Commission

Brandon Shoupe

Brandon Shoupe serves as the Chairman of the Houston County Commission after previously serving 8 years as the District 4 Commissioner. Since joining the commission in 2014, he has worked to improve communication with constituents throughout the district by holding regular town halls. He has also kept a close eye on county expenses and tried to stretch tax dollars as far as possible.

His primary focus is on growing the economy in southeast Alabama and making smart investments into quality of life initiatives.

In 2018, he was appointed by Governor Ivey to be the 2nd Congressional District’s representative on the board of the Alabama School of Cybertechnology & Engineering. He currently serves as the organization’s Treasurer and is on the executive committee.

Brandon is the owner of a small company that invests in and operates internet-based businesses.

Brandon and his family attend Covenant United Methodist Church in Dothan.

Curtis Harvey

On January 11, 2005, James Curtis Harvey Jr. was elected to the Houston County Commission as representative of District 1 in a special election held. He is the second to ever serve in this position and the youngest at the age of 35. Harvey would finish out this term for 2006 and go on to be elected again for an additional four-year term.

Since the time Harvey was elected and has been serving, he has been most aggressive in trying to implement a plan of action for his constituents. Harvey is a Graduate Certified County Commissioner completing 90 mandated hours through the Alabama Local Government Institute Training sponsored by Auburn University. Harvey has been instrumental in trying to provide a countywide water system and the future I-10 connector that will create more jobs and bring industry to our county.

Harvey is currently the ACCA Minority Director serving all 67 counties within the State of Alabama. Harvey has served on the Executive Committee for the Alabama Democratic Conference pushing and excelling them to even greater heights. Harvey says, we can not afford to be idle, it takes teamwork to make a dream work! Harvey actively attends and stays abreast of most legislation and other issues that might affect both our citizens in Houston County and across the State of Alabama.

James Curtis Harvey Jr. is married to the former Kimberly Dawn Grimsley of Dothan. He has three boys: James C. Harvey III, 31, Ja' kel A. Harvey, 27, Jireh A. Harvey, 20. Commissioner Harvey is also Senior Pastor of Rhema Rock Church, Al.

Harvey's parents are Pastor James C. Harvey Sr. and Barbara Harvey. He has three siblings, Pierre Harvey, Rodney D. Harvey, and Dionne M. Harvey.

Civic and Government Activities:

• Association of County Commissions of Alabama
• Association of the United States Army
• Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce
• Dothan Downtown Group
• Houston County HealthCare
• Houston County Democratic Part
• Alabama Democratic Conference
• National Association of Counties (NACO)
• Houston County Community Corrections
• Community Activities:
• Baptist College of Florida Alumni Association
• E.M.E.R.G.E (Enlightened Men Embracing Renewed Growth and Education)
• Leadership Dothan, Graduate
• Greater Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, Member
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Kappa Beta Beta Chapter

Tracy Adams

Tracy Adams is a lifelong resident of Houston County. He was born to the late Billy Joe Adams of Cottonwood, AL, and the late Ann Adams of Dothan, Al, and now residing in Ashford. He graduated from Dothan High School in 1987 and joined the Alabama National Guard, during his junior year of high school beginning a long career of service to our nation and our community. He has been married to Tammy since 1989, they have two beautiful daughters, Chelsea (Colby Murphree) and Courtney. The apple of his eye is granddaughter Emma Claire.

Tracy retired from the full-time Alabama Army National Guard in 2012. He entered service as a Private (E1) and 26 years later retired as Sergeant Major (E9). As a full-time member of the ALARNG, SGM Adams received awards, decorations, and honors demonstrating his dedication to excellence, leadership, and work ethic on numerous occasions. Always striving to improve himself and demonstrating an ability to focus on multiple priorities simultaneously, Tracy completed multiple professional military education courses culminating with graduating from the US Army Sergeant Major’s Academy. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2007, from Columbia Southern University. Since retiring, Tracy has been the Army Instructor at Dothan High for its JROTC Program.

Tracy’s highly successful military career was built on Leadership, Communication, Accountability, Teamwork, and Work Ethic. He brings these attributes to the people of District 2 and all of Houston County. He looks forward to working with and representing the great citizens of District 2 and Houston County.

Ricky Herring

Ricky Herring was born and raised in Cottonwood, AL. He is the proud son of Ronnie and Belinda Herring. He has two older brothers (Ron and Randy) and one younger sister (Michelle).

Ricky is a 1993 graduate of Cottonwood High School. Ricky has always had a passion for law enforcement. He enrolled and graduated from the Southwest Alabama Police Academy in 1994. Following that, he joined the Cottonwood Police Department and served there from 1994 to 1996.

In 1997, Ricky joined his father-in-law at Brackin Wholesale as an inside and outside sales rep. He worked there for three years then went to work for himself as a small business owner. Public service was in his blood and he found his way back into law enforcement when he joined the Houston County Sheriff's Office in 2010.

Herring began as a patrol officer before moving into investigations in October of 2013. Since that time, Ricky has invested countless hours, in collaboration with other law enforcement professionals and agencies, to ensure the safety of the citizens of Houston County. He has participated in hundreds of felony arrests from burglaries to capital murder. He is currently a Sergeant of Criminal Investigations, serves on the Hostage Negotiation Team, and Homeland Security Team, and performs many other duties inside the department. Ricky was instrumental, along with other professionals, in helping implement new state legislation for PEER Support for first responders. Ricky was also a very active member of the Sheriff's Office’s SWAT team where he took part in numerous missions. During his first term as a commissioner, Ricky worked hand-in-hand with members of the Sheriff’s Office and the county school system to ensure that there was an SRO in each of the county’s schools. This makes sure that all parties are doing everything that they can to protect our children each day as they are in school.

Outside of law enforcement, Ricky is a family man and one who is very active in his community. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, the former Andrea Brackin of Dothan, for over 25 years and they have three children (Brady (Marilaine), Payton, and Kinley).

All three children attend or graduated from Houston County Schools.

Ricky is a proud and dedicated member of Memphis Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon, former 9th & 10th grade Sunday school teacher, chairman of the Security Team, member of the Personnel Committee, Transportation Committee, Constitution and By-laws Committee, and Cemetery Committee.

Ricky also helped start the Upward sports ministry where he served as commissioner for 11 years. Ricky is also a member of the Houston County Republican Executive Committee and the Houston County Republican Women. Ricky is currently serving as a volunteer on many boards including the House of Ruth, Wiregrass Angel House, National Peanut Festival Board, and the Wiregrass Resource Conservation and Development Council.

Public service is not something that is new to Ricky; it's what he has done for the last 30 years. When he first announced his candidacy, he said: “Some are called to minister, some are called to educate, while some are called to provide healthcare. I believe my call is to serve others and that is why I have chosen to enter the race for Houston County Commissioner District 3.”

Ricky is a public servant and, in that role, he strives to be Accountable and Approachable in all aspects of his life. Ricky is committed to doing just that as he serves as the current commissioner for Houston County, District 3.

James Ivey

James Ivey has resided in Houston County from childhood to adulthood. Most of his life has been in Wicksburg Alabama. where he graduated from Wicksburg High School. He married Tiffany in 1994. James and Tiffany still reside in Wicksburg and they have several nieces and nephews that they are very proud of.

James started his career serving the citizens in the community at a local grocery store in Dothan, Alabama. and continued to serve the citizens by working at other area businesses through the years. James joined the Houston County Sheriff’s Office in 2001 where he has remained and worked his way up to his current position as Captain. He received a Life Saving Award in 2022. He has also received several letters of appreciation for his commitment to Houston County.

James strives to improve himself while continuing to learn new skills and knowledge to further help him serve the citizens in Houston County. His career with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office has given him the ability to strive for the best for the citizens of Houston County. He is pleased to work with the citizens of District 4 and all of Houston County.