- Hometown: Opelika, Ala.
- Role: Director of constituent services for the Baldwin County, Ala., legislative delegation
- Years of legislative service: Five
“Here in beautiful Baldwin County, Ala., I like to say, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’”
McCollum
Why did you choose to work at the legislature?
In previous careers in education and in journalism, I learned that having a job that allowed me to be of help to people—that included a public service factor—was important to me. When this position came open and I saw it afforded me an opportunity to directly work with and help our constituents here in Baldwin County, how could I not apply for it? Best decision I ever made.
What skill or talent are you most proud of?
My co-workers and legislators would probably say my best and worst trait is my affinity for “spelunking,” or deep diving into obscure parts of local law and other forgotten parts of the Code of Alabama to find the little gobbet or piece we need to help someone. Occasionally, that leads to things like passing the “barber law” to abolish a local barber commission that had gone rogue—but even that ended up passing an accidental tax cut for 60% of our county’s barbers so, all’s well that ends well?
What’s the best advice you were ever given?
Our former Baldwin County administrator, Ron Cink, is my rabbi in life and in times of turmoil or trouble, I often hear him whisper in my ear, “Don’t poke your nose where it doesn’t belong.” Chaos and crazy will always find you—no need to go looking for trouble.
Who or what inspires you?
What inspires me is the feeling of satisfaction gained from the phone call or email we get from a constituent thanking us for helping fix their problem. It’s the occasional baked good left on the office desk from one of our folks here just to say thank you. The thanks aren’t ever necessary—it’s our job to help—but it certainly does help spur the spirits when it happens.
What’s one thing you love about your state or territory?
I have the great pleasure to live near the lovely white-sugar-sand beaches of Alabama, the place where tens of thousands of tourists come each and every year to enjoy and revel. So, what do I love? Escaping to the mountain regions of our state near Fort Payne between Christmas and New Year’s every year. Restorative for the soul.
What are you currently reading/listening to/watching?
Reading: I have been making my way through a collection of Joan Didion’s essays for about a year now to no avail, but still we persist.
Listening to: Either my favorite pop culture history podcast, “This Was a Thing,” or usually Black gospel, namely Marion Williams, Clara Ward or James Cleveland.
Watching: I feel like since the pandemic I’ve done more rewatching than watching, honestly. So, “Parks and Recreation,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and, because my father made me grow to love these by watching them ad nauseam in my childhood, the Dean Martin/Friars Club roasts from back in the day. Gotta love Don Rickles.
This email interview has been edited for length and clarity. Use the email icon above to suggest a legislative staffer for the “Staff Snapshots” series.