City News

Wednesday, March 8 is International Women's Day. Did you know that over half of the City's senior leadership roles are held by women? Learn more about each of these women and the role they play for the City. 

Audrey Buck
Director, The Saban Center
Audrey Buck has worked for the City of Tuscaloosa for nine years. Prior to her Saban Center assignment, she served as the Deputy Director of Urban Development. Buck holds a Bachelor of Architecture Professional Degree and a Bachelor of Arts in English. She is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and specializes in economic development, architecture and design, and project management.

Sommer Coleman
Executive Director, Construction Facilities & Grounds
Sommer Coleman has worked in construction administration for 18 years. Before she joined the City of Tuscaloosa, she served as a senior project manager in the Construction Administration Department for the University of Alabama. Coleman holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering/Construction Project Management from the University of Alabama, where she also received her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

Ashley Crites
Executive Director, Urban Development
Ashley Crites has worked for the City of Tuscaloosa since 2013, most recently as Director of Planning. Crites specializes in public policy analysis, land use implementation and urban design, and strategic planning. Prior to joining the City of Tuscaloosa, she worked with the City of Springfield, MO and Ozark Foothills Regional Planning. She holds a bachelor's degree in public administration and a master’s degree in urban planning, and is a member of the American Planning Association (APA) and the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Kay Day
Director, Arts & Entertainment
Kay Day has worked with the City of Tuscaloosa since 2018, serving as the Operations Manager for the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater before her appointment as Arts & Entertainment Director in 2022. Prior to working with the City, Day served in roles including Director of Marketing, Marketing Operations Manager and Director of Special Events. She also served as an Event Manager with Nike, where she worked in the creation and implementation of major sports events such as the Super Bowl, Men’s Final Four and the US Open. Day served as an Alabama Athletics Commissioner from 2019 to 2022, and is a 2022 graduate of IAVM's Venue Management School.

Brandy Johnson
City Clerk
Brandy Johnson has worked for the City of Tuscaloosa since 2016 in the Office of the City Attorney, as the Assistant City Clerk, and as the Acting City Clerk. She was appointed to the City Clerk position in 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human environmental sciences from the University of Alabama, and is a member of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, and the Alabama Association of Municipal Clerks.

LaShonda Kemp Herbert
Chief Human Resources Officer
LaShonda Kemp Herbert has been with the City of Tuscaloosa for six years, and has over 20 years of experience in human resources and personnel management. Herbert received her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama. She holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from Human Resources Certification Institute and a Senior Certified Professional (SCP) from International Public Management in Human Resources. Before starting with the City of Tuscaloosa in 2017, Herbert worked for DCH Health System and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.

Kimberly Michael
Executive Director, Water & Sewer
Kimberly Michael has worked with the City since 2007, most recently serving as the Associate Director of Logistics and Asset Management. Prior to serving in this role, Michael served as Water and Sewer Process Assets Manager and as a Water Resources Engineer for the City of Tuscaloosa. Michael is licensed as a State of Alabama Professional Engineer and Grade IV Water Operator. She holds a Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama.

Wendy Shelby
City Engineer
Wendy Shelby has worked with the city since 2014. Before she joined the City of Tuscaloosa, she served as a design engineer for a local engineering firm and as a project manager for Phifer Wire Projects. Shelby holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Alabama, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Shelby is licensed as a State of Alabama Professional Engineer.

Carly Standridge
Chief Financial Officer
Carly Standridge has worked for the City of Tuscaloosa since 2011. She has served as the Accounting Manager in Disaster Recovery, the Financial Manager in the Office of Federal Programs, Internal Auditor, and City Clerk. Standridge has 19 years of accounting experience. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a Master of Accountancy from the University of Alabama.

Marion Williams
Court Administrator
Marion Williams has worked with the City of Tuscaloosa for 18 years, and has been working in the judicial system for 24 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama. Williams is a certified Court Clerk/Magistrate, and a Certified National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Operator.