Vanessa Benitez is a HR Generalist at Regal Rexnord in Auburn, AL. She recently moved to Opelika in 2022 from Atlanta, GA and was raised in Blackshear, GA. She received her degree in Public Relations in 2021 from Kennesaw State University and has recently obtained her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certificate. Vanessa actively supports her sorority, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc, and has a passion for civic engagement and education within her community. Vanessa is also involved with the Opelika 20 Under 40 Program for the 2024-2025 year.

Steve Pelham has nearly 30 years of public service across local, state, and federal levels. 

Pelham graduated from Auburn in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in public administration. After a few years in sales and as an area director for the Alabama Farmers Federation, he moved into government. From 1993 to 2001, Pelham served as the state director for former U.S. Rep. Terry Everett.

Originally from Gulf Shores , Nick moved to Lee County when he decided to study at Auburn University. Graduating with a bachelors in Architecture and a Masters in Community Planning, he joined the Architecture firm of Seay, Seay and Litchfield in 2013. After a short time in Montgomery, Nick moved his family back to Lee County and opened the local branch of SS&L. Along with volunteering with United way, Nick currently serves on the Board for the Chamber of Commerce and with the City of Auburn on the Building Board of Adjustment.

Stewart Mills, who joined GK9PG in September 2020, now holds the role of Director of Compliance, having previously started as a divisional program manager. His responsibilities encompass overseeing internal corporate and K9 compliance, internal audits, and contributing to marketing endeavors. Before his time at GK9PG, Stewart held positions including Marketing, Sales Support, and Business Development Manager at an international microscopy distributor and research lab.

Allison Blankenship works for the City of Auburn as the Public Affairs Neighborhood Specialist. She has lived in Lee County since 2006, and graduated from Auburn University in 2010 with a degree in journalism. Allison currently lives in Opelika with her husband, Donny, and their three-year-old son.

Andrea Mitchell is the Economic Development Manager – Entrepreneurial and Technology Programs for the City of Auburn Economic Development Department and has worked in the department for 15 years.  Andrea is responsible for managing the entrepreneurial activities through developing strategies, programs and processes to improve the entrepreneurial ecosystem and works with the start-up community to support their growth in Auburn.

Shearer earned his bachelor's degree in broadcast news and a minor in history from the University of Colorado in 1988. In his 33rd season covering Auburn, Shearer writes for Auburn Athletics' website and assists with internal and external communications. He also fills in as a play-by-play announcer for Auburn events on the SEC Network. Shearer joined Auburn Athletics in 2016 after serving as Sports Director at WSFA-TV in Montgomery, Alabama. He spent nearly 25 years at the NBC affiliate, anchoring the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

I was born in Kenya and moved to the United States in 1998 to attend Butler Community College in Kansas. Transferred to Auburn in 2000 Graduated in 2002. My wife and I both ran Track and field and cross country. My wife Catherine and I have two boys 22 & 17. We members of St. Michael catholic church. I work at Lee County Family Court. I have worked with Lee County JUVENILES for almost 20 years. 10 years at East Alabama Mental Health, last nine years as a probation officer at Lee County Family Court.