickens County, Sumter County, Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, University Charter School, Walker County and Winfield school boards. 

Smalley, a small business owner, is president of the Tuscaloosa County school board, where he has served since 2016. He has reached the master level in the AASB School Board Member Academy, earning more than 300 training hours. Smalley also has been an active member of AASB’s Advocacy Committee.

Donna Jones

District 8 Director Donna Jones represents the school boards of Athens, Colbert County, Cullman, Cullman County, Decatur, Florence, Franklin County, Haleyville, Hartselle, Lauderdale County, Lawrence County, Limestone County, Morgan County, Muscle Shoals, Russellville, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Winston County.

Jones, who served as an educator for over three decades, joined the Haleyville City Board of Education in 2016. A passionate advocate for public education, she regularly engages with local elected officials to champion student needs. Her commitment to board development is evident through her service on AASB's Resolutions and Board Training Advisory Committees and achievement of level four status in the School Board Member Academy with nearly 220 training hours.

Alice Lessmann

District 9 Director Alice Lessmann represents the school boards of the Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering, Albertville, Arab, Blount County, Boaz, Guntersville, Huntsville, Jackson County, Madison, Madison County, Marshall County, Oneonta, and Scottsboro.  

Lessmann has served as a Madison City school board member since 2020 and has reached master level in the School Board Member Academy with more than 180 training hours. She also has served on AASB’s Board Training Advisory and 75th Anniversary Committees.

A native of the Huntsville/Madison area, Lessmann served 21 years in the Alabama National Guard, retiring as an officer. She has earned numerous awards for her entrepreneurial success and civic contributions.

About AASB

The Alabama Association of School Boards represents all of the state’s public local school boards. Since 1949, AASB has served education leaders and the interests of local decision making in public education. The association’s mission is to develop excellent school board leaders through quality training, advocacy and services.