VCS Executive Board

Dr. Mable B. Anderson - President and Executive Director (Click Here for written by/about articles)

Dr.Anderson, who serves and President of VCS, is the founding member of VCS. She was assisted in organizing VCS to consolidate the various organizations working to support Village Creek in 1983. Being a born and returning resident of the Village Creek Watershed, Dr. Anderson has worked untiringly to improve the environment of Village Creek. Dr. Anderson's many past and present titles include: V. President of Ensley Neighborhood, Organizer of the Citizen Coalition of Village Creek, Chairperson of the following: Ensley Moro Park/South Pratt Flood Coalition, Village Creek Flood Plain Relocation Committee and Village Creek EPA.

She holds a Doctor Degree in Developmental Psychology, a Masters Degree in Supervision, B.S. Degree in Sociology, is a Certified Woman Executive and is a Verified Developmental Education Specialist to name a few. She has been the keynote speaker and presented workshops in over half of the United States, Puerto Rico and Australia. Some of her honors include Academic Scholarships for all degrees, membership in four National Honor Societies, NAACP Woman of the Year 1999 and Unsung Heros of 2000.

Richard S. Woodruff, P.E.P.L.S.  (Click Here for written by/about articles)

Mr. Richard S. Woodruff is the Technical Director of VCS. Mr. Woodruff is a civil engineer and has worked for Alabama Power Company, Bechtel-McComb Aircraft Corporation Southern Company Services, Inc., and currently serves as a Consulting Hydroelectric Engineer at Hendon Engineering Associates. Among the many major projects that Mr. Woodruff has assisted in plans, designs and operations are additions to Martin Dam Hydroelectric Plant, Logan Martin 128NW, Weiss 88MW, Bouldin 225MW, Henry 73MW, Lay 177MW, Smith 158, Holt 40MN, Bankhead 40MW all for Alabama Power and many others. He has served as an expert witness in eight lawsuits relating to water problems.

The Alabama Section of American Society of Civil Engineers presented him with the Distinguished Service  Award and he has also received the ASCE Rickey Medal. Through the years some of his affiliations include U.S. Committee on Large Dams, Chairman of ASCE Committee on Hydroelectric Power Project Planning and Design, Director of Alabama Section ASCE, Professional Engineers of Alabama and many others. He has to his credit several publication.

 John Carroll Meehan 

Mr. Meehan assisted Dr. Mable Anderson in consolidating various organizations to form VCS and currently serves as a Field Director. Mr. Meehan has served as both President and Vice President of the Ensley Neighbor Association. He has been Secretary of Neighborhood Services Inc., Chief Inspector of Ensley Recreation Center Votin, Campaign Manager for Jefferson County Public Service Commission candidate and 2^nd Vice President of Ensley Moro Park Flood Coalition. He sponsored the first Community Wide Environmental Justice Conference and is the Founder of First Presidential Western Area Democratic Club.

Mr. Meehan is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church where he serves as the Chair of several committees. He ahs also served with The Office of Black Ministry Board of Directors, Greater Birmingham Ministries and Alabama Arise. He holds awards and honors as Outstanding Young Men of America, Yellow Dog Democrat, Ensley Moro Awards. He attended Ensley High School, Jefferson State Junior College and University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He is employed with Pinkerton and Securities.

Harry A. Giddens

Mr. Giddens is a retired U.S. Postal worker of 31 years. He served as a Union Representative for 27 years. During that time, he served as Shop Steward for 25 years, President for 8 years and Secretary for 4 years. Mr. Giddens has been active as a community leader and has served as Brownsville Hights Community President for 16 years and 8 years as Airport Hills Community President. He is a member of The Citizens Advisory Board, Safety Committee, Education and Health committee, Regional Planning Commission. He is the recipient of numerous awards for outstanding community service.

He is a graduate of A.H. Parker High School, Booker T. Washington Business College and Lawson State Junior College. He has a 27 year marriage to Sharon Ford Giddens and has 4 daughters and 6 grandchildren.

Monica Austin - Hatcher

Mrs. Hatcher is in private law practice in Birmingham, she has worked as a Resident Selection Specialist for The Housing Authority, Birmingham District. She has also been a Re-certification Specialist and Clerk with The Housing Authority. During her employment she has achieved maximum growth in the issuing of housing vouchers for all Section Eight programs. She has also maintained accountablility of available funding for the Section Eight Program of the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District. She has accelerated the leasing process by implementing strategies and motivational processes for the Resident Selection Staff. Mrs. Hatcher identified and revised serious flaws in the initial housing process. She worked as a liaison to officials and has successfully worked with property owners to identify problems with leasing agreements and restructed contracts for maximum lease up.

She has a J.D. Degree from Birmingham School of Law and a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College.

John Gordon, P.E.

Mr. Gordon has ten years of design experience on projects in Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Georgia. Most of the projects have involved land development, specifically site design, subdivision design, and roadway design. The variety of challenges found in land development has allowed Mr. Gordon to develop a divers range of experience.

At Wiser Company, Mr. Gordon provided design for projects including greenway trails, roadway improvements, parks, and utility relocations. He also developed corridor studies for roadway and trail projects and prepared interchange justification studies for state review.

Ms. Yolanda B. Caver - Senior Grants Management Coordinator, Jefferson  County