SPECIAL TO THE ADVOCATE

The Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce will host Gordon Stone, Mayor of Pike Road, as its guest speaker for the the 2011 Annual Banquet scheduled for Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20.

Stone, a graduate of Fort Dale Academy, grew up in Pine Apple, Alabama as the son of a cattle farmer. Growing up, Gordon wanted to be a farmer like his dad, but as he approached his college years, he set his sights on football.

He said one day he realized he wasn’t going to be the starting quarterback, but that didn’t keep him from walking on and lettering at Auburn University.
“I was one of those guys who had the privilege of working against great players like Bo Jackson, Lionel James, Tommy Agee, and Brent Fulwood every day at practice,” he said. “This helped me realize that as a leader we have to serve.  It also showed me that we may change direction in how we pursue our goals but we should never lose sight of the ultimate objective.”

Stone made lifelong friends as part of the team, and he now serves as president of the Auburn Football Letterman’s club.

Stone and his family moved to Pike Road in 1997 just before the incorporation vote. He joined the Town Council in 2000 and became Mayor in 2004.
Each of his days begins with a “prayer run,” said Stone.

“Anyone who travels down Meriwether Road early in the morning can couch for that!” he said.  “I began this routine several years ago, and it really helps me focus on what is important.”
Stone has been married to Ellen for 21 years, and they have two teenage daughters, Sarah Grace and Emily.

The future Pike Road School System is one of many exciting developments that promises to further enrich the quality of life for those in the area, said Stone.

The most important feature of Stone’s professional life is the work he performs as the Executive Director of the Higher Education Partnership. The Partnership is the statewide advocacy organization for Alabama’s public, four-year universities. The Partnership hired Stone in 1997 as its first employee. He and a staff of dedicated employees have guided the entity to its current place as one of the state’s principle voices for public education policy. Representing a voting population of more than 150,000 people, the Partnership hosts the state’s largest annual advocacy rally in Montgomery.
Stone also serves as a leader with the National Young Farmer Educational Association where he assists the organization achieves its goals.

Stone doesn’t have a lot of free time, but when he does, he loves spending time with his family and church, where he is an active member and a deacon.  Every night around 10 p.m., he unwinds with a huge bowl of Blue Bell Ice Cream, he said.

“To me, the greatest truth from the Pike Road story – which began more than 175 years ago – is that a passionate, persistent pursuit of a vision will produce remarkable results,” he said. “I am thankful every day to be a part of such and extraordinary place filled with special people.”

– Excerpts taken form from Montgomery Living Magazine, January 2011