Pounders named Citizen of Year
In the wake of April’s deadly tornado, Barry Pounders and his staff and family were forced into a role that was new to them, but it was something they had been preparing years for.
The Phil Campbell Rescue Squad facility became the hub of the recovery efforts with Pounders’ leadership and guidance establishing a strong front for operations.
Monday night, during the annual Farm-City Banquet at the A.W. Todd Centre, Pounders was recognized for his hard work, not only for his role in the storm’s aftermath, but for his years of service leading to that crucial moment.
Pounders was named the 2011 Citizen of the Year.
“It’s not something you work for, but it’s nice that people see that you have tried to help others,” Pounders said.
He is retired from Northwest-Shoals Community College and has owned Ambulance Billing Service for more than 30 years. He has been licensed as an EMT-Paramedic for 30 years.
In the tornado’s aftermath, he organized and ran the disaster command center and is currently the chair of the Community Improvements Subcommittee of the Phil Campbell Recovery Committee.
He served four terms on the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce board of directors and serves on the board of directors of the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association.
“I am a people person and have enjoyed everything I have done to help our community,” Pounders said.
“I just like being involved with people.”
Other award winners from the Farm-City Banquet include:
• Rondell Trapp, Cooperator of the Year
• Greg Smith, Cattlemen of the Year
• Derek Jackson, Farmer of the Year
• Murray Farms, Farm Family of the Year
• Terry Hall, Franklin County Extension System Agricultural Career Achievement Award
• Franklin County Farmers Federation, Franklin County Extension System Organization of the Year
• Howard Grissom, Franklin County Extension System Agricultural Hall of Fame Award
• Leon Fay Thorn, Franklin County Extension System Lifetime Achievement Award
• Robert L. Seeley, Franklin County Extension System Community Volunteer Award
• Scotty Kennedy, Franklin County Extension System Community Development Award
• William E. Bishop, Sr., Franklin County Extension System Humanitarian Award
• Ben Guyton, Franklin County Extension System Humanitarian Award
Poster contest winners included:
K-3
• First place – Carson Cox, Belgreen; Second place – Laci Beth, Phil Campbell; Third place – Nora Castillo; Honorable mention – Canaan Stough, Belgreen, Bentley Welch, Kenia Navarrete and Brook Bailey
4th-6th
• First place – Alexis Patterson, EFJHS; Second place – Madison Fitts, PCES; Third place – Brianna Weeks, EFJHS; Honorable Mention – Emma Whitfield, RMS; Kayla Thompson, Red Bay; Katie Dempsey, Red Bay; Kaitlin Weeks, EFJHS; Alexis Vess, Tharptown
Essay Contest winners were Sara Warner, of RMS, and Kaitlyn Stanfield of Red Bay
