John Merrill – Secretary of State, Alabama – July 26th, 2016

Posted By Thomas


john-merrill-newJohn Harold Merrill is the son of Horace and Mary Merrill of Heflin, Alabama (Cleburne County). He was born on November 12, 1963 in Wedowee, Alabama (Randolph County). He grew up in Heflin and is an Eagle Scout from Heflin Troop 206. He is a graduate of Cleburne County High School and The University of Alabama where he served as President of the Student Government Association in 1986-1987.

While attending The University, John served as a Congressional Intern for Congressman Bill Nichols (1983) and Senator Howell Heflin (1984). After his term as SGA President, John became the governmental affairs intern at The Chamber of
Commerce of West Alabama in 1987-88; National Advertising Account Executive and Manager for Randall Publishing Company (now Randall-Reilly); Assistant Director for the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority from 1990-93 where he assisted in the recruitment of Mercedes-Benz; Director of Business Development for The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama in 1987-88; National Advertising Account Executive and Manager for Randall Publishing Company (now Randall-Reilly); Assistant Director for the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority from 1990-93 where he assisted in the recruitment of Mercedes-Benz; Director of Business Development for The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama in 1993-94; and was the Director of Community Relations and Community Education for the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education from 1994-2010; and served as Business Development Officer for 1st Federal Bank in Tuscaloosa from 2011-2015.

John has been married to the former Cindy Benford of Phil Campbell for thirty years. She is a career educator and the former principal at Westwood Elementary School in Coker. The couple has two children, Brooks (25), is an Event Coordinator Manager for The University of South Florida Department of Athletics, and Allie Grace (22), who is an International Flight Attendant with American Airlines.

Full Bio – http://www.sos.alabama.gov/officeofsos/Biography.aspx

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