Ronnie Smith Appointed JSU Trustee



JSU Trustee Ronnie Smith

May 10, 2004 -- Mr. William Ronald ("Ronnie") Smith of Oxford, vice president of the Eastern Division of Alabama Power Company, has been appointed to the Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees, replacing the last member of the University's original Board, Mr. Charles T. "Pete" Mathews of Clay County.

JSU President Bill Meehan said, "Mr. Smith has many close ties to Jacksonville State University. He serves on the JSU Foundation and on our College of Commerce and Business Administration's advisory board. We are pleased he will be joining us, and we look forward to working with him. He is very familiar with our University, as his wife has been an adjunct faculty member, and two of his children have earned JSU degrees and been student athletes."

Dr. Meehan applauded Mr. Mathews for his 37 years of service to the board.

"Including his years here as a student, plus his years promoting JSU's growth as an alumnus and during his tenure in the Legislature, Mr. Mathews has actually given JSU about a half century of service. When he was appointed to the institution's first Board in 1967, tuition for a full-time load was $130. Mr. Mathews has left his mark in many ways, but one of his greatest achievements was helping to keep JSU's tuition the lowest in the state, which helped thousands of first-generation college students afford an education."

Mr. Smith, whose 12-year appointment became effective last week with Senate confirmation, represents the Third U. S. Congressional District on the Board. He is originally from Abbeville, in Henry County, and has lived in various areas of Alabama since beginning his career with Alabama Power Company in 1973. He and his wife Betsy have three children and one grandchild.

Before becoming vice president in 1994, Mr. Smith progressed through various areas of responsibility in Birmingham, Southeast Division, Western Division, and corporate headquarters. He served as the chief negotiator for Alabama Power Company's labor contract negotiations in 1998 and 2001.

Mr. Smith attended Auburn University and earned his electrical engineering degree in 1972. He continued to further his education by attending The Emory University Business School in 1994 and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University Graduate School of Business in 1996.

Mr. Smith's other community contributions include: serving as past chairman and member of the Ft. McClellan Reuse and Redevelopment Authority and as a member of numerous organizations and boards including the Economic Development Consortium and the Choccolocco Council of Boy Scouts of America.

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