On Thursday, the Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM) elected Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan as its new president and Riverside Mayor Rusty Jessup as its new vice president during the business session of the League's 90th convention in Huntsville.
Over 800 municipal officials from around the state attended this three-day convention to discuss legislative issues, hear from state leaders, share resources and conduct official business.
"We are excited to have Mayor Sullivan and Mayor Jessup represent our organization as president and vice president during the 2025-2026 year," ALM executive director Greg Cochran said. "We believe local government is the closest to the people, and we believe these two will help us continue sharing that important message with Alabamians, ensuring we strengthen relationships and build more vibrant communities."
The nonpartisan organization supports various-sized local governments through legislative advocacy, legal assistance and training for elected officials. The president and vice president will serve in their capacities for one year and will represent the organization's more than 450 member cities and towns at meetings and events that aim to give municipalities a voice on local, state and federal levels.
Sullivan was elected in 2020 and is serving her first term. Before running for mayor, she worked for the City of Fairhope for almost 17 years and for Riviera Utilities as director of governmental affairs and economic development.
"I am honored and humbled to serve as the next president of the Alabama League of Municipalities," Sullivan said. "With over 450 communities, we have big issues to tackle, and I am committed to working with our members and policymakers to ensure the Alabama League of Municipalities continues to be one of the most powerful voices in Montgomery, if not the most powerful."
Jessup was elected as mayor of Riverside in 2006. He previously owned an insurance agency and retired after a 34-year career in that industry.
"I am so grateful to be elected by my peers to represent the League as vice president, especially being the mayor of a small town," Jessup said. "The League offers so many valuable resources to municipalities, and I look forward to working with President Sullivan and local officials, from cities and towns of all sizes, to improve our communities' quality of life for our citizens."
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