Speaker Bios - Alphabetical by Last Name
Daryl received his law degree from Jones School of Law in 1996. Prior to graduating, he began his career with the district attorney’s office in 1994 and became the county district attorney in 2014.
During his tenure, he prosecuted numerous high-profile cases and was frequently at the center of the state’s most important criminal issues. He is a perfect fit to represent the law school to potential students. Jones has been recognized as one of the fastest growing law schools in the country.
Graduates, like Daryl, receive a top-tier law school education with a distinctively Christian focus, allowing them to serve their employers and community with the highest ethical standard.
Rachel (Priola) Bailey was born in Muncie, Indiana, and spent her early childhood in Pensacola, Florida. When she was a teenager, her family moved to Alabaster, AL, where she graduated from Thompson High School. In the fall of 1995, she enrolled in Faulkner University, majoring in Secondary Mathematics Education. Rachel and her husband, Scott, met while at Faulkner, and both graduated in the spring of 1999 with degrees in education. After graduation, Scott and Rachel moved to Decatur, AL, and began working in the local school system. Rachel has a master’s degree in Secondary Math Education and an Educational Specialist’s degree in Teacher Leadership. Rachel was an accomplished math teacher and named the Decatur City School’s District Teacher of the Year in 2012. She spent 19 years in the classroom before moving into school administration, first as an Instructional Coach and currently as an Assistant Principal at Austin High School.
Rachel and Scott have three children, Jake, Judd, and Avery Jane, who second only to God are the focus of their lives. One of Rachel’s greatest joys is seeing her former students throughout the community and hearing their success stories. In her free time, Rachel enjoys watching sports and traveling with her family in.
Laura Jean Bell earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Faulkner in 2014. While a student, she was a member of Phi Lambda and served as the club’s vice-president for two years. She was also a member of Faulkner’s running club and Faulkner’s chapter of Stella’s Voice, a service club that spreads awareness about human trafficking and helps those targeted for sex trafficking. As a senior, she was nominated for the Homecoming Court and Miss Faulkner. She was also the vice-president of the “Blue Crew,” a pep club that supported sporting events.
One week after graduation, Laura Jean married her high school/college sweetheart, Cody Bell, and, shortly thereafter, began a career comprised of various jobs in different industries, including wedding planning and floral design, restaurant service, urban ministry, and photography. In keeping with her love for writing, she has also worked as a writer and monthly contributor for Journey Magazine, a freelance reader, editor, and ghost writer for medical professionals, a social media manager, and a professional blogger.
Laura Jean and her husband both have an entrepreneurial spirit, which they have followed for several years. She and Cody started, owned, and operated a small coffee company for a couple of years. Market Town Coffee Company, their bicycle cart business, served downtown Montgomery and events in the capital city and the southeast. The Bells peddled coffee for a cause: part of the company’s profits benefited organizations in Alabama that fought against human trafficking. In recent years, thanks to a lot of effort and God’s direction and help, the couple has built up a profitable rental property portfolio. Laura Jean manages the properties from New Harmony, Alabama, where the Bells now live and work with the tree crop on the family farm. Laura Jean also works as a business and social media coach, helping female entrepreneurs expand their business through social media growth. And she is now a published author. Laura Jean’s book You Can Always Come Home: Following the Breadcrumbs of Your Past to Find the Hope for Your Tomorrow was released in October 2024. Faith and family are Laura Jean’s favorite topics. By God’s grace, she and Cody have three children of their own: Emmy Lou, Oaks, and Lottie.
Blake Boren brings 17 years of diverse experience in high school and collegiate athletics to his role as Athletic Director at Prattville High School. Throughout his career, Coach Boren has excelled in multiple leadership roles, including Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, and Head Coach for Golf, Bowling, and Tennis. His impressive tenure is highlighted by championships such as the 2009 Hoover High School Football State Championship and the 2019 Mountain Brook Men’s Golf State Championship.
Coach Boren earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Faulkner University in 2009. He later received his Master of Education from Auburn University at Montgomery in 2019 and is currently enrolled in the Educational Leadership Program at the University of West Alabama.
From 2012 to 2017, Coach Boren served as Assistant Football Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and Recruiting Coordinator at Faulkner University. During this time, he was part of two conference championships in 2013 and 2014. As Offensive Coordinator for the 2015 team, Coach Boren helped lead the program to its highest national ranking in school history at #3. Under his guidance, the offense set numerous school records, many of which still stand today.
Prior to joining Prattville High School, Coach Boren led Montevallo High School's athletic programs as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach. During his tenure, he achieved significant milestones, including the addition of Women’s Wrestling and Flag Football programs and $250,000 in facility upgrades. Under his leadership, the football program secured three consecutive seasons with seven or more wins.
Coach Boren’s wife, Amanda, is also a proud graduate of Faulkner University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in 2012 and her Master of Education in 2016. Amanda is a PE teacher at Prattville Primary School. Together, they are proud parents to Logan, Brayden, and Conner. The Boren family are active members of the Prattville Church of Christ.
Allena Burbage is a graduate of Alabama Christian Academy and received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Faulkner University in 1999, where she graduated Cum Laude. She obtained her Masters of Science degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University in 2007.
For the last sixteen years, Allena has worked with adults, adolescents, and children with varied issues and mental health diagnoses. Her clinical interest and experience for adults include: anxiety, depression, work stress, family stressors, parenting issues, supportive therapy, grief, and marital stress. Her clinical experience for adolescents and children includes behavioral issues such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, school stress and adjustment issues. Allena is also a Certified ADHD Professional.
Allena provides cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and relaxation therapy, behavioral modification therapy and supportive therapy services for adults, adolescents and children.
Page Clayton is the Youth Minister at University Church of Christ in Montgomery, AL. He has been married to his wife, Mary Beth for 13 years. They have a 6-year-old son named Bo, a 3-year-old son named Will, a 2-year-old daughter named Isie Jane, and are licensed foster parents in the state of Alabama. Page graduated from Faulkner University in 2011 with a degree in Youth and Family Ministry. Before getting into youth ministry, Page worked as a Faulkner Admissions Counselor and then taught high school Bible classes at Alabama Christian Academy for 6 years. He loves getting to work with teenagers, as well as watching, coaching, and talking about baseball (especially the Cleveland Guardians).
Trae Durden is the Connections Minister for the Beltline church of Christ in Decatur, Alabama. He served as the Preaching Minister for the North Highlands church of Christ in Russellville, Alabama prior to Beltline and as Campus Minister for the Tide for Christ Ministry in Tuscaloosa before that. Trae is married to Leann Edmondson Durden, and they have two children, Darcy Grace (21) and Dalton (18). Trae graduated from Faulkner University in 1998 with a degree in Biblical Studies. He has worked in ministry for over 25 years.
Madelyn Furlong graduated from Faulkner University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. During her time at Faulkner, she learned deeply and explored her interests widely, largely because of her friends and professors. She also participated in the Great Books Honors College, graduated Summa Cum Laude, and received the President’s Award.
Since her high school years, Madelyn aspired to own a business, and she was still determined to start her corporate career right after graduating from college. But her career did not go quite as planned. After college graduation, Madelyn decided to continue to test out her “side hustle,” which was social media management at the time. During this period, she also worked part-time jobs at Sweet Home Books, an independent bookstore in Wetumpka, and as the administrative assistant for Faulkner’s president, Mitch Henry. Though very different in nature, both jobs were instrumental in her personal and professional growth.
Eventually, Madelyn took the leap into entrepreneurship, when her side-business turned into a full-time job. She has since expanded her business pursuits, becoming a marketing strategist and website designer, and loves helping small businesses turn their leads into sales.
Madelyn lives in small-town Wetumpka, Alabama, and when she has some downtime (which can sometimes be hard to come by as an entrepreneur!), she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with family.
James Graboys first joined the Montgomery Police Department in 1991. His career there had spanned over two decades in which he served and supervised in Patrol, Juvenile, Community Oriented Policing, and Administrative Divisions. After serving at every level of command, he was awarded both the Medal of Valor and Medal of Merit before retiring from the agency in 2011.
In 2011, He became a member of the Alabama State University Police and HR departments where he instituted and administered the Federal VAW grant on the campus and creating an ongoing program to combat sexual and domestic violence on the campus and within the community. Shortly thereafter He assumed the duties of Chief of the Alabama State University Police Department where he served until 2019.
In 2020 he began working with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) serving as a Senior Compliance Specialist until he was called in June of 2024 to serve as the Interim Chief of Police for the Montgomery Police Department. In January of 2025, he was named sitting Chief of Police. He is a 1990 graduate of the Citadel with a BA in Political Science/ Criminal Justice.
Dr. Lindsey Greenwood is originally from Decatur, Alabama. She graduated from Faulkner University in 2008 with a B.A. in Biology and continued her education at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center where she obtained a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2011. Lindsey has practiced in Texas and Alabama including 10 years at Children’s of Alabama where she was the lead physical therapist in the Transitional Rehab program; a program focusing on children recovering from brain Injuries, spinal cord injuries and neurological disorders as they transitioned into a high frequency outpatient setting. She currently has her dream job working with Montgomery Public Schools as a school-based therapist. She is Vice President of the local Ambucs adaptive tricycle organization and leads the River Region Community Therapist Group which promotes networking and continued education with pediatric therapists in the River Region.
Lindsey is married to Aaron Greenwood (Faulkner c/o 2009) and have three beautiful children, Brooklyn (9), Houston (5) and Eliza (4) and are active members at Vaughn Park Church of Christ.
Josh Guy graduated from Faulkner University with a Bachelor of Arts in Instrumental Music in 2018. During his time at Faulkner, Josh was honored by the opportunity to march with the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps. He was also appointed to serve as Faulkner’s Band President (2015) and held the position until graduation. In recognition of his contributions to the Faulkner Music Program, the Music Department awarded Josh the Instrumental Music Award.
Josh felt led to pursue music at Faulkner because of the profound influence of his former directors. He wanted music to be the avenue by which he, too, could make an impact in the lives of students he works with on a daily basis.
Josh’s career in music has reinforced his belief in the adage attributed to Hans Christian Anderson: “When words fail, music speaks.” A member of the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) and the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA), Josh has directed award-winning competitive marching and symphonic bands throughout his career. He has worked as the Director of Bands at Trinity Presbyterian School (2021-2024) and at Middle Tennessee Christian School (2019-2021). He is currently the Director of Bands at Alabama Christian Academy (ACA), from which he graduated in 2014.
Josh is happily married to Marisa (Sutton) Guy, a Faulkner alumna. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 2018 and later earned a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education. She taught English for six years before becoming a recruiter for Faulkner’s College of Education. Josh and Marisa are proud to be Faulkner Eagles!
Jasond Kelly-Bradley is a dedicated legal professional currently serving as a Legal Assistant for The Chapter 13 Trustee for the Middle District of Alabama, where he has been instrumental for the past one an a half years. In this role, he provides critical support in bankruptcy proceedings, ensuring the efficient administration of Chapter 13 cases.
Previously, Jasond worked as a Senior Paralegal for The ADA Group, LLC, where he played a vital role in advocating for individuals with disabilities, helping them secure equal access to public accommodations. His commitment to justice and equity continues to shape his professional journey.
A graduate of Faulkner University, Jasond earned a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies in 2016. During his time at Faulkner, he was an active member of the university chorus, Faulkner Singers, and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
A native of Montgomery, AL, Jasond later relocated to Prattville, AL, where he graduated from Prattville High School in 2010. His strong sense of family and faith is central to his life. He is the son of Lamar and Chantal Bradley and has one brother, one sister, and two god-sisters.
Beyond his legal career, Jasond is an active member of Bell Road Church of Christ, where he has served as Minister of Music, a teacher, and a dedicated servant for many years. His passion for faith, family, and community drives his mission to be a servant leader, embodying the love and compassion of Christ in all that he does.
With a heart for service and a commitment to excellence, Jasond Kelly-Bradley strives to make a meaningful impact in the legal field and the lives of those around him.
Affectionately known as "Coach Kiss" by his students and athletes, Ben Kissinger is the husband to Victoria and Father to Colt. Ben graduated in 2015 from Faulkner University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education where he played Football and was a member of Epsilon Phi Upsilon.
In his 10 years as an educator, Ben has served in a variety of roles teaching PE, Health, and other electives from K3-12th grade. He has served as an Athletic Director, Head Coach, and Assistant Coach for a variety of different sports in his career. He currently teaches Middle and High School Bible along with other secondary electives at ACA helping students navigate through life's twist and turns while glorifying God. In his own words, "There is no greater work worth doing than leading young people to Christ." Ben and his family also attend Landmark Church of Christ.
Maggie Tipton Melvin is a proud native of Selma, AL, where she resides with her husband, Garrett Melvin, whom she married in 2020. Together, they share a deep passion for the cattle industry and enjoy spending time outdoors. Outside of their full-time careers, they actively assist Maggie’s father in raising and selling Wagyu beef.
Maggie attended Faulkner University, where she played softball on a scholarship from 2016 to 2020. As a catcher, she was dedicated to the game, but her senior season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the abrupt end to her athletic career, the experience catalyzed her path into the medical field. She began working as a clinical assistant with a vascular surgeon just before graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and a Minor in Business.
Following advice from her mentor, Maggie pursued a Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies at Faulkner University, graduating in 2023. She is now a full-time orthopedic surgical Physician Assistant at the Hughston Clinic, working alongside Dr. Charles Hartzog in Montgomery, AL. She also picks up extra shifts at Baptist OrthoNow, further expanding her expertise in orthopedics.
Daniel Peebles is a distinguished 20-year military and business leader with extensive experience in leadership, business development, team and community building, as well as Cyber and Information Technology. He graduated from Faulkner University and received his commission from the United States Air Force in 2004. Over his 20-year career as a Warfighter Communications Operations Officer, Daniel has been assigned to numerous units, including Special Operations and Combat Air Forces. He has deployed multiple times, serving as the Director of Communications for Joint Special Operations Air Components and Unmanned Aircraft in support of five named military operations across Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey.
Although he still serves as a Lieutenant Colonel on active reserve, Daniel also works for Deloitte Consulting where he currently leads a 50-person team driving IT strategies and Zero Trust cybersecurity implementation for Department of the Air Force (DAF). Throughout his five years in government consulting, Daniel has also served as a personal Advisor to the DAF’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), the Deputy CIO and the Chief Technology Officer.
Daniel’s proudest accomplishment is his marriage to Ashley and their two incredible children, Charley (F/19) and Colin (M/18). He and Ashley met at
Faulkner University and married in 2003
Trent Perry graduated from Faulkner University with a Bachelor degree in Informatics in 2011. He is currently an Associate Principal Network Engineer for Iron Bow Technologies. Mr. Perry has over 12 years’ experience in Information Technology with the majority of his work involving the design, test, upgrade, and implementation of Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SDWAN) for clients. SDWAN is a networking technology that uses software to manage and optimize a wide area network. SDWAN can improve performance, reliability, and scalability. This is accomplished by using software to automatically find the best path for data to travel. Mr. Perry currently holds 10 IT certifications including CompTIA Security +, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and Cisco Certified Network Professional. He lives in Montgomery with his wife Sydney and their cat Nene
Pierce Presley serves as the Secondary U.S. History Teacher at Prattville Christian Academy. A graduate of Faulkner University, he is furthering his education by pursuing an Alternative Master’s in Education at Faulkner University and a Master of Theological Studies at Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary, exemplifying his dedication to lifelong learning. Pierce is happily married to Lauren Presley, and the couple is excitedly expecting their first child this April.
Indyia Rachel attended Faulkner University and graduated class of 2022. During her time at Faulkner University, she was a member of Delta Xi Omega where she served as Jamboree Coordinator for a year, President of the Education Honor Society Kappa Delta Pi, and a Welcome Week Mentor.
Indyia is from Elba, Alabama where she attended high school at Zion Chapel. She teaches 3rd grade Reading, English Language Arts, and Social Studies at New Brockton Elementary School in Coffee County. Something unique about the school where Indyia teaches is that there is a huge influx of English Language Learners.
She resides in the county where she teaches, and where she grew up with her husband, Kevin Rachel. In her free time, Indyia enjoys chasing after all her nieces and nephews and supporting them in all of their sports and extracurricular activities
Malvin Sanders graduated from Faulkner with a degree in youth and family ministry in 2013. He has been engaged in full time youth ministry for almost 12 years now. Malvin is currently the youth and family minister of the Riverchase Church of Christ in Birmingham, AL. He has finished all his coursework for a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and only lacks completing required client hours to graduate. He is married to Jan, and they have three children: a 7-year-old boy named Owen, a four-year-old girl named Blakely, and a 2-year-old girl named Parker Lynn.
Quan graduated in May of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Quan, who is from Moultrie, Georgia, is a first-generation college student. While at Faulkner, he played on the football team for two seasons from 2019-2021.
Andre Mitchell, director of Faulkner’s BCJ program, and one of Quan’s instructors, had the following to say: “As a student-athlete, he understands the significance of teamwork in achieving a common goal. Quan always carried himself in a professional and respectful manner.”
“Quan will tell you he didn’t have a great start here academically, but he was a star athlete. But with some encouragement, Quan became a leader off the field,” said Cathy Davis, Chair of Legal Studies and another of his instructors. “He showed up for classes with a determination to graduate - which he did!”
After graduating, Quan’s first job was as a resource officer at his hometown high school. He is currently working as a Corrections Officer for Dougherty County in Georgia. Quan and his wife, Nacirema, have two dogs.
Dr. Chelsea Taylor, LPC, NCC is a native of Montgomery, Alabama. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology and a Master of Science in Counseling, both from Faulkner University. She continued her studies at Walden University where she obtained a Master of Philosophy in Developmental Psychology. In January 2024, Chelsea obtained her Doctor of Philosophy in Developmental Psychology with the following published dissertation: Parent’s Perceptions of Hardships Associated With Transitioning Their Child With Disabilities From Early Intervention to the Local Education Agency. Chelsea’s work has mainly included working with children and adolescence who have developmental disabilities and mental health diagnoses. Chelsea began her professional career working with the Alabama Early Intervention System as a special instructor/service coordinator. In this role, Chelsea discovered quickly, her passion for working with small children. After becoming a licensed professional counselor, Chelsea then went on to work in private practice under the supervision of a psychologist. In this role, Chelsea worked provided psychological assessments and treatment for children ages 2 to 18 years of age. During these years, Chelsea was not only able to refine her skill set of diagnosing autism spectrum disorder, but also provide strategies to help parents better work with their child at home. After three years of this work, Chelsea decided to join the Alabama Department of Mental Health where she is currently employed as an Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant. In this role, she provides mental health consultation and trauma-based interventions in Alabama’s First Class Pre-Kindergarten and Early Intervention programs. She also works with Children’s of Alabama as a member of their PATHS (Pediatric Access to Telemental health Services) team, providing consultation to pediatricians statewide who have concerns regarding their patients ages birth-8yrs. Lastly, she recently started a pilot program in a pediatric practice providing consultation and recommendations regarding behaviors, possible diagnoses, and treatments. All of these accomplishments would not have been possible if not for Christ!
Jeremy Vest serves as Vice President of Underwriting at Hannover Re, bringing over 23 years of experience in life insurance underwriting. Before joining Hannover Re in 2023, he held the position of Chief Life Underwriter at Alfa Insurance, where he oversaw life insurance risk management, process optimization, reinsurance administration, and talent development. In his current role, he works as a client relationship manager on Hannover Re’s underwriting team, collaborating with Chief Underwriters across the life insurance industry.
A 1997 graduate of Faulkner University with a degree in Business, Jeremy earned his MBA from Troy University in 2007. He is actively involved at Landmark Church of Christ in Montgomery, where his wife, Hannah, serves as the children’s minister. This year, Jeremy and Hannah celebrated 20 years of marriage and are proud parents to three children: Nolan (15), Bennett (13), and Annsley (11).
Kim Wheeler is currently a second-grade teacher at Holtville Elementary School in Deatsville, Alabama. She has been with Elmore County Schools for 28 years as a second and third grade teacher. Though out this time she has served on county curriculum committees for ELA (reading) and Math. She has received certifications in ARI and STEM (AMSTI) training. In 2009, she received the Elmore County Reading Teacher Award.
Mrs. Wheeler received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Faulkner University in1995 and her Master’s Degree from Troy of Montgomery in 2001.
She met her husband of 29 years, Todd Wheeler, while attending Faulkner University. Todd graduated from Faulkner in 1995 and Jones Law School in 1999. They have three children Kailtyn (University of Alabama, Nursing), Colton (Auburn University, Building Science) and Rhett (6th grade at Holtville Middle). She plans to continue teaching for several more years.
Christine Wiggins is a 2022 Faulkner University Master of Science in Counseling graduate. Ms. Wiggins is a Student Needs Advocate, Counselor, and Journalist. Christine is the Program Director of Wallace State Community College’s Wallace State Cares program. Through her work at the College, students needing holistic support - food security, emergency housing, transportation, medical and mental health care – have a champion to help them attain the resources needed. She also oversees Wallace State’s partnership with the Megan Montgomery Foundation to promote healthy relationships and brings campus awareness to relationship violence. Additionally, Ms. Wiggins coordinates an eight-year passion project, upLift, dedicated to the support of female students by female faculty and staff.
Christine has most recently added to her plate, although for her it feels more like a dessert plate, hosting the local morning show, Cullman Today! She enjoys using her degree in Broadcast Journalism from UAB and connecting in this way to her community.
Christine entered the master’s program at the age of 45, 20+ years after the completion of her last college degree, while holding a leadership position at Wallace State Community College, managing a home as a wife and mother, and serving as a member of her church council. Her desire to better understand and serve her students prompted the return to school. Her own lifelong partnership with anxiety and depression gave the program personal meaning and fuels her motivation to help others cope with challenges in their own lives.
She is the mother of two teenage daughters, three dogs and three cats. She is currently an associate licensed counselor chipping away at the hours needed to become an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). She enjoys her work, spending time at home and with friends, and exploring new places. She attributes her happiness to practicing gratitude.