Wayne Vardaman, Sr. is a native of Dallas County, Alabama. He received a master’s degree in personnel management from Troy State University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The University of Alabama where he was on a football grant and aid scholarship.

Employed in private industry for 23 years, Vardaman served as senior vice president of operations for eight years at American Candy Company. Heavily involved in acquisitions and mergers, he was responsible for all operations’ functions in three manufacturing facilities located in two states.

In 2002, Vardaman was named Executive Director of the Selma & Dallas County Economic Development Authority. Later that year he was appointed President and CEO of the Selma & Dallas County Centre for Commerce, an umbrella organization for the local Economic Development Authority, Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.

Vardaman previously served on the EDAA board of directors as chairman of the Rural Committee. He is also a graduate of the Delta Regional Commission Leadership Institute.

In addition, Vardaman served as a member of Governor Bob Riley’s Black Belt Action Commission where he served as president and then vice chairman of the Alabama Workforce Development Council for Region 5.

He currently serves on the board of directors of the Region 5 Workforce Council and is past vice chairman. He is also a member of the Coosa Alabama River Improvement Association and serves on the executive board of directors.

He is married to Paula Friday Vardaman, and they have two sons: Wayne Jr. and Paul. Wayne owns and operates Jerry’s Cleaners in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Paul is owner and operator of Vardaman Construction in Birmingham, Ala.

Vardaman is a member of Church Street United Methodist Church of Selma He currently serves on the Board of Trustees. He is also a member of the local Emmaus Community.

Kathy King is a native of Dallas County, AL. She is a graduate of Dallas County High School in Plantersville, AL. After graduating Ms. King pursued a career in healthcare, graduating from Capps College, Montgomery, AL as a Medical Assistant. She later received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Virginia College, then a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.

She has worked in the medical field in Selma and Centreville, AL. In 2013, Ms. King joined the Centre for Commerce, as an Administrative Assistant. In 2022, she was promoted to Project Manager for the Economic Development Authority.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, and doing DIY projects around the house.