Deidra Garrett - President

Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Degree: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, M. Eng. Civil Construction
Graduate of: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Employer: Southern Nuclear

Deidra currently serves as a Project Manager with Southern Nuclear's Major Projects. She has called the Birmingham Metro Area home for over 30 years and looks forward to working through NSBE-BAE to strengthen the local communities.

Tiffany Porterfield - Vice President

Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Degree: B.S. Materials Engineering
Graduate of: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Employer: Southern Company

Tiffany has been with Southern Company for six years. She currently works in the Metallurgy and Materials Applications department as a materials engineer performing failure analysis for the power plants of all of the operating companies. She joined the company as a co-op student in May 2005. She joined the NSBE-BAE professional chapter in 2010 and served as the secretary. She has an older brother, sister-in-law, and a beautiful 10-month-old baby niece.

Verdel Martin - Treasurer

Hometown: Gulfport, MS
Degree: Double Major in Computer Science and Math
Graduate of: Mississippi State University
Employer: Southern Company Services

Verdel is currently employed in the Information Technology department where he is supports the implementation of Enterprise Solutions. He looks forward to bringing his experience to help further the mission of NSBE-BAE in mentoring and developing the engineers who will lead us into the future.

Cotasha Blackburn - Secretary

Hometown: Fayette, AL
Degree: B.S. Chemical Engineering
Graduate of: Tuskegee University
Employer: Southern Nuclear Company

Cotasha currently works as an engineer in the Chemistry Department at Southern Nuclear Company

E.J. Foster - Communications Chair

Hometown: Norcross, GA
Degree: B.S. Mechanical Engineer, M.Eng. Engineering Management
Graduate of: Cornell University
Employer: Southern Company

E.J. currently works in the Systems Planning department of Southern Company. He began his involvement with NSBE from his days in college and joined the alumni community when he came to Birmingham in 2009. He enjoys soccer, reading, video games, and serving his community with his growing Birmingham family.

Andrea Montgomery - Finance Chair

Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Degree: B.S. Physics, M.S. Mechanical Engineering, M.B.A.
Graduate of: Xavier University of Louisiana, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Employer: Southern Company

Andrea is currently employed with Southern Company, one of America's largest producers of electricity, where she supports market strategy & acquisitions for the company's growing coompetitive generation affiliate. dedicated to the mission of NSBE, she has been an active member of NSBE-BAE for the past ten years and is an active community volunteer

Alicia Phillips - Fundraising Co-Chair

Hometown: Tuskegee, AL
Degree: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, M.Eng. Construction Engineering Management
Graduate of: Tuskegee University, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Employer: Southern Company

Alicia currently serves as a Mechanical Retrofit Engineer in the Engineering & Construction Services Design Organization and previously served as a Mechanical Engineering Coordinator on the McDonough Combined Cycle Construction Project. Alicia has been an active member of NSBE-BAE since 2007 and has held the position of Fundraising Co-Chair to benefit the Annual Scholarship Banquet for two consecutive years.

Demitrius Davis - Fundraising Co-Chair

Hometown: Mobile, AL
Degree: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, M.S. Civil Engineering
Graduate of: University of Alabama at Brimingham
Employer: Southern Nuclear

Demitrius currently serves as the Project Manager to the Executive Vice-President of Engineering at Southern Nuclear and previously served as Engineering Supervisor in Southern Nuclear's Fleet Engineering Services. NSBE-BAE has been instrumental in my professional development and I look forward to being apart of a vision that develops and enhances NSBE's existing programs, increase technical awareness in the African-American community, encourages scholastic achievement, and stimulates enthusiasm among our professional colleagues.

Ronique Carter - Membership Chair

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Degree: B.S. Industrial Engineering, M.S.E. Information Engineering Managment
Graduate of: University of Pittsburgh, University of Alabama at Birmingham (2012)
Employer: Honda Manufacturing

Ronique is currently an engineer and supervisor at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama. He has been on the executive board of NSBE-BAE for 7 years. His mission is to impact our world and communities through this wonderful organization by empowering others.

Sheetal Desai - Parliamentarian

Hometown: Houton, TX
Degree: B.B.A. Finance, J.D., L.L.M.
Graduate of: University of Texas, Southern Texas College of Law, University of Alabama
Employer: Southern Nuclear

Sheetal curently serves as a Contracts Agent with Southern Nuclear's Major Projects. Prior to moving to Birmingham, she practiced law in the oil and gas industry. Sheetal looks forward to working with NSBE-BAE to enhance and support success within our community.

Chandra Blackmon - Pre-College Initiative (Co-Chair)

Hometown: Washington, GA
Degree: B.S. Mathematics, B.S. Electrical Engineering, M. Eng. Information Engineering and Management
Graduate of: Fort Valley State University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Employer: Southern Company Services

Chandra is currently a Lead Engineer in Southern Company Services' Transmission Line Design. She has been an active member of NSBE since her freshman year in college and joined the Birmingham Alumni Extension in 2008. She believes in the NSBE mission, giving back to the community and encouraging youth to pusue their dreams

Marsha Morgan- Programs Chair

Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Degree: B.S. Mechanicl Engineering, M.B.A.
Graduate of: Tennessee State University, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Employer: Southern Company

Marsha is employed with Southern Company where she supports the development of new generation facilities. She has also gained experience in the areas of distribution and transmission while there. She is committed to NSBE and has served in a variety of roles with the organization.

Ernest Burnley- Historian

Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Degree: B.S. Marketing, M.B.A. Logistics Management
Graduate of: Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University
Employer: Southern Nuclear

Ernest currently serves as a Contract Agent with Southern Nuclear's Supply Chain Management Department. He has a beautiful 3-year-old daughter named Zoe that receives 100% of his time. Mr. Burnley is dedicates to helping the community and looks forward to continuing that dedication through NSBE-BAE.