Sally joined AASB’s staff in 1986 and previously served as assistant executive director, director of public relations, director of communications and director of research and special projects. She was promoted to executive director in June 2007.  

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In her leadership capacity, she manages the association’s affairs, directs legislative efforts, advises the AASB membership and oversees efforts to build public support for schools and to expand learning opportunities and services for school board members. She also represents school boards’ positions before the Alabama Legislature, the state Board of Education and Congress. She also is the treasurer of AASB’s risk management cooperative.

Smith served as a commissioner to the Education Commission of the States representing Alabama and on the Alabama Public Charter Schools Commission. She also is a graduate of Leadership Alabama.

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The former newspaper reporter has received awards for her writing and publications from the National School Public Relations Association, the Public Relations Council of Alabama and the Alabama Press Association.

A native of St. Louis, Sally earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and her law degree from the Birmingham School of Law. She was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2003.

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Sally and her husband, Tom, have a blended family of six children and seven grandchildren.