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BUSINESS SESSION SPEAKERS KEYNOTE SPEAKERS - NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Senator Tommy Tuberville was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020 and is currently serving his first term representing Alabama. However, his constituents still know him as Coach Tuberville, following his 40-year career coaching college football. Tuberville is a former college athlete, college football coach, and sports broadcaster. He spent 40-years in higher education as a college football coach, including stints as an Assistant Coach and Defensive-Coordinator at the University of Miami and Texas A&M, before being named the Head Coach at the University of Mississippi. In 1998, Tuberville was named Head Coach at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, where he coached for 11 years.

SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE United States Senate

Tuberville was inspired to serve in Congress by his father, a World War II veteran and recipient of five Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart, who instilled in him the values of patriotism, work ethic, and grit. Tuberville has been called the “common-sense conservative,” focusing on battling against government overreach, fighting for the unborn, and passionately supporting the nation’s law enforcement and military. He has earned the reputation of a fighter for Alabamian’s values and will be an accessible, responsive, and vocal leader in the U.S. Senate. Tuberville lives in Auburn, Alabama, with his wife Suzanne, and they have two adult sons, Tucker and Troy.

Rick Pate was elected Commissioner of Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries in 2018 out of four in the Republican primary. He was re-elected in 2022 without Republican or Democratic Party opposition. Rick Pate grew up working his family’s cattle and poultry farm in Lowndes County. Because of his roots in agriculture, he studied ornamental horticulture and received his bachelor’s degree in 1978 from Auburn University’s College of Agriculture. Pate started Pate Landscape Co., Inc. in 1982. Under Pate’s leadership, the company has been profitable and award winning.

COMMISSONER RICK PATE

Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries

In 1996, he joined Lowndesboro’s Town Council and served as Mayor in 2004. While serving as mayor, a new well and water tank were added, the water system was expanded, and sidewalks were installed through town. He resigned in 2018 after being elected Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. Growing up on a farm, running a business and cattle operation, and serving as the mayor of a small rural town has given Pate a genuine concern for the future of agriculture and the people of Alabama. During Commissioner Pate’s term as Agriculture Commissioner, he has brought Alabama numerous programs and funding, such as the Cares Act Money, Local Food Purchasing Agreement, A Healthy You Healthy Farm, Sweet Grown Alabama, Alabama Farm to School Program and more. Pate has been married to the former Julie Dismukes since 1989, and they have two grown sons, Richard and James.

2025 Annual Show Yearbook | Page 19