TTW Conference Speakers
Chris Blankenship, Commissioner
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Chris Blankenship is the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), appointed by Governor Kay Ivey in May of 2017. He has been with DCNR since 1994, when he joined the department as a Conservation Enforcement Officer in the Marine Resources Division.
Chris serves on many boards and commissions and is Chairman of the Forever Wild Land Trust Board and Chairman of the Innovate Alabama Council on Outdoor Recreation. Chris also previously served as a member of the Board of Control of the Employees Retirement System of Alabama.
Having been integrally involved in the state’s response to the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Oil Spill from the beginning, Chris has a solid background for the oil spill recovery and restoration work he handles as Governor Ivey’s appointed designee, overseeing all the DWH funding allocated directly to the state of Alabama.
He has been happily married to Allyson Blankenship for 33 years and has three adult children. He is a native of Dauphin Island, Alabama, and currently resides in Montgomery, Alabama.
Nancy Luke Carpenter, Development Director
America250 Mississippi
Nancy Luke Carpenter began her business career in Jackson, Mississippi in 1971 with Unifirst Bank for Savings where she spent 20 years in banking and rose to the rank of Vice President. Additionally, Mrs. Carpenter served as Grant Chairman for the Junior League of Jackson and represented Mississippi State University as a member of the Inter-Alumni Council. In August of 1990 she began her Columbus, Mississippi Banking career, first serving as Vice President of Marketing for First Columbus National Bank. She then served as Regional Vice President of Deposit Guaranty National Bank and AmSouth. In 2006 Mrs. Carpenter was named Practitioner of the Year by the Public Relations Association of Mississippi. She served on the executive committee for the United States Military Academy’s West Point Parents’ Club.
She is a Wingman at Columbus Air Force Base and has served on the advisory board of the Golden Triangle Development Link. She also served as President of the Mississippi Tourism Association Executive Board and continues to serve on this board today.
In 2010 and again in 2024, Mrs. Carpenter served as project coordinator of the restoration of the Tennessee Williams House Museum and Welcome Center. From 2011 until 2024, Mrs. Carpenter served as CEO and Executive Director of the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau. Nancy is a Certified Destination Management Executive, one of three hundred worldwide.
In 2011, Governor Haley Barbour appointed Mrs. Carpenter to the Civil Rights Museum Commission representing the First Congressional District, and she was named to the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH), receiving confirmation from the State of Mississippi. In 2021, Carpenter was reappointed to the MDAH Board of Trustees. In 2023 Mrs. Carpenter was elected Vice President of the MDAH Board of Trustees. The MDAH Board governs the Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Mrs. Carpenter was Business Woman of the Year for the State of Mississippi in 2017. Also in 2017, Lt. Governor Tate Reeves named Mrs. Carpenter to the Mississippi Bicentennial Commission. She was the recipient of the 2018 Women of Excellence Award by the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi and continues to serve on the Advisory Board of Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi. In the fall of 2018, Mrs. Carpenter received Member of the Year from Mississippi Tourism Association. For her dedication to The W, she received the Distinguished Achievement Award in 2019. In the spring of 2020, Mrs. Carpenter was named one of five Golden Magnolias by Mississippi Magazine as a leader in community advancement. In September of 2021, Nancy Carpenter received Member of the Year by Mississippi Tourism Association. She is currently serving as CEO of the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation and has just been appointed, Development Director for the State of Mississippi for America250, which is a non-partisan initiative working to engage every American in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Nancy Carpenter was awarded a Certificate for Strategic Fundraising for Nonprofit Leaders by John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University Executive Education. Most recently Mrs. Carpenter was named one of the Top CEOs by the Mississippi Business Journal.
Dan Caughran, Vice President of Production Operations and Supply Chain
United Launch Alliance
Dan Caughran is the vice president of Production Operations and Supply Chain for United Launch Alliance (ULA). He leads a team of more than 1,000 employees at ULA’s production facilities in Decatur, Ala., and Harlingen, Texas, as well as all the supply chain organization.
Previously Caughran served as vice president of Defense Operations for Spirit AeroSystems. There he led Spirit’s defense programs from the engineering and manufacturing development phases to reliable and efficient recurring production. During his time at Spirit, he held numerous roles including vice president of Global Quality, vice president of Quality and Manufacturing Services, and vice president and general manager of Spirit UK in Scotland.
Prior at ULA, Caughran served as the vice president of Production Operations and as the site lead and general manager for ULA’s Decatur facility. He also led production consolidation activities following the formation of ULA in 2006, including moving Atlas launch vehicle production from Denver and San Diego to Decatur.
Caughran began his career in 1981 as a missile mechanic at Martin Marietta Astronautics in Denver. From 1982 and throughout his time with Martin Marietta, Lockheed Martin and ULA he held various production leadership roles on programs such as Peace-Keeper, Transfer Orbit Stage, Titan, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles.
From 1995 to 1997, Caughran was one of the primary production leaders in the transition and integration of General Dynamics Space Systems (Atlas and Titan Centaur programs) into Lockheed Martin. This included moving final assembly and test of the Atlas and Titan Centaur programs from San Diego to Lockheed Martin in Denver.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Regis University.
Lindsay Cline, Director of Strategic Partnerships
U.S. Navy Maritime Industrial Base
Lindsay Cline knows that success doesn’t always come with a straight path—and she’s living proof that your past does not define your future. After dropping out of high school, she went on to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. At 43 years old, she was awarded her high school diploma—proof that it’s never too late to finish what you started.
Today, Lindsay serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships for the U.S. Navy Maritime Industrial Base, where she helps lead national and trilateral efforts to strengthen the workforce behind submarine and ship production. Before that, she was the President of Education for Phillips Corporation, where she built and expanded manufacturing training programs around the world.
Lindsay has spent her entire career focused on connecting people to purpose—especially in skilled trades and manufacturing. Her work opens doors for those ready to work hard, learn fast and build meaningful careers, no matter where they started.
Anthony J. Gex, Deputy Director
Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals, Inc. (IRPT)
Anthony Gex, Deputy Director of Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals is focused on promoting, educating, encouraging, and marketing each of the association’s members around the U. S. Anthony implements IRPT initiatives, including (in part) critical maintenance backlog, port resilience program, and our shipper relations. In this role, Anthony serves as a resource for growth, operations, development, and education for ports and terminals.
As a former IRPT member, President and Chairman of the Board of IRPT, Mr. Gex has been in the maritime community for over 30 years. His experience includes package logistics, transportation and operations.
In his previous role, Anthony served as the Divisional Manager, Special Projects at Consolidated Terminals and Logistics Co. (CTLC). At CTLC, Anthony was a successful leader in barge, rail and truck freight and logistics, managing operations for 14 terminals in seven states. His 30+ tenure at CGB/CTLC, Anthony gained experience working in the marine, logistics, project cargo, and sales divisions. Anthony has a long and successful career working with shippers and service providers to provide logistical solutions.
Anthony resides with his wife Amy of 36 years in Madisonville, Louisiana. They have two daughters, Chelsea and Ella.
Dr. Joshua R. Hendrickson, Chair
Department of Economics, University of Mississippi
Dr. Joshua R. Hendrickson is a professor of economics and chair of the Department of Economics at the University of Mississippi. Hendrickson’s research focuses on the intersection of monetary theory and political economy. He is a Senior Fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research’s Sound Money Project, a Senior Affiliate Scholar at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and a Senior Fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. He also serves on the board of the Mississippi Council on Economic Education.
Maggie Oliver, Vice President of Communications and Federal Affairs
Alabama Port Authority
Maggie began her career in Washington, D.C., working in the public policy and political communications space. In 2018, Maggie relocated to Mobile, Alabama to start her family with her husband, Todd, and to support their family business, Budweiser Busch Distributing. Following three years of advocating for Mobile-area businesses at the Mobile Chamber of Commerce, Maggie now serves as the Vice President of Communications and Federal Affairs for the Alabama Port Authority.
Maggie has a Master’s degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Leadership from the University of Mississippi’s Trent Lott Leadership Institute. She is also proud to serve on the National Board of Directors for Distinguished Young Women, where she is the immediate past president.
Tami Reist, President/CEO
Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
During her more than three-decade long career in the tourism and travel industry, Tami has lived by the theme expressed by the famous American heroine Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” This theme is carried forth in all her speaking engagements across the country and has had proven results in her professional accomplishments.
Tami is the President/CEO of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA). Her duties include planning, implementing, directing and evaluating all promotional programs as well as overall development of the tourism and travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state of Alabama. The region currently generates more than $4.7 billion in travel expenditures on an annual basis.
Tami’s responsibilities also include strengthening and expanding the membership base of AMLA, a not-for-profit organization that is supported by 500-plus members consisting of Chambers of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, vendors, financial institutions and individuals. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, Dekalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston.
Tami is a board member for a number of tourism and travel related and civic organizations including: Governor Appointee to the Scenic Bylaws Committee, Main Street Alabama, Southeast Tourism Society Legislative Council, Alabama Travel Council of Association Executives, Alabama Association of Destination Marketing Organizations and numerous other local and state travel related groups. Tami is also an instructor at the Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College and has been a contributing presenter to the tourism and travel field of study at Mississippi State University. Among her many recognitions are the ATHENA Leadership Award from the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, the Alabama Travel Council Partnership Award, the Southeast Tourism Dorothy Hardman Spirit Award, inductee into the Alabama Tourism Hall of Fame, inductee into the Morgan County Leadership Hall of Fame and This is Alabama, Birmingham magazine’s Women Who Shape the State honoree, a “Women of Impact” award recipient from Yellowhammer News/Yellowhammer Multimedia, a 2021 graduate of the Appalachian Leadership Institute, a leadership and economic development program sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission,and was named 2024 Tourism Promoter of the Year from the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association.
During her career, Tami has served as the President/CEO of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau; as Project Manager and General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott-Decatur, AL; Regional Manager for Hampton and Country Inn & Suites by Carlson-Decatur and Florence, AL and as General Manager and Project Coordinator of the Amberley Suite Hotel – Decatur, AL.
Tami’s interests include interior design, flying with her husband, traveling and spending time with her grandchildren.
Dr. Loren C. Scott, President
Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc.
Dr. Scott is the President of Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc., a 43-year old economic consulting firm whose clients include such large national firms as BP, BellSouth, Capital One Financial, Entergy, ExxonMobil, J.P. Morgan Chase, Nucor, Sasol and a diversity of others. He is one of the 50-member National Business Economic Issues Council, which meets quarterly to discuss issues of state, national and international interest. This group has experts who cover international trade, Washington economic policy, retail trade, trucking, steel, chemicals and more. Dr. Scott is an energy specialist on the NBEIC. He has been interviewed on CNBC, MSNBC and Bloomberg TV, in addition to several local TV stations, and his work has been cited in such publications as the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, USA Today and the Financial Times, to name a few. His career started at Louisiana State University in 1969 where he spent the next 33 years, rising through the ranks from Assistant Professor to the prestigious Freeport McMoran Endowed Chair of Economics and the Director of the Division of Economic Development and Forecasting. Over the thirteen-year period from 1983-96, he was the chairman of the Economics Department at LSU. During that time, the Department’s ranking among the 3,000 economics departments in the U.S. rose from 101st to 38th. He is presently Professor Emeritus at LSU. He gives 50+ speeches each year on the state of the economy.
Col. Kelcey R. Shaw, Commander
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District
Colonel Kelcey R. Shaw took command of the Mobile District in July 2025, bringing an extensive and distinguished military background. Originally from Saint Louis, Missouri, Colonel Shaw’s career has been marked by a series of challenging and impactful roles, showcasing his dedication to service and leadership.
Following graduation from Tuskegee University and Engineer Officer Basic Course, Colonel Shaw served as an Airborne Platoon Leader in the 30th Engineer Battalion, part of the 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat) (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His platoon completed one of the initial deployments to combat following the tragic events of 9/11. He later held the positions of Executive Officer for the Headquarters Company of the same brigade and Assistant Operations Officer for the 30th Engineer Battalion.
Subsequently, Colonel Shaw served as the Assistant Brigade Engineer for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division in Schweinfurt, Germany. He enhanced his operational knowledge as the Deputy Team Chief for the 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, of the 2nd Iraqi Federal Police Division in Baghdad, Iraq. Additionally, he commanded the Headquarters Company for the 40th Engineer Battalion and worked as the Assistant Brigade Plans Officer for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division in Baumholder, Germany, completing two deployments to Iraq.
Colonel Shaw contributed to the education and training of future leaders, serving as the Senior Small Group Leader, Instructor, and Writer for the Engineer Captains Career Course at the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After completing the Air Command and Staff College, he further served as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Commanding General and Deputy Chief of Engineers at Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Washington, D.C.
His later assignments included serving as Operations Officer and then Executive Officer for the 249th Engineer Battalion at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Then, to enhance his interagency skills, he served as an Interagency Fellow at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Following this fellowship, Colonel Shaw took on the role of Chief of Engineer Plans at U.S. Central Command, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
Colonel Shaw commanded the 27th Engineer Battalion (Airborne), part of the 20th Engineer Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, NC, and deployed to Kuwait. After completing his battalion command, he was selected to serve as a Military Assistant in the Immediate Office of the Secretary of the Army.
His decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (with oak leaf cluster) and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, among others. An accomplished scholar, Colonel Shaw holds multiple graduate degrees and is a licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Project Management Professional. He and his wife, Mrs. Erica Shaw, have two children, twins named Emerson and Anderson.
Natalie Steed, Executive Officer
Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission
Natalie Steed is a civic leader, development strategist, and advocate for public education. She currently serves as Executive Officer of the Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission, which is leading statewide efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. In addition, she serves as Development Officer at the American Village in Montevallo, Alabama – a nationally acclaimed institution dedicated to American history, civics, and leadership education.
With more than 25 years of experience spanning the education, nonprofit, telecommunications, business, and public health sectors, Mrs. Steed has built a reputation for developing collaborative initiatives that connect communities with meaningful learning experiences. She is a hands-on executive whose approach combines creativity, data-informed strategy, and a deep commitment to service.
A former selected participant in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Advocacy Academy, Mrs. Steed has contributed to national education through her work with Cornell University, the National eXtension Initiative and the USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. She was selected as a Healthy Food Choices in Schools Expert and served as co-chair of the Encouraging Kids to Eat Healthy Committee as part of Cornell’s eXtension Community of Practice. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed platforms and recognized nationally for its impact.
Her leadership and community contributions have earned her recognition across multiple sectors, including the Birmingham Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 Award and Community Service Award. She served on the Executive Committee and Board of the Institute for America’s Health, the Child Care Advisory Board of Jefferson County, and as Secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Indian Springs.
Mrs. Steed holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Information Systems and Data Analytics. A lifelong resident of Shelby County, Alabama, she remains committed to advancing education, preserving history, and building healthier, more engaged communities across the state.
Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director
Soy Transportation Coalition
Mike Steenhoek is Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC), an initiative established in 2007 and comprised of the United Soybean Board, the American Soybean Association and fourteen state soybean boards. The Soy Transportation Coalition exists to promote a cost effective, reliable and competitive transportation system that serves the agriculture industry.
As executive director of the STC, Mike’s responsibilities include communicating the initiative and the importance of transportation issues to soybean growers and processors, establishing and executing the organization’s strategic direction and building collaborations with other affected industries.
Mike is a member of the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Freight Advisory Council – currently serving as Chairman.
Prior to his work on the STC, Mike worked for United States Senator Charles Grassley (Iowa) for eight years – both in Washington, DC, and most recently in Des Moines, Iowa. In Washington, DC, Mike served as the Senator’s scheduler and frequent speechwriter. In Des Moines, Mike served as Senator Grassley’s Director of Economic Development.
Mike received both his undergraduate degree and his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Iowa.
Captain Michael Vega, Commander
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile
Captain Mike Vega currently serves as the Commander of Sector Mobile, Alabama. He is responsible for operations spanning 420 miles of the gulf coast and 1,900 miles of inland waterways across the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. He has direct oversight of 18 sub-units, including Cutters, Stations, Aids to Navigation Teams, and a Marine Safety Detachment. This includes leading a team of 594 Active Duty, 206 Reserve, 33 Civilian personnel, and 390 Auxiliarists. He holds the title of Captain of the Port, Federal Maritime Security Coordinator, Federal On-Scene Coordinator, Officer In Charge of Marine Inspections, and the Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator and Active Suspension Authority.
Captain Vega reported to Sector Mobile following completion of senior service school at the prestigious Inter-American Defense College in Washington, D.C. where he collaborated with senior foreign defense and security leaders from 18 partner nations in analyzing and developing hemispheric solutions to multidimensional security threats across Latin America and the Caribbean.
He previously served as the Chief of Response at Sector Long Island Sound from 2021 to 2023, where he was responsible for 277 active duty and 124 reserve personnel, while directing search and rescue; ports, waterways, and coastal security; maritime law enforcement; and marine environmental protection operations across Connecticut, New York, and portions of Rhode Island.
His prior operational assignments include serving as Chief of Enforcement and Contingency Planning at Sector San Juan from 2015 to 2018, leading law enforcement operations throughout Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and directing contingency response operations during hurricanes MARIA and IRMA. Additionally, he served as Executive Officer of Maritime Safety and Security Team New Orleans (MSST-91112) from 2007 to 2010, conducting maritime security response operations to protect our nation from terrorist attacks. He also served as Deck Watch Officer and Boarding Officer aboard USCGC DILIGENCE (WMEC 616) from 2002 to 2004.
His staff assignments include Chief of Operational Plans, Policy, and International Engagement for the Seventh Coast Guard District (D7 dre-35), executing interdiction and apprehension activities with interagency and international partners across the Caribbean. He also served in the Office of Maritime Security Response Policy (CG-MSR) and Office of Performance Management and Assessment (CG-DCO-81) at Coast Guard Headquarters.
Captain Vega graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Government from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 2002. He holds a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University and a Master of Science in Inter-American Defense and Security from the Inter-American Defense College. His military awards include four Meritorious Service Medals, two Commendation Medals, two Achievement Medals, and various Service, unit, and campaign awards.
Captain Vega is married to his wife of 22 years, Lisa. Together they have two sons, Kevin and Nathan, and a daughter, Gabriella.
Forrest Whitehurst, Port Manager
Enviva Pellets Panama City
Forrest Whitehurst joined Enviva in 2019 as a Sr. Quality Manager and now serves as the Port Manager overseeing the Port of Panama City, FL, and the Mobile, AL Port facilities. Enviva, founded in 2004, is a leading global producer of wood pellets that help reduce global reliance on fossil fuels.
In his current role, Forrest is responsible for managing operations at Enviva’s deep-water export terminals, which are strategically located to reduce transportation time, costs, and energy use. His responsibilities include overseeing day-to-day operations, enforcing safety protocols, and ensuring adherence to environmental standards. Forrest plays a key role in maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the supply chain—from plant to port to ship.
At the Port of Panama City, through a strategic partnership, Enviva leases space to store pellets produced by the Cottondale plant. This facility features warehouse storage for 32,000 metric tons and dome storage for an additional 20,000 metric tons. Pellets are delivered via Bayline Railroad, unloaded into a dedicated bulk terminal operated by the Port, and loaded onto vessels under an agreement with SSA Gulf, Inc.
Under Forrest’s leadership, port operations also contribute to the local community by creating employment opportunities, driving economic growth, and supporting community engagement initiatives. Looking ahead, Forrest is preparing for expanded capabilities, as Enviva anticipates utilizing the Tombigbee River for barge traffic in the near future—further enhancing logistical flexibility and reach.
Tracy Zea, President/CEO
Waterways Council, Inc.
Tracy Zea is President/CEO of Waterways Council, Inc.’s (WCI). WCI is the national trade organization that advocates for a modern, efficient, and reliable inland waterways transportation system while representing more than 175 members. Tracy is responsible for ensuring WCI’s yearly and long-term goals and objectives are being accomplished while promoting strong public policy for the Nation’s inland waterways transportation system.
Prior to joining WCI, Zea served on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) for five years. During his time on the Committee, he assisted in legislation related to the Environmental Protection Agency, Tennessee Valley Authority, Army Corps of Engineers – Civil works, and played an integral part in the enactment of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014.
Mr. Zea earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from South Dakota State University.