AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is taking its commitment to Alabama communities to the next level with the introduction of seven new assistant directors for field operations (ADFOs). These dedicated individuals will be the driving force behind regional education and outreach efforts, in collaboration with each of Alabama’s 67 county offices. These individuals began their roles Oct. 1.

In the previous structure, two assistant directors for county operations managed 67 counties with a 33-34 assignment split. With the reclassification of these two assistant directors, and the addition of five more, county Extension offices are poised to better serve stakeholders in every county.

A Strong Move

Alabama Extension Director Mike Phillips said adding these middle-manager-level positions elevates Alabama Extension to a playing field with other Extension systems in the Southern Region.

“We will now be in line with our colleagues across the Southern Region, where this level of staffing is so vitally important,” Phillips said. “The addition of this position in the field will enhance accountability and encourage collaboration as we implement our strategic plan.”

Phillips said tremendous opportunities will be realized with the addition of ADFOs in the field.

Alabama Extension Associate Director Paul Brown said this move is another outward display of the system’s commitment to meeting the needs of Alabama residents.

“The ADFO will provide day-to-day leadership for Alabama Extension’s field operations in a strategic Extension team (SET) and administrative and programmatic support to Extension personnel in a given SET,” Brown said. “These individuals will work in collaboration with assistant directors for programs to assess needs, develop programming and provide leadership.”

Brown said ADFOs and assistant directors for programs will provide leadership in the field and from campus, respectively, to

• build a culture of communication, connection and collaboration.
• reinforce mutual accountability and organizational values through strong SET communities and Priority Program Teams.
• support relevant programming that addresses economic and social challenges of counties, SETs and state.

“We expect to see improved levels of engagement between county Extension coordinators, regional Extension agents and supervisors,” Brown said.

Assistant Directors for Field Operations

The new ADFOs have experience working with Extension personnel and Extension audiences on several different levels. The new ADFOs and their geographical areas of responsibility are listed below.

• Amelia Mitchell, Northwest SET
  • Serving Colbert, Fayette, Franklin, Marion, Morgan, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Walker and Winston counties
• Chris Becker, Northeast SET
  • Serving Blount, Cherokee, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Jackson, Madison and Marshall counties
• Sharon Haynes, West Central SET
  • Serving Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox counties
• Lee Ann Clark, Central SET
  • Serving Autauga, Bibb, Chilton, Elmore, Jefferson, Lowndes, Montgomery, Shelby and St. Clair counties
• Callie Nelson, East Central SET
  • Serving Calhoun, Chambers, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Lee, Macon, Randolph, Russell, Talladega and Tallapoosa counties
• Beau Brodbeck, Southwest SET
  • Serving Baldwin, Butler, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties
• Allie Logan – Southeast SET
  • Serving Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike counties

More Information

Learn more about the seven ADFOs, their Extension history and their vision for the future by visiting the Get to Know Your ADFOs web page on the Alabama Extension website, www.aces.edu.