The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences Foundation has added five prominent Alabama business and healthcare leaders to its Board of Directors, expanding the statewide board to 16 members as the school prepares to welcome its inaugural class on Aug. 13.
The appointments took place during the Foundation board meeting in Demopolis on June 30.
Clarence M. Ball, Jr., Nathaniel Drummond, Barbara Estep, Larry Howell, and Jeremy Wootten will serve through June 30, 2029. Their appointments make a total of eight new members within the past year, with Bart McCorquodale, Dr. Mark McIlwain, and Matthew “Cade” Warner being named earlier.
At last week’s board meeting, the Foundation also elected officers for the 2026-27 term. Stephens will continue as chair, Alfred “Freddy” Padilla will serve as vice chair, and Warner will act as secretary-treasurer.
The Foundation Board of Directors is responsible for building and sustaining partnerships across government, education, healthcare, business and philanthropy to advance the mission of ASHS to provide a steady flow of uniquely prepared high school students into the state’s healthcare workforce pipeline — with particular attention to rural equity.
“Our Foundation board reflects the statewide commitment that has made this school possible,” said Foundation Board Chair Kirk Stephens, who also serves on the statewide school board governing the operation of ASHS. “These five leaders bring extraordinary experience, vision and relationships that will strengthen our ability to support the school’s long-term success and create opportunities for generations of Alabama students.”
Foundation President and CEO J. Scott Huffman echoed those sentiments. “The Foundation’s role is to bring together people who care deeply about Alabama’s future and give them meaningful ways to make a difference to and with ASHS,” Huffman said. “These five leaders have already done that throughout their careers, and their experience and perspective will make our board even stronger.”
Newly seated directors
Clarence M. Ball, Jr. (Mobile) — Ball is president and CEO of Ball HealthCare Services, which operates nursing facilities, senior housing, specialty pharmacy and medical supply operations across Alabama and Florida. He has served on numerous state boards through appointments by four Alabama governors and currently serves on the executive committee of the Alabama Nursing Home Association. Ball is a member of the 2026 Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame.
Nathaniel Drummond (Birmingham) — Drummond is chief commercial officer of Drummond Company and president of Drummond Coal Sales Inc. He previously held leadership positions in coal trading and operations after beginning his career with Vitol in London. An engineering graduate of Southern Methodist University, he serves on several civic and economic development organizations, including the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, United Way of Central Alabama and the Birmingham Business Alliance.
Barbara Estep (Birmingham) — Estep is president and CEO of Noland Health Services, which operates specialty hospitals and senior living communities across Alabama. She holds degrees in medical science administration, health services administration and law, and has spent nearly three decades in healthcare leadership. Estep has served in leadership roles with numerous healthcare and nonprofit organizations and is a member of the 2026 Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame.
Larry Howell (Tuscaloosa) — Howell is president of Hinton Lumber Products, one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of block-style wooden pallets. A graduate of the University of Alabama, he serves on the boards of Alabama Power, the Business Council of Alabama, the Alabama Wildlife Federation and other business and conservation organizations. He previously chaired several corporate and nonprofit boards.
Jeremy Wootten (Cullman) — Wootten is president and chief financial officer of HomTex Inc., an Alabama manufacturer of home textiles and personal protective equipment. A graduate of Harvard University, he also leads several affiliated family-owned companies and serves on the boards of the Business Council of Alabama, Cullman Regional Medical Center Foundation, St. Bernard Preparatory School and other business and community organizations. He previously served as president of the Sewn Products Association of America.
Directors chosen earlier
Bart McCorquodale (Jackson) — McCorquodale is founder and chief executive officer of McCorquodale Transfer LLC, one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing transportation and logistics companies, with operations across the region and more than 400 employees in Alabama. A native of Jackson with deep roots in Alabama’s Black Belt, he is a longtime supporter of economic development and improved healthcare access in rural communities. McCorquodale serves on the ASHS Foundation Board of Directors and brings an employer’s perspective on strengthening Alabama’s future healthcare workforce.
Dr. Mark McIlwain (Sheffield) — McIlwain is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and physician with Oral and Facial Surgery of the Shoals. He earned both his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry and his M.D. from Vanderbilt University before returning to northwest Alabama to practice. A nationally recognized expert in facial trauma, emergency medicine and anesthesia safety, he has served as president of the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners, chief of staff at Helen Keller Hospital and Colbert County 911 medical director. McIlwain is a 2026 inductee into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame.
Matthew “Cade” Warner (Tuscaloosa) — Warner is president and chief executive officer of The Westervelt Company, the 141-year-old family-owned natural resources company specializing in sustainable forestry, wood products, real estate, recreation and conservation. He previously served in several executive leadership roles with the company and holds degrees from the University of Alabama and the University of Georgia. Warner serves in leadership roles with numerous business, forestry and civic organizations.
ASHS is the fourth tuition-free public residential specialty high school in Alabama, and the Foundation has been instrumental in its formation and support, from large philanthropic gifts to securing government funding, to donations helping with student meals.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
