Growing up in Anniston Alabama allowed me to attend Golden Springs Elementary School and graduate from Anniston High School in 1979. Alicia Litterst and I married on August 8, 1982. The next year, we both graduated from Jacksonville State University, my degree is a B.S. in Computer Science. In 1984, we moved to Gadsden Alabama.

Alicia and I have 3 daughters. The oldest, Laura Wilson teaches history at Gadsden State Community College and is married to Justin Wilson. They have 2 boys, Carter and John Robert. The Middle daughter Allison Morris received her undergraduate degree from Samford University and doctor of pharmacy degree from Auburn University’s Harrison School of Pharmacy. Allison is a Medical Science Liaison at AstraZeneca and is married to Keith Morris. The youngest, Genna Howard is a graduate of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing. She is an ICU nurse at the Methodist Le Bonheur Hospital in Germantown, Tennessee and is married to Barker Howard. They have one son, William.

I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. My church home is Meadowbrook Baptist Church, located on Rainbow Drive in Gadsden, Alabama. I am a long-time member and past president of the Gadsden Rotary Club. Current community service also includes being a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama, the Gadsden City Schools Technology Advisory Committee, and White Caps HOA board president. Past service includes Westbrook Christian School board, and The United Way of Etowah County board president, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Al Board president, Gadsden Commercial Development Authority Board president, and Crystal Tower HOA board president.

During high school and college, I worked in the family business, Distributor Supply Company, Inc. This gave me valuable business experience. My first professional information technology experience was with ComputerLand of Gadsden in 1994. In 1997, I founded Southern Data Automation, Inc. located on Old South 4th street in Gadsden Alabama. In April 2012 we were able to expand to a 6000 square foot facility located on Old South 4th Street near the Gadsden Mall and currently employ 10 people.