2026 Board Election Bios
Amy McWilliams
NAHA has given so much to my family over the years, and serving on the board has been one of the ways I can give back to a community that means a lot to us. I care deeply about the experience our players and families have, and I want to continue helping shape a program that is organized, transparent, and positioned well for the future.
My family and I have been part of the Huntsville hockey community for years, and it has truly become a second home for us. Between my kids playing at multiple levels over the years and both my husband and me being involved in adult hockey, we have experienced this program from just about every angle. I have also served as a team manager for several teams, which has given me a firsthand understanding of the day-to-day experience for families, players, and volunteers.
I currently serve as Secretary on the NAHA Board, where my focus has been on creating clear, transparent meeting minutes and improving communication so families better understand how decisions are made. One of my core beliefs is that transparency matters. Whether that is in conversations at the rink or in formal communication, I believe families should feel informed, included, and confident in the direction of the organization.
In addition to communication, I have worked to bring more structure and accountability to board operations. This includes helping establish processes that create consistency across board functions and support better decision-making over time.
During my time on the board, I have led and supported several initiatives aimed at improving both operations and the overall experience for our members. This includes transitioning from mailed ballots to electronic voting, resulting in significant cost savings for the organization, as well as helping establish more defined procedures for board functions. Most recently, I led the committee to redesign the NAHA website with the goal of creating a more welcoming and informative experience for new families while also making it more functional for our current members.
Professionally, I own a marketing agency and bring both business and nonprofit experience to the board. I tend to approach challenges with a practical, solutions-focused mindset while also keeping long-term sustainability in mind.
If re-elected, my goal remains the same: to continue supporting a program that is well-run, transparent, and focused on the experience of our families and players. I care deeply about this community and would be honored to continue serving.
Brad Keites
I was born and raised in Portland, Maine, where I began playing hockey at the age of seven. Hockey has been a constant thread throughout my life, shaping not only my athletic experience but also my sense of community, teamwork, and commitment. When I joined the military, our very first duty station was in Texas, and one of the first things I did was seek out the local rink. I joined the men’s league and immediately became involved in coaching youth hockey. Since then, I have coached youth hockey in every state we’ve lived in, including Maine, Massachusetts, and Alabama, gaining a broad perspective on how different programs operate and how strong leadership can positively impact player development and rink culture.
Hockey is also a central part of my family’s life. Both of my sons play—my oldest began skating at age four and is now 16, and my youngest has been playing since that same early age. We spend more time at the rink than almost anywhere else, and it has truly become our second home. Because of this deep personal and family connection, I care strongly about the long-term success of our rink and the experience it provides to players, families, and the broader hockey community.
In addition to my hockey background, I am a graduate of the university of Alabama in Huntsville, where I earned my degree in Electrical Engineering. I currently work at Astrion, supporting PEO Missiles and Space. My professional experience has strengthened my skills in problem-solving, strategic planning, and collaboration—skills I believe are directly applicable to effective board leadership and responsible decision-making.
Serving on the NAHA Board of Directors would allow me to give back to a sport and a community that have given so much to me and my family. I am motivated to contribute my experience as a lifelong player, coach, military veteran, engineer, and hockey parent to help guide decisions that support growth, accessibility, and a positive environment for all who step onto the ice.
Craig Bushey
My name is Craig Bushey, and I’m excited for the opportunity to serve on our local hockey board. Hockey has been a major part of my life as both a player and a coach. I’ve been fortunate to play at high levels, including time with the UAH Chargers and the Huntsville Havoc, experiences that deepened my love for the game and shaped my understanding of what strong player development and team culture look like.
I coach with a big heart and a focus on making every moment meaningful for the kids. I’ve worked with players from 4-year-olds just starting out to college athletes, and no matter the age, my priority is the same: ensuring every kid has the best experience possible every time they hit the ice.
Professionally, I work as a Materials Replenishment Supervisor, where I focus on organization, communication, and problem‑solving — skills that translate directly into helping strengthen our hockey program’s structure and support systems.
Hockey is a family passion for me. I have three kids who play, and being a part of their hockey journey has motivated me to help create a positive, transparent, and well-run program for all families.
I would be honored to bring my playing experience, coaching passion, and leadership background to our hockey board.
Eddy Conlon
My hockey roots were formed on the frozen ponds, lakes, and outdoor basketball courts of Montana. When I first asked for your vote two years ago, I wrote about the values that define me: family, community, and genuine love for the game. Those values still define me today. Some of my earliest memories on the ice are chasing the giant strides of my dad, an Olympic candidate who trained in Squaw Valley, California under Coach Bob Johnson and Grant Stanbrook.
Over the last two years serving on the NAHA Board, and this past year as Vice President, I haven’t changed who I am, but I have gained a better understanding of how NAHA operates, what we do well, and where we need to improve. Those conversations, volunteer hours, and tough decisions have reinforced what our community needs most: decision-making that is fair, accountable, and responsive.
As a USA Hockey Level 3 certified coach, I’ve had the privilege of coaching within NAHA and working with many of your kids over the years. I’m proud of that chapter, and I’m equally proud that I stepped back from coaching when it became clear I could serve NAHA better off the ice than behind the boards. I’ve also been part of the adult hockey community through the ADL program for many years, and I understand how important adult hockey is to the fabric of our rink, creating friendships, a mental reset after long weeks, and a place where people of all backgrounds can belong.
One of the strongest lessons I’ve learned is the value of the volunteers and rink staff who keep everything moving. I stay engaged with coaches, team managers, referees, and our hockey office leadership, including adult programming, to listen, solve problems, and represent their feedback at the Board level. I also work with Ice Sports Center management and the city rink board to keep community needs aligned with operations and long-term planning.
Financially, I’ve worked to keep hockey as cost-effective as possible while staying realistic about rising facility costs and long-term planning. NAHA must remain disciplined and practical with budget decisions, so we protect access to the sport while supporting a sustainable operation.
NAHA is a passionate community with limited ice time and competing priorities, and it’s impossible to make every person happy. You may not always agree with every outcome, but I can assure you my intention has been consistent: make the best decision possible with integrity and respect for everyone involved, youth and adult players alike.
Looking ahead, the addition of an extra sheet of ice is a major opportunity for Huntsville hockey. I will continue advocating with rink and city leadership for smart planning, sustainable growth, and programming that strengthens NAHA for generations to come.
Beyond the rink, I’m an owner at LEED Corporate Services, where our teams support complex operations in demanding environments. That work reinforces what matters when people rely on you: steady leadership, clear communication, and consistent execution.
If re-elected, I’ll continue bringing that same mindset to NAHA, staying accessible, doing the work, and pushing issues to resolution.
My goal is simple: protect access, improve the experience, and keep our culture strong as we grow.
I’m Eddy Conlon, and I respectfully ask for your vote.
Evan Semel
As a dedicated member of the North Alabama Hockey Association (NAHA) community for the past ten years and a former board member, I would be honored to serve our community on the Board of Directors once again. My commitment to Hockey is rooted in my multifaceted involvement as a parent, coach, and player, providing me with a comprehensive 360-degree perspective on our organization.
My engagement with the hockey community extends beyond our local rinks. Through extensive travel to tournaments across the country with my two travel players over the last five seasons, I have had the unique opportunity to observe and analyze a wide range of youth hockey programs. By engaging with parents and leaders from other successful organizations, I have gathered valuable insights into different operational models, coaching philosophies, and community engagement strategies. I am confident that this knowledge of national best practices can be leveraged to further enhance NAHA's programs and contribute to our continued success.
My experience within NAHA is deeply integrated. I am the father of three players currently active in the travel, house league, and All-Star programs, and I am an active player in the adult leagues. This hands-on involvement ensures I am at an ice rink almost daily, connecting with families and understanding the needs of our members at every level.
Furthermore, my dedication to player development is demonstrated by my USA Hockey Level 4 coaching certification. Since volunteering to coach Learn to Play in 2016, I have coached various age groups and currently coach at the 8U level. This experience has given me a fundamental understanding of skill progression and the importance of fostering a positive and effective development environment for our youngest athletes.
My goal is to apply this comprehensive experience to help guide our organization, ensuring NAHA not only continues to thrive but also solidifies its foundation for long-term growth and success for years to come.
Jared Ross
My father, Doug Ross, was the University of Alabama Head Hockey Coach for 25 years, starting in 1982. I grew up playing hockey in Huntsville for NAHA, 6U through 16U. I played Division I hockey for the UAH Chargers from 2001 to 2005. After graduating, I played professional hockey for 12 years and became the first Alabama born and raised player to play in the NHL, for the Philadelphia Flyers. After retiring, I stayed in Huntsville and began coaching NAHA teams over the past 10 years. I have two sons that play hockey, both of whom played in the organization for the Chargers and Thunder.
I am passionate about the success of hockey in Huntsville, AL and my goal as a board member is to improve the product we offer to allow individual and team development. My desire is to continue to grow hockey in Huntsville and offer players the opportunity to play competitively across all ages and skills. As a coach, I focus on skill and character development with an emphasis on sportsmanship, hard work, and persistency.
I have been on the board for the last 8 years.
Jeffery Edmiston
What I would like to see is a concentrated effort to make NAHA more “fun”. I would like to see the youth program adopt a travel program that doesn’t turn kids away; instead it establishes a tiered system that will help these kids that aren’t quite ready for the higher levels work their way up. For example we would have the following: Thunder AA Elite, Chargers AA, Chargers A, and then a Travel B team. Teams can be built from the top down, taking the best ones for the highest rated team and then filling the teams accordingly. This can help curb players leaving for other programs in other cities.
For the house program I would like to try and bring back the local schools getting involved with NAHA and have the kids play for their respective schools. This can also help draw in kids that haven’t played hockey that go to these schools who will want to play after seeing their friends playing.
For SOL league we need a set of rules and bylaws in place that are updated yearly. I would like to see the league adopt a promotion/relegation system; this way teams can build their rosters with the players they want. For example: if a B division team wins the championship at the end of the season they would get moved up to A division; and if you finished in the bottom of A division you would get moved down to B division, and so forth. I would like us to get back to having a single league and not have splintered off leagues where we continue to make our teams per division smaller.
I’ve been in hockey since I was three years old. I have a daughter who is on her third year of youth hockey. I have traveled all over the country to play the game that I love, and I want to see those opportunities continue to grow for our youth. These teams build families for life; let’s work together to keep it that way.
Matthew Longely
Reasons for wanting to be on the board:
I have 5 boys who play hockey in Huntsville. They will play 16u, 14u, 12u, 10u, and 8u next season. Also, my wife and I both play in SOL and Havoc adult hockey leagues.
Bio: Matthew Longley is a North Alabama entrepreneur and father of five who is deeply invested in youth hockey and the development it provides young athletes. As a hockey parent, he values the discipline, resilience, teamwork, and leadership that the sport builds both on and off the ice.
Professionally, Matthew has founded and operated multiple successful businesses, giving him hands-on experience in strategic planning, budgeting, marketing, and long-term organizational growth. He brings a practical, solutions-focused mindset and believes strong communication and clear direction are key to a thriving organization.
Matthew is seeking to serve on the NAHA Board to help strengthen player development, support coaches and families, and contribute to the continued growth and long-term stability of hockey in North Alabama. He is committed to helping ensure NAHA remains competitive, well-run, and focused on developing both strong athletes and strong character.
Ryan Brown
Ryan brings a lifetime of hockey experience and a passion for player development to the youth hockey program. His competitive journey began in Canada, where he played Junior hockey before earning a scholarship to the University of Alabama in Huntsville Chargers (2001–2005). After college, Ryan continued competing professionally with the Huntsville Havoc in 2005.
Ryan’s lifelong connection to the sport deepened when his son, Oliver, fell in love with hockey at an early age. That shared enthusiasm inspired Ryan to step behind the bench, where he discovered a true calling in mentoring young athletes.
As a coach, Ryan is dedicated to developing respectful, hardworking players who pursue excellence while maintaining a genuine joy for the game. He believes hockey is more than a sport—it’s a powerful platform for teaching life lessons in teamwork, discipline, accountability, and perseverance.
Off the ice, Ryan works as an accountant for Aviation Missiles and Solutions. He is proud to serve the local hockey community and help create an environment where players can grow and thrive both on and off the ice.
Ryan Simmons
Hockey has been a defining part of my entire life, and I firmly believe it is one of the best team sports for youth development. With my experience in Huntsville hockey dating back to the early 1990s, I have firsthand knowledge of where our programs have been, where they are now, and where they can go in the future. As a current coach and board member, my focus has been on the positive development of youth players in North Alabama and the surrounding areas. If re-elected, I will remain committed to serving NAHA, taking a long-term view toward strengthening our programs for every member and family involved.
I was introduced to the game by my father and began playing in the HAHA youth house league at age five. I later joined the Huntsville travel program at age nine, where I continued to play until the age of 18, serving as an assistant captain for most seasons. From the years 2005 until 2008, I continued playing at the University of Alabama, where I was a founding member of the Alabama Frozen Tide club hockey team. After earning my B.A. in Psychology in 2008, I returned to Huntsville to coach a squirt house league team in the 2008-2009 season. Since then, I’ve played in the SOL multiple years and served as a team captain during some of those seasons. Since 2019, I’ve coached multiple NAHA 6U and 8U house league teams, an 8U all-star team, and earned my USA Hockey Level 4 coaching certification in 2023. Since 2024, I’ve served as an assistant coach for my son’s 10U A and AA Chargers travel teams.
Sandy Albee
Hi! I am Sandy Allbee, and my family has been a part of the North Alabama Hockey Association (NAHA) for over 10 years. I am running for the NAHA Board because the next two years hold strong opportunities for a unique phase of growth in our hockey community. No other geographical area in the Southern Amateur Hockey Association (SAHA) has an expansion of ice facilities currently underway. This presents a rare opportunity to shape the future of hockey in the South in a way that enhances access and player development from termites through adult league.
Over the years, I’ve been actively involved across the spectrum of NAHA supported programs, from house league starting at Termites, to Jr. Havoc All Stars, to Chargers travel teams, a TPH Academy parent, and most recently as current manager of the 16U Thunder team. Instead of standing on the sidelines, I want to contribute my skills in program and project management, event planning, and leadership development to strengthen the foundation of our association. If elected, I will work to define clear written expectations for coaches, managers, players, and parents (where applicable) to help foster an environment of quality and accountability for everyone in our organization as we continue to grow our programming.
Professionally, I serve as CEO of BID DESIGNS, a premier federal proposal services firm based in Huntsville that supports clients nationwide. I lead internal operations, client relations, and a trained team of professionals. I also hold a master’s degree and have served on multiple nonprofit advisory boards including the Huntsville Association of Small Business in Technology (HASBAT), bringing an experienced perspective in organizational development and community engagement.
As a hockey parent and business leader, I support the development of well-structured and sustainable programs to benefit our players, especially at the critical 8U and 10U levels. Focusing on this age group will allow us to grow a pipeline of prepared and excited players through 18U and beyond. With thoughtful and careful planning, our newice will allow existing youth through adult programs to flourish too.
Thank you for considering me to represent NAHA.
Shelby Allen
I want to join the hockey board because it gives me the opportunity to be active in my community and contribute to a program that plays a significant role in our family’s life. As a hockey mom for the past five years, I’ve developed a deep passion for the experience our kids have both on and off the ice. I care about creating a positive, encouraging environment where they can grow, build confidence, good character and make lasting memories. I want to help strengthen the long-term future of the hockey program and I would value the opportunity to support the organization in a way that benefits all of our players and families.
I was raised in a military family for 20 years and later served as a military spouse for two years, experiences that shaped my adaptability, resilience, and appreciation for community. Originally from Louisiana, I spent 10 years living in Europe and four years in Asia, and have traveled extensively throughout the United States eventually choosing to call Alabama “home”. Professionally, I have worked in the financial industry for over 15 years and have served as a Branch Manager for the past 10, leading teams, managing operations, and prioritizing strong customer relationships. I have also been actively involved in community service, previously serving on the board of Habitat for Humanity, teaching financial literacy programs through Junior Achievement and Hands on Banking, and maintaining an active role in my church. I am passionate about serving others and contributing to organizations that strengthen families and the broader community.
Stephanie Jeffrey
It would be an understatement to say that I have been extremely active in the Huntsville hockey community, primarily on the adult side but increasingly with youth hockey as well. Over the last 8+ years, I’ve participated in numerous programs and leagues with NAHA, HAHL, Fight Club, and various events with TPH. Like many of us, I started as “just a player,” quickly realized how special our hockey community is, and wanted to give back to help keep it strong and growing.
When I first ran for the NAHA Board in 2022, I knew our adult hockey programs were something unique—not just for Huntsville, but for the southeast—and worth protecting and building on. As my second term has progressed, I feel I’ve continued to contribute in meaningful ways and would appreciate the opportunity to keep that work moving forward. I am currently completing my third year as Director of the Senior Open League (SOL), previously served one year as Deputy Director, and was Division Coordinator for the C1/D3 division for four years.
While serving as SOL Deputy Director, I helped form the SOL Committee, and as Director I’ve continued working to strengthen its role so members have a clearer voice in how their league operates. I’ve implemented several changes within SOL, including improving parity across divisions and assuring that players are registered for programs and divisions appropriate , and I remain committed to continuing that work so games stay competitive, balanced, and fun for everyone.
Over the past two years, I have taken on primary responsibility for the operation of the adult hockey program and have been the sole NAHA Board member directly overseeing its day-to-day function and long-term development. That’s included everything from long-term planning to the occasional behind-the-scenes effort that can feel a bit like herding cats in hockey gear—but it’s work I genuinely care about. During that time, I’ve worked to grow adult programs while keeping cost increases to a minimum whenever possible—because we all know ice time isn’t getting cheaper. I’m especially proud to have helped return the Adult Development Program (ADP) to a thriving and sustainable place and to continue improving the overall structure and opportunities across adult hockey. My focus has been simple: keep the programs organized, accessible, and moving in the right direction for the whole league.
Part of that responsibility means making decisions that aren’t always easy. I’m not afraid to make the tough calls when they benefit the league as a whole, and I strongly believe in fairness and consistency. I make a point not to cater to or give preference to any one individual, team, or division—because maintaining trust across the entire league matters more than keeping any single group happy in the short term.
While my Board role has required a heavy focus on adult hockey, I also care deeply about the youth side of NAHA. Over the years, I’ve made a very intentional effort to learn as much as possible about our youth programs by asking questions, listening, and staying involved. On many Friday nights, you’ll find me at the rink watching house league games, and I’ve stepped in to help with scorekeeping when needed. By taking primary responsibility for adult hockey operations, I’ve also helped free up other Board members to focus more of their time on youth programs—something that benefits the entire organization.
Beyond league operations, I assisted in implementing NAHA’s electronic voting system, have led additional committees, and participated in several others. I’m also a member of the Executive Committee of the Alabama Amateur Hockey Players Association (AAHPA), served as Secretary during its founding year, and continue to represent the group as requested. I’ve been invited to participate on the Rink Expansion Planning Committee to help ensure the needs of the hockey community are considered. Over the years, I’ve also helped organize numerous tournaments—including 3-on-3 and full-team events—as well as fundraisers supporting members of our hockey family when they needed it most.
Outside of hockey, I’ve served multiple terms as Secretary and Treasurer for other volunteer organizations, led a Program Operations subcommittee for TEDx Huntsville, and volunteered extensively with Kids to Love.
I would appreciate the opportunity to continue building on the progress we’ve made and to keep working toward strong, fair, and sustainable programs that support both the adult and youth hockey communities here in Huntsville.