Staff

Rick joined the Alabama Retail Association in 1989 with a background that included sales and banking. He served 16 years as Alabama Retail’s vice president. In 2005, the board of directors chose Rick to serve as president of the association.

Under his leadership, membership in Alabama Retail has grown exponentially from some 200 members to a membership today of 4,500. Rick is also fund administrator of Alabama Retail Comp, a self-insured trust that provides workers’ compensation coverage to Alabama’s retailers. In this capacity, Rick is a member of the Alabama Self-Insurers Association board of directors and is chairman of COMP PAC, the official political action committee of the Alabama Self-Insurers Association.

A graduate of the University of Alabama, Rick is a certified association executive as designated by the American Society of Association Executives. In addition, he is a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management at the University of Delaware and of Leadership Montgomery.

Rick serves as president of the Business Associations’ Tax Coalition, a group of business and trade associations representing every major business group in Alabama. He also serves as vice chairman of the Alabama Civil Justice Reform Committee, a coalition of businesses and pro-business organizations committed to restoring legal fairness in Alabama. He is a past president of the Alabama Council of Association Executives.

Alison became Alabama Retail Association’s senior vice president in 2024, after serving as vice president since 2005. She joined Alabama Retail in 2001 as communications director and became director of governmental and public affairs in 2003. Previously, Alison had served the Alabama Bankers Association as director of public relations.

In addition to management responsibilities, Alison leads Alabama Retail Association’s governmental relations activities in the Alabama Legislature and the U.S. Congress.

Alison graduated cum laude from Troy University and completed her master’s, summa cum laude, also from Troy University. The university recognized her in 2024 as an Alumni of the Year.

Alison is a certified association executive as designated by the American Society of Association Executives. She is a past president of the Alabama Council of Association Executives (ACAE), which has more than 400 association and meeting professional members representing 140 associations operating in Alabama.

She previously served on the board of directors for Kid One Transport System Inc., which transports children and expectant mothers to necessary health care services. She was a member of the 33rd Legacy Class of Leadership Montgomery (2016-2017).

In 2011 and 2014, Alison received the Alabama Civil Justice Reform Committee’s Chairman’s Award for her efforts to win approval for tort reform measures advocated by ACJRC, including product liability protection for retailers.

Alison participated in 2006 in a two-week political study program in Northern Ireland as a delegate for the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL).

Brett became vice president of the Alabama Retail Association in 2024 and has served as fund manager for Alabama Retail Comp since March of 2022. He previously served as member relations manager for the Alabama Retail Association and business solutions director for ARC. He first joined the staff in August of 2008.

As fund manager, Brett is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the self-insurance fund, including a staff that is charged with sales, claims and premium administration, underwriting and accounting.

A graduate of Auburn University, he has a degree in public administration and communication.

Mandi is responsible for coordinating, planning and reporting the financial activities of the Alabama Retail Association and Alabama Retail Comp. She also serves as human resources director for both organizations. She joined the staff in August 2011.

Mandi came to Alabama Retail with more than 12 years of accounting experience. She previously worked for six years for Jackson Thornton, a Montgomery accounting and business consulting firm. She served as manager for the firm immediately before becoming Alabama Retail/ARC chief financial officer. Mandi also previously worked as an accountant for The Retirement Systems of Alabama.

She holds both a master’s of business administration (2005) and a bachelor’s degree in accounting (2002) from Auburn University Montgomery. She attained certified public accountant status in 2006 and  chartered global management accountant in 2012.

Mandi is a member of the Montgomery chapter of the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants, for which she served as president in 2009; is a former ambassador for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce; and is a member of the Young Montgomery Business Club. She also is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta social sorority.

She and her husband, Chris, reside in Pike Road.

Brittany Peters joined the Alabama Retail Association in February 2025 as Director of Public Relations. In this role, she oversees communication strategies that highlight the value of Alabama’s retailers and the work of the Association.

Before joining Alabama Retail, Brittany served in various communication and public relations roles with the State of Alabama. She holds a degree in Agricultural Communications from Auburn University.

Jennifer joined the Alabama Retail Association in October 2015, providing administrative and office support as well as assisting in meeting and event planning. Previously, she worked as corporate secretary for 10 years at Blount Parrish, a Montgomery investment banking firm.

Jennifer has a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Alabama. She and her husband, Todd, attend First Baptist Church and have two sons, Banks and Blevins.