leadership
Branch Officers
WILBERT WOODRUFF
President
Wilbert Woodruff has served as the President of the Limestone County NAACP for twelve years. Before becoming President, he served as vice President for many years. Wilbert has always been elected with no opposition and with an overwhelming show of votes. Even before serving in any elected position, he was just as dedicated to the work of the Limestone County NAACP as a volunteer in many capacities. Wherever he is needed, that is where he always is. Because of his love for the Athens Limestone County Community, he has a passion for the work of civil rights for everyone and feels certain that he has been called to do this work.
In addition to serving in the Limestone County Branch he also serves as 2nd Vice President of the Alabama State Conference NAACP. His dedication to civil rights is just as fierce throughout Alabama.
Wilbert retired from 3M Company in 2015 after 39 years of employment. He and his wife Janice have 2 adult sons and nine grandchildren. Wilbert enjoys family gatherings and singing in the family choir as well. Wilbert has served as Deacon for twenty-one plus years and has been a member of David’ Temple M.B. Church for fifty years. Wilbert thrives to serve.
STANLEY MCCRARY
Vice President
Mr. Stanley Deon McCrary is a native of Ethelsville, Pickens County, Alabama. He is the son of the late Bernice McCrary and Norris Cockrell, the sixth of nine sons born to Bernice. McCrary earned his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) with a concentration in Management, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree with a concentration in management from Columbia College, Columbia, MO while attending from the Redstone Arsenal Campus. He holds two Associate of Science Degrees (AS) from Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, Hawaii. McCrary graduated from the Saint Anne Community High School, Saint Anne, IL.
A Veteran of The United States Army, McCrary served his country for more than twenty-two years and received numerous service medals and awards to include the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. A lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), McCrary currently serves as the second-vice president for the Limestone County Branch 5039, Athens, AL. Additionally, he is the assistant treasurer for the Alabama State Conference (ASC) of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). A servant leader, McCrary is a member of the 100 Black Men of America Organization. There he actively serves as chaplain of the Huntsville Chapter and mentor to youth in the Greater Huntsville area. The mission is to improve the quality of life within the communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans.
McCrary has a 20+ year career as a civil servant for the United States Department of Defense. Most notably, he earned a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification while conducting a study and analysis for the improvement of the United States Army’s Basis of Issue Plan Feeder Data (BOIPFD) program. He holds level three certifications in Lifecycle Logistics and Program Management.
Stanley is currently employed as a Logistics Management Specialist for the United States Army’s Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) supporting the Program Executive Office-Aviation, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System Program as the Training Team Lead for the Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System, responsible for training and training development.
He accepted his calling into the ministry and preached his initial sermon, “Which way are you running” in October 2016. He is an Associate Minister with Indian Creek P.B. Church.
Stanley is married to the former Cynthia D. Kelley. Their children and grandchildren are the joy of their lives.
HANU KARLAPALEM
2nd Vice President
Hanu has been a small business person for most of his career. He is the Founder & CEO of Vinhamz, a networking and cloud services technology company. He got his Masters degree in Management Information Systems from The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). Hanu served as an Editorial Board Member of The News Courier, a local community newspaper in Limestone County, Alabama. He is passionate about restoring our democracy. He is committed to fight for Voting Rights, Civil Rights, and Fair Maps as well.
He served as the Chairman of the Asian Americans Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Caucus of the Alabama Democratic Party. He served as an elected member of the State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) from the State House District 4. Hanu ran for Limestone County Commissioner District 3 in 2018. His first run for public office was in 2016 for Madison City mayor.
Hanu and his wife Vidya have been residents of Madison City for 24 years. They have been married for 29 years. He loves music and speaks three languages. You can learn more about Hanu on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter), Threads, Tribal, and Instagram.
MILDRED HORTON
Secretary
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ANN JONES
Assistant Secretary
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LEON STEELE
Treasurer
Leon Steele has served as Treasurer for 18 years. He is committed to the oversight, accountability and responsibility of the Treasurer, and does not take his position lightly. Leon is dedicated to making sure when money is spent; it is supported with proper documentation. He takes overseeing of funds personally and will remind anyone, including the President, if documentation to support any expenditure is improper. During all his years of service there has never ever been one infraction of misconduct in record keeping or reporting. Leon also has served as the Alabama State Conference NAACP Treasure for 13 years. He has been recognized with many awards. He has served and currently serves in many working areas of the local and state NAACP. Leon will continue to carry out the mission to ensure integrity and trust over the finances of the Limestone County NAACP.
TISDA CAMPBELL
Assistant Treasurer
Tisda Campbell was born in Florence, AL. She is currently employed with the Alabama Department of Transportation where she has worked for over 20 years. Her position is an Engineering Assistant III with the DOT. Tisda has been a member of the Limestone County NAACP for over 17 years. She has consistently served in many capacities of the Limestone County NAACP. She has served on the Executive Committee almost since being a member. She has invested her time into the youth of Limestone County as she served as Youth Council Advisor for 8 years. She served as Membership Chair for many years and was diligent in recruiting and retaining memberships. She has served as Assistant Treasurer for four years, and she is committed to the integrity and accountability of the Limestone County NAACP Treasurer.
Tisda understands her commitment to community service because she values the success of all of us as we support each other.
When Tisda is not working or volunteering her time with the Limestone County NAACP, she spends her time with her lovely four daughters and her awesome ten grandchildren.
Executive Committee Members At-Large
Effie Clifton
Veronica Jones
Deborah McDonald
Georgia Nichols
Roy Rugless
Sundra Long Sandifer
Benard Simelton
Elaine Simelton
Janet W. Shoulders
David Steele
Ollie Turner
Tonya Brown
Executive Standing Committee Chairs
ACT-SO
Glenda Malone
Criminal Justice
Kelvin Maclin
Economic Development
Mildred L. Horton
Education
Dawn Martin
Freedom Fund
Mildred L. Horton
Health
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Legal Redress
Alfred Rainey
Membership
Tisda Campbell
Political Action
Diane Steele
Press and Publicity
Horton Matthews
Religious Affairs
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Veterans Affairs
Adolf Jones
Women In NAACP (WIN)
L. Ann Jones
Youth Works
Angela Baines
Leon Brown