Professional Profiles

About

Megan Hughes, Chair of the Board

Vice President, Operations and Communication

Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants

1041 Longfield Court

Montgomery, AL 36117

Expertise: Public relations, communications, digital assets, website content

Megan oversees operations for the Society and is responsible for all internal and external communications. She serves as the editor of CONNECTIONS magazine and maintains the ASCPA brand, to include website content and all digital assets. She has nearly 20 years of professional experience in the field of public relations, more than a decade of that time in higher education. Megan earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Auburn University, her master’s degree in public relations from the University of Southern Mississippi and has earned her accreditation in Public Relations.

Most business people recognize the need to automate more of their work, but they struggle to decide where to begin, which tools to utilize, or how to prevent chaos. As a professor of Operations and Information Systems, Zack Jourdan teaches students and working professionals how to use no-code tools like Make to build smarter systems that reduce manual work, eliminate bottlenecks, and unlock real business growth.

Zack is an award-winning Associate Professor of Information Systems. He currently teaches in the College of Business at the University of North Alabama, having spent almost 18 years at Auburn University at Montgomery. He specializes in management information systems, teaching and mentoring students within the information systems management major. Zack earned his B.A. degree and M.S. degree in Information Systems from Mississippi State University and his Ph.D. in Information Systems from Auburn University.

Associate Professor

University of North Alabama

Keller Hall, 105 Shelby Way

Florence, AL 35632

Expertise: Internet marketing, information technologies, student instruction

Zack Jourdan, Vice Chair of the Board

Aaleia Freeman, Treasurer of the Board

Marketing and Resource Development Director

River Region United Way

624 South Perry Street

Montgomery, AL 36104

Expertise: Community engagement, marketing strategy, fundraising

Aaleia Freeman is a dynamic marketing, resource development, and community engagement professional dedicated to creating opportunities and advancing positive change across the River Region as the Marketing and Resource Development Director at River Region United Way. Since joining River Region United Way in 2022, Aaleia has played a key role in expanding opportunities for emerging leaders and strengthening connections between community, business, and nonprofit partners. She co-founded the River Region United Way Junior Executive Board and launched LINC MGM (Lead, Innovate, Network, and Connect Montgomery), a leadership development initiative designed to connect high school students, build leadership and innovation skills, and empower young people to become confident community leaders.

Aaleia earned her BSBA degree in marketing from Auburn University at Montgomery, where she was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, and Order of Omega. She is also a member of Leadership Montgomery’s Torchbearers Class XVI and has served as Vice President of Community Service for the Public Relations Council of Montgomery. Her commitment to service earned her second place in the Public Relations Council of Alabama Community Service Award.

Her leadership and professional contributions have earned recognition throughout the River Region and across Alabama. She was a 2025 Mayor’s Young Professional Council Young Professional of the Year finalist, received the 2026 Women of Impact recognition from the Alabama Women’s Commission, was named a 2026 Alabama Nonprofit Employee of the Year nominee, and received the 2026 Outstanding Young Alumna Award from Auburn University at Montgomery.

Courtney Mason, Secretary of the Board

Manager, Brand Engagement

Experience Montgomery

600 South Court Street

Montgomery, AL 36104

Expertise: Graphic design, destination marketing, web site design, promotional campaigns

Courtney transforms ideas into impact through storytelling, strategy, and design. Driven by a passion for connecting people to purpose and a talent for crafting compelling narratives, she infuses creativity and clarity into the complex projects she undertakes, whether through digital campaigns, branded content, or collaborative initiatives. Courtney has a background in marketing, UX/UI design, and leadership.

She currently works at Experience Montgomery, that is part of the Montgomery Regional Chamber, as their Brand Designer. She earned her bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies in Leadership and Professionalism from Auburn University at Montgomery.

James Jackson, Board Member at Large

Senior Manager of Marketing

Auburn University

23 Samford Hall

Auburn, AL 36849

Expertise: Marketing strategy, brand alignment, relationship building

James Jacson is a Senior Manager of Marketing for Auburn University’s Office of Communications and Marketing, supporting university-wide marketing initiatives and working with campus partners to advance Auburn’s mission and strategic priorities. He earned his BSBA degree and MBA from Auburn University at Montgomery. He was honored as the Outstanding Student of the MBA Program.

James’ background spans higher education, financial services, healthcare, government, manufacturing, utilities, nonprofits, and agency environments. Throughout his career, James has led marketing strategy, digital communications, website initiatives, brand development, and integrated marketing campaigns.

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Zach Ebert, Corporate Parnter (ex-officio)

Founder and CEO

Ebert Design Company

940 Wheat Ridge Drive

Prattville, AL 36066

Expertise: Storytelling, web design, brand identity

Zach Ebert is the Founder and CEO of Ebert Design Company, a brand identity design agency specializing in nonprofits, B Corps, and purpose-driven brands. With over eight years of experience, including leadership roles at River Region United Way, Zach helps purposeful organizations create impactful brands through creative solutions. Growing up in his family’s tree service business, he developed a strong work ethic and a commitment to leaving things better than he found them—values that now guide his agency’s work.

Zach has spoken at events like the 2024 B Corp Champions Retreat, where he contributed to the Regional Collective Impact Workshop. He has also spoken at the Auburn University Cary Center’s Nonprofit Training Series, where he has presented on Nonprofit Web Design and Storytelling. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Jessica, and their two Goldendoodles, Otis and Murphy.

Sandy Atkins, Executive Director (ex-officio)

Retired, Troy University Dept. of Athletics

Executive Director, RealMKTG Consulting Group

624 South Perry Street

Montgomery, AL 36104

Expertise: Internal operations, human relations, budgets

Sandy Atkins has a long history at Troy University as a student-athlete and administrator before retiring in 2025. She joined the Troy staff in 2001 and retired as the Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA). As a member of the department’s executive leadership team, Atkins was responsible for budget management, personnel administration and strategic planning. Additionally, Atkins oversaw the internal workings of the 16-sport program. She was directly responsible for thirteen of the department’s sports programs, the support staff, oversees the business office, compliance and academic as well as the student-athlete well being areas.

Her other responsibilities include: working with head coaches in all programs to coordinate scheduling; coordinating the development and monitoring of budgets for all sports and the overall athletics department budget; assisting in the formulation, implementation and enforcement of departmental policies; strategic planning for the athletics department; and serving as the second in command for all athletics department affairs.

W. Rhea Ingram, Founder (ex-officio)

Professor

Auburn University at Montgomery

Clement Hall, 7400 East Drive

Montgomery, AL 36117

Expertise: Nonprofit leadership, marketing strategy, student instruction

Rhea Ingram, Ph. D., is an award-winning marketing professor at AUM. She is passionate about innovative thought and leading change. Her students engage in service-learning projects involving hands-on experiential learning, specifically with non-profit organizations.

She is a native of Troy, AL. She attended Troy University, earning her BS in Marketing and MBA. Later, she attended the University of Kentucky, where she earned her Ph. D. in Marketing. She resides in Pike Road with her spouse and has a large immediate and extended family.

Rhea is very active in serving her university, profession, and community. She was the former dean of the College of Business at AUM for eight years and currently serves on the boards of Leadership Montgomery, Family Sunshine Center, and Alabama Technology Foundation. She recently was honored as the Best of Board Volunteer of the Year by Hands On River Region (April, 2024). Rhea’s corporate experience was in sales and marketing for a manufacturing firm and an economic development organization.

Her research has appeared in the Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Business Research, Electronic Markets, and other journals and conference proceedings.