Get to Know Our Board Members!
Shoals Young Professionals is managed by a team of talented YPs all dedicated to the Shoals community. Get to know us by checking out some of our favorite things in the area — and some surprising talents, too!
Bethany Green
Florence (but originally from Muscle Shoals)
Assistant Director for Community Service and Outreach at UNA; Adjunct Instructor at UNA; Co-Founder of Shoals Nonprofit Center
Best food in the Shoals right now: Chocolate gravy and biscuits from Staggs Grocery. Staggs is one of those places that really holds a local flair and the fact that they serve a Southern staple for breakfast is by far the greatest combo.
Favorite pre-Covid Saturday night: Gathering around a table at home or a friend's house surrounded by laughter and people I love is my go-to. If I'm treating myself though, it would include a babysitter, a glass of beer or wine from The Carriage, and dinner downtown.
Secret talent: I'm a pro on roller skates. All those nights at Mega Skate paid off for something. Just say "limbo skate" and I'm there.
Randi Davis
Florence
Project Management Assistant at Bank Independent
Best food in the Shoals right now: The Odette cheeseburger — it’s so juicy, always cooked perfectly and comes with amazing ketchup!
Favorite pre-Covid Saturday night: Dinner and a stroll in downtown Florence, then end with ice cream and a trip to Target.
Secret talents: Hand-lettering and organization
Sarah Ann Evans
Florence
Marketing Director at Pet Depot; Co-Founder of Shoals Nonprofit Center
Best food in the Shoals right now: Taco Mama's Hippie Fisherman burrito is my go to! It is always so fresh and packed full of yummy flavors and textures. Plus, who doesn't love a good queso dip?
Favorite pre-Covid Saturday night: I truly miss game nights with groups of friends! Nothing is better than a good evening together playing games and sharing wine or beer and spending time together .
Secret talent: I am crazy good at trivia. From Trivial Pursuit to local trivia to Jeopardy, you want me on your team.
Christi Dorrance
Florence
Universal Banker/Lending Assistant at Progress Bank
Best food in the Shoals right now: I love Taziki's Signature Pasta because it is so fresh and cooked perfectly every time.
Favorite pre-Covid Saturday night: We love going to Swampers at the Marriott to listen to live local music and sit around the fire pits.
Secret talent: My fingers are double jointed. I can bend them all the way back to touch my wrist.
Blake Hale
The Village in Sheffield
Employee Benefits Advisor at Citadel Benefits Group
Best food in the Shoals right now: Atlantic Benedict for brunch from Jack's Bistro. It is a smoked salmon eggs Benedict and literally is hands down the best dish in the Shoals.
Favorite pre-Covid Saturday night: We used to start off with a pre-dinner drink at the Gunrunner Hotel, then have dinner downtown at Odette or Jack's Bistro and cap off the night at The Carriage.
Secret talent: I have been a bartender for a large portion of my life and love to break out those old skills and make cocktails at home!
Randa Hovater
Sheffield
Manager of Media Relations for Visit The Shoals; Sheffield City Councilwoman for District 5
Best food in the Shoals right now: My favorite dish will probably always be an Odette cheeseburger with avocado.
Favorite pre-Covid Saturday night: You could always find my husband, Willie, and me out at dinner or at The Carriage in downtown Sheffield or Florence. I would be amiss if I didn't include the live music that was always on our weekend itineraries!
Secret talent: I make the best homemade chocolate chip cookies! I typically only make them during the holidays, but all of my closest friends ask for them year-round.
Kelsey Ogletree
Florence
Owner of KO Copy, a writing and editing business
Best food in the Shoals right now: The apple cranberry salad from Shoals Shack in St. Florian is the best salad I’ve had in a long time. There’s no seating, so bring your truck and make it a tailgate party.
Favorite pre-Covid Saturday night: I moved here during Covid so don’t know what that is! But ideally, I’d say backyard drinks at our house with friends, then walking to dinner downtown and ending with live music somewhere.
Secret talent: I can sightread pretty much any music and play the piano, drums and marimba.
Alyson Bergner
Tuscumbia
Program Assistant for Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion at UNA
Best food in the Shoals right now: I love the filet and tuna at George’s Steak Pit. I worked there for five years during college. Everything on their menu is so good!
Favorite pre-Covid Saturday night: For date night, I love driving to Riverfront Park and watching the sunset!
Secret talent: I can play piano I took lessons for 8 years.
Josh Russell
Sheffield
Partner at Patterson, Prince and Associates, PC
Best food in the Shoals right now: Sledge’s Bar-B-Q. I’m a big brisket fan and missed them while they were shut down for Covid. Glad to see they’re back open and serving up brisket plates!
Favorite pre-Covid Saturday night: We’re still relatively new here so my wife, daughter and I would spend weekends traveling around the Shoals area, visiting some of our favorite stores and restaurants, walking up the bluff in Sheffield to see the river, or hanging out at one of the parks. There’s nothing like getting in the car and driving randomly to find something new!
Secret talent: I played the violin through my first year in college and still occasionally break it out for fun.
Conner White
Florence
Classified Asset Manager, Bank Independent
Best food in the Shoals right now: My favorite dish is any weekend steak special at Odette. I love the put-together dish with changing sides, but same great steaks.
Favorite pre-Covid Saturday night: I love to enjoy the grill or smoker with friends and a Saturday night football game. I miss weekends at Odette and socializing after dinner with friends from the community.
Secret talent: Not sure I have many talents, but if I did, I don’t think they would be kept secret.
Ruby Villalobos-Adams
Muscle Shoals
Managing Attorney and Founder, Villalobos Adams Law
Best food in the Shoals right now: Mild lemon pepper wings from Soul Wingery! I love the service and atmosphere at Soul — it’s a hidden gem in the Shoals.
Favorite pre-Covid Saturday night: My husband and I enjoy a nice dinner at Yumm Thai Sushi in downtown Florence followed by drinks at The Carriage or Jack's Bistro.
Secret talent: Social media content creation and marketing. Since college I have enjoyed making social media content for my sorority and other student organizations. Now, as a lawyer and business owner, I used this skill to grow and engage several family-owned businesses.
Brittany Jones
Muscle Shoals
Executive Director of Student Success, Northwest Shoals Community College
Best food in the Shoals right now: I love the hibachi steak and shrimp (and the yum yum sauce) at UMI Japanese Steakhouse. The experience is always great, especially the cook who breathes fire.
Favorite pre-Covid Saturday night: With two small boys, it's never a set routine — however if it involves Sky Zone or Chuck E Cheese, sign us up.
Secret talent: I can sing and play drums.