November 17, 2004

Smith to deliver commencement address at Troy University

Gary Smith, president and chief executive officer of Alabama Electric Cooperative Inc. in Andalusia , will deliver the address at Troy University ’s fall commencement ceremony on Friday, Dec. 10.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. in Sartain Hall. Approximately 375 students from 13 U.S. states and 13 foreign nations are scheduled to participate in the ceremony.

Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr, chancellor, will deliver welcoming remarks and introduce the speaker, and Dr. Ed Roach, provost, will preside over the awarding of the diplomas.

Smith was named CEO of Alabama Electric Cooperative in January of 2000. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Legal and Corporate Affairs, Director of Legal Affairs and Staff Attorney at AEC.

He is a 1979 graduate of Samford University ’s Cumberland School of Law and a 1976 graduate of the University of North Alabama , with degrees in accounting and economics.

Smith is a native of Corinth , Miss. , and has served as Secretary of the Alabama Bar’s Corporate Counsel Section.  He is a member of the G&T Lawyers’ Association, G&T Managers’ Association, Association of Corporate Counsel of America, Alabama State Bar Association, Alabama Rural Electric Association Board, Florida Electric Cooperatives Association Board, Board of Directors of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, Board of Directors of the Covington County Economic Development Commission and Electric Power Research Institute Board.

In 2003, Smith was named Troy University ’s honorary alumnus of the year for his support of Trojan athletics. He is currently serving on the University’s NCAA Certification Self-Study Steering Committee.