Governor Kay Ivey on Monday appointed Ronald “Rex” Vaughn II to serve as chairman of the Madison County Commission, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of former chairman Mac McCutcheon. Vaughn’s appointment is effective immediately, Ivey’s office said.
“A native of Madison County and longtime owner and operator of Vaughn Farms, Rex Vaughn is well known throughout north Alabama for his tireless advocacy of small business and farming,” said Governor Ivey.
“He has forged strong ties within the county and entire Tennessee Valley region, and I have no doubt he will serve the people well as the new Chairman of the Madison County Commission.”
Vaughn is a Madison County farmer and longtime leader within the Alabama Farmers Federation. He also brings statewide government experience to the role: Vaughn currently serves as chairman of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, the panel tasked with overseeing Alabama’s protracted medical cannabis rollout.
“I wish to thank Governor Ivey for granting me this opportunity. I will most assuredly serve with the humility that I have always witnessed in my friend, Chairman Mac McCutcheon. The people of Madison County deserve no less,” Vaughn said in the announcement.
A graduate of Sparkman High School, Vaughn received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Agriculture Education degrees from Auburn University.
Ivey’s announcement also praised McCutcheon’s experience and leadership.
“I join the people of Madison County honoring former Chairman Mac McCutcheon as he enters retirement. His remarkable career encompasses nearly two decades as a Huntsville police officer, 16 years in the Alabama Legislature – including six years as Speaker of the House – and finally three years as Madison County Commission Chairman. Mac leaves a proud legacy of selfless service to North Alabama, and I wish him and his wife, Debbie, all the best,” added Governor Ivey.
McCutcheon notified the governor late last year that he planned to step down effective March 1, a decision that sparked weeks of local speculation about a successor and how the transition would unfold.
In February, the commission unanimously passed a resolution urging the Governor to give “necessary, careful and proper consideration” to appointing a currently-serving commissioner to fill the vacancy.
Courtesy of 256 Today.
