David Bier | Madison City Council District 2 | Our Town w/ Troy Bye

On this episode of Our Town w/ Troy Bye, we welcome David Bier, Madison, Alabama City Council Representative for District 2, accomplished business executive, entrepreneur, and community leader whose career has taken him from the entertainment industry to corporate leadership and ultimately into public service.

David currently serves as Partner and Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Frazier & Deeter Advisory, bringing decades of experience in business management, strategic planning, financial oversight, and organizational leadership to his role in municipal government.

Before entering the professional services industry, David spent approximately 22 years in the movie theater business, holding management positions across the country, including regional leadership responsibilities in Texas and oversight of one of the nation's top-performing theaters in Massachusetts.

In 2007, David and four business partners launched Monaco Pictures in Huntsville, Alabama, an upscale cinema concept that helped transform the moviegoing experience in the Tennessee Valley. As Vice President and Operating Partner, David played a key role in establishing, managing, and growing the business before its eventual sale.

Following his entrepreneurial success, David transitioned into executive leadership in the accounting and professional services industry, serving as Partner and Chief Operating Officer at Anglin Reichmann Armstrong. His responsibilities included strategic growth, business operations, organizational development, and leadership before moving into his current mergers and acquisitions role.

In February 2025, David announced his candidacy for Madison City Council District 2, following longtime representative Connie Spears' decision not to seek reelection. Elected without opposition, David began his term in November 2025.

He currently serves as Chair of the Madison City Council Finance Committee, applying his extensive private-sector experience to municipal budgeting, infrastructure investment, economic development, and long-term financial planning. His priorities include fiscal responsibility, managing Madison's rapid growth, supporting public safety and education, improving infrastructure, and preserving the community's exceptional quality of life.

David and his wife, Jennifer, live in Madison, where they raised their two sons, Ryan and Matthew.

In this conversation, we explore David's entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of building and selling a business, his transition into corporate leadership, and what inspired him to enter local politics. We also discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Madison, the complexities of balancing growth with community identity, and the differences between leading in the private sector and serving in elected government.

From entrepreneurship and corporate strategy to public service and community leadership, David shares his perspective on decision-making, accountability, and helping shape the future of one of North Alabama's fastest-growing communities.

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a

brand of the Our Town Company, LLC

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On this episode of Our Town w/ Troy Bye, Troy welcomes Stephanie Cashin, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), EMDR-certified therapist, entrepreneur, and the founder and clinical director of Huntsville Integrative Therapy in Huntsville, Alabama. Known through her online presence as “The Huntsville Therapist,” Stephanie has built a professional identity around helping individuals better understand their emotional well-being, challenge deeply ingrained patterns of thinking, and develop healthier relationships with themselves and others.

Stephanie specializes in working with high-achieving women who, despite outward appearances of success, often find themselves struggling with burnout, anxiety, overwhelming responsibilities, people-pleasing, emotional exhaustion, and the pressure to meet the expectations of everyone around them. Her work addresses a particularly challenging contradiction of modern life: how someone can appear successful, productive, and accomplished while privately experiencing profound dissatisfaction, stress, or disconnection from their own identity.

As the founder of Huntsville Integrative Therapy, Stephanie has established a specialized mental health practice built around individualized, comprehensive care rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Her philosophy emphasizes helping clients understand not only the symptoms they experience but also the underlying beliefs, emotional experiences, and personal narratives that influence how they view themselves and navigate the world.

Stephanie also incorporates Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based psychotherapy approach commonly used in treating trauma and distressing memories, along with principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which emphasizes emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Through her practice and educational content, Stephanie explores issues such as perfectionism, self-abandonment, chronic stress, burnout, emotional boundaries, identity, and the often-unspoken expectations placed upon women balancing careers, families, caregiving responsibilities, and personal ambitions.

In addition to her clinical work, Stephanie is a business owner and mental health communicator. Through her online presence as @thehuntsvilletherapist, along with educational articles and other resources, she seeks to make conversations about therapy, emotional health, and personal growth more accessible and relatable.

Her work reflects an understanding that mental health challenges are not limited to those experiencing obvious crises. Even highly capable, accomplished individuals can struggle privately with feelings of inadequacy, unresolved emotional experiences, or a persistent sense that something is missing from their lives.

Stephanie earned graduate-level education at the University of Alabama and holds licensure as an Independent Clinical Social Worker through the Alabama Board of Social Work Examiners. Her professional qualifications also include EMDR certification and recognition as an approved continuing education provider through the Alabama Board of Social Work Examiners.

Her Huntsville-based practice provides in-person therapy as well as virtual services for clients throughout Alabama.

Learn more about Stephanie Cashin:

Website: https://therapyhuntsville.com

Instagram: @thehuntsvilletherapist

Practice: Huntsville Integrative Therapy

Location: Huntsville, Alabama

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a

brand of the Our Town Company, LLC Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapAWatch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomHAudio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcastsFollow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast

J. Henry Tate is an author, former private investigator, and longtime North Alabama resident whose debut novel, Echoes of Betrayal: Protocol Clean Slate, draws inspiration from an extraordinary chapter of his own life.Before becoming an author, Tate worked as a private investigator in Huntsville, Alabama, during the 1980s. What began as a seemingly routine domestic investigation unexpectedly developed into something much larger—an international espionage case that ultimately involved the U.S. State Department. For decades, Tate considered telling the story as nonfiction, but the complexities surrounding the real events made that difficult. After retiring from the mortgage industry, he ultimately decided to transform those experiences into fiction.The result is Echoes of Betrayal: Protocol Clean Slate, a mystery, espionage, and suspense thriller centered on Jack Campbell, an African American private investigator based in Alabama. Campbell's life is turned upside down when his boss and best friend, Daniel Draper, is shot in front of his family. What initially appears to be an isolated act of violence soon connects back to a previous investigation involving an Army captain and his Air Force wife—and ultimately pulls Campbell into a dangerous world of international espionage, government secrets, hidden identities, betrayal, and threats to national security.Published in 2024, Echoes of Betrayal: Protocol Clean Slate is Tate's first published novel. The 242-page thriller combines elements of mystery and espionage with questions surrounding loyalty, morality, relationships, technology, and the difficulty of knowing whom to trust when appearances can be deliberately deceiving.Tate's influences include authors such as John Grisham, Lee Child, Mark Dawson, and Cindy Dees. He has also indicated that Echoes of Betrayal may not be the end of Jack Campbell's story, with another installment involving the character among his planned writing projects.Beyond writing, Tate has had a varied professional career that has included private investigation and many years in the mortgage industry. He has also been involved in his North Alabama community, including serving as a longtime volunteer and former board member with Habitat for Humanity of Madison County.In this episode of Our Town, Troy sits down with J. Henry Tate to explore the remarkable true experiences that inspired Echoes of Betrayal: Protocol Clean Slate, his years as a private investigator in Huntsville, how an ordinary case reportedly escalated into an international espionage investigation, and why it took decades for Tate to finally turn the experience into a novel.Their conversation also explores the line between fact and fiction, the challenge of fictionalizing events involving real people and government agencies, Tate's transition from investigator and businessman to published novelist, and the creation of Jack Campbell and the world of Echoes of Betrayal.Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapAWatch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomHAudio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcastsFollow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast

Ricky Fernandez is one of the most recognizable personalities in North Alabama sports and serves as the Senior Director of Marketing and Promotions for the Rocket City Trash Pandas, where he leads the creative vision behind one of Minor League Baseball's most celebrated fan experiences. As the energetic on-field emcee at Toyota Field, Ricky has become the face and voice of countless unforgettable moments, entertaining thousands of fans each game while helping transform every home stand into a community event rather than simply a baseball game.

A Huntsville native through and through, Ricky was born and raised in the Rocket City. He graduated from Bob Jones High School before earning his degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, giving him deep roots in the community he now helps entertain. His love for North Alabama and its people has made him a passionate ambassador for the region, both on and off the field.

Before joining the Trash Pandas organization, Ricky built a career in broadcasting, working in local radio as a producer and on-air personality. His background behind the microphone sharpened the quick wit, timing, and audience engagement skills that have become trademarks of his work today. He has a natural ability to connect with crowds, making him one of the most recognizable public personalities in the Huntsville-Madison area.

Ricky joined the Rocket City Trash Pandas during the organization's formative years in 2019, helping launch a franchise that would quickly become one of the premier success stories in Minor League Baseball. Interestingly, he nearly left his mark on the club before ever being hired—he finished second in the team's famous "Name the Team" contest with his submission, ThunderSharks, before "Trash Pandas" was ultimately selected. That connection to the franchise's earliest days has made him an integral part of its identity ever since.

Over the years, Ricky has risen through the organization from Game Entertainment and Promotions Manager to Director and now Senior Director of Marketing and Promotions. In that role, he oversees the club's promotional calendar, theme nights, giveaways, fan engagement initiatives, and in-game entertainment strategy. From sold-out bobblehead nights and specialty jerseys to nationally recognized promotional events, Ricky's creativity has helped make Toyota Field one of the most entertaining venues in all of Minor League Baseball.

His influence extends well beyond baseball. Ricky has helped position Toyota Field as a year-round entertainment destination by supporting concerts, festivals, holiday events, community celebrations, collegiate athletics, and special attractions that bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Town Madison each year. His work demonstrates how modern sports marketing is about building experiences that strengthen an entire community.

Today, Ricky Fernandez is widely regarded as one of the driving creative forces behind the Rocket City Trash Pandas' remarkable success. Whether he's orchestrating a memorable promotion, hyping a packed crowd between innings, or developing the next big idea that keeps fans coming back, Ricky combines hometown pride, marketing innovation, and infectious enthusiasm to create experiences that have made the Trash Pandas one of the most beloved brands in Minor League Baseball.

Visit https://trashpandasbaseball.com for more information on the Rocket City Trash Pandas and when you can see Ricky do this thing at a game.Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapAWatch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomHAudio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcastsFollow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/

Chelsea McKinney is a North Alabama entrepreneur, REALTOR®, business owner, and investor whose career has been built around one central mission: helping people protect and maximize the value of their homes. Through her experience in real estate, residential investing, and construction, she has developed a unique perspective that spans nearly every stage of home ownership—from purchasing a first home to renovating, maintaining, and protecting one of a family's largest financial investments.

A lifelong resident of Madison, Alabama, Chelsea developed an early passion for real estate through buying, renovating, and investing in homes. After spending years investing in residential properties, she earned her real estate license in 2014, turning that passion into a full-time profession. Her firsthand experience as an investor gave her an understanding of the housing market that extends well beyond traditional real estate transactions, allowing her to help buyers identify opportunities and sellers maximize their home's value.

Chelsea first established herself with Revolved Realty, where she quickly earned a reputation for being knowledgeable, responsive, and deeply committed to her clients. She specialized in working with both buyers and sellers throughout the rapidly growing Huntsville and Madison markets, helping families navigate one of the most significant financial decisions of their lives. During this time, she became known for her practical advice, strong negotiation skills, and ability to identify homes with long-term investment potential. Her background as a real estate investor enabled her to see opportunities that others often overlooked, particularly in renovation projects and value-add properties.

As her career progressed, Chelsea joined Leading Edge Real Estate Group, where she serves as a REALTOR® and Partner. At Leading Edge, she continues to represent buyers, sellers, and investors throughout North Alabama while building lasting relationships based on trust, transparency, and exceptional service. Over more than a decade in real estate, she has participated.

At McKinney & Sons Roofing, Chelsea combines her real estate expertise with construction knowledge to help homeowners make informed decisions that protect both their property and its long-term value. Because she understands what buyers, sellers, inspectors, lenders, and insurance companies look for during a real estate transaction, she brings a unique perspective to every roofing project. Whether working with homeowners after storm damage, assisting Realtors trying to keep transactions on schedule, or helping families navigate the insurance claims process, Chelsea focuses on education, honest communication, and delivering quality workmanship through a customer-first approach.

Today, Chelsea continues to wear multiple hats as a REALTOR®, entrepreneur, real estate investor, and co-owner of McKinney & Sons Roofing. By combining expertise in real estate, residential construction, and property investment, she has built a career centered on helping people make smart decisions about their homes—whether they're buying one, selling one, renovating one, or protecting it for years to come.

Visit https://www.mckinney-roof.com to learn more about Chelsea and McKinney and Sons Roofing

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapA

Watch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomH

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A community watch party featuring music from The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square on June 26, 2026. The venue will open at 3 PM with bounce houses, giant yard pong, corn hole, and jumbo Connect 4 as entertainment. The show will begin at 7 PM and fireworks will follow.Proceeds from all concessions will be donated to our local charitable organization First Stop,Inc. who is dedicated to helping homeless people move from homelessness to stability.There will also be a special performance from classically trained tenor, Nathan Pacheco, singingthe National Anthem live.In this special episode, we explore a historic moment for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in North Alabama—the creation of the new Sipsey Alabama Stake. The organization of a new stake is often seen as a sign of growth, faith, and strengthening congregations, and this milestone reflects decades of steady development across the region.Through exclusive interviews with President Kariya of the Huntsville Alabama Stake, President Dunford of the Madison Alabama Stake, and President Garcia of the newly formed Sipsey Alabama Stake, we discuss the history, challenges, and opportunities that led to this significant reorganization. Together, they share insights into leadership, ministering to growing congregations, and what this new chapter means for Latter-day Saints throughout North Alabama.Whether you're a member of the Church, interested in the history of faith communities in the American South, or simply curious about how religious organizations grow and evolve, this conversation offers a unique look at a landmark event in Alabama Church history.Visit http://churchofjesuschrist.org for more information on the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day SaintsHost/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapAWatch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomHAudio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcastsFollow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/

Today’s guest is Ranae Bartlett, the Mayor of Madison, one of the fastest-growing and most successful cities in the Southeast. Her career spans law, education, corporate leadership, nonprofit management, public service, and municipal government, making her one of the most accomplished civic leaders in North Alabama.

During nearly a decade of service, she helped guide one of Alabama's highest-performing school systems through periods of rapid enrollment growth and increasing academic success. She served as Vice President of the Board from 2015 to 2017 and as President from 2017 to 2020, providing leadership during a critical period of expansion for Madison City Schools.Her contributions to education earned statewide recognition. In 2020, she received the All-State School Board Member Award from the Alabama Association of School Boards, one of the highest honors available to school board members in Alabama.Her influence in the chess world grew nationally when she was selected as Executive Director of the United States Chess Federation in 2024. As the leader of the nation's largest chess organization, she oversaw programs serving players, clubs, tournaments, and scholastic chess initiatives across the United States. She held that position until assuming the office of mayor in November 2025.Meanwhile, her local government career continued to advance. In 2020, Madison voters elected her to the Madison City Council representing District 5. During her tenure, she earned the respect of her colleagues and was selected to serve as Council President from 2022 to 2024 and later as Council President Pro Tempore in 2025. Her work focused on responsible growth, infrastructure planning, education, and maintaining Madison's reputation as one of Alabama's most desirable places to live.In 2025, Bartlett launched a successful campaign for mayor, emphasizing experienced leadership, economic development, support for Madison's award-winning schools, infrastructure improvements, and responsible management of the city's rapid growth. She won the election outright with a majority of the vote, avoiding a runoff and becoming the first Asian-American mayor in Alabama history.Since taking office in November 2025, Mayor Bartlett has focused on economic development, strengthening communication within city government, supporting local businesses, investing in public education, and ensuring Madison continues to provide the high quality of life residents expect. Her administration has emphasized strategic growth planning, collaboration with regional partners, and positioning Madison for long-term success.In addition to her professional accomplishments, Mayor Bartlett is a graduate of Leadership Greater Huntsville Class 26 and has been recognized throughout her career for community service and leadership. She received the Women of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama in 2013 and has become widely known for bringing a thoughtful, strategic, and collaborative leadership style to every role she has held.From federal courtrooms to corporate boardrooms, from school board leadership to the national chess community, and now as Mayor of Madison, Ranae Bartlett's career reflects a lifelong commitment to public service, strategic thinking, educational excellence, and building stronger communities.For more information on Mayor Bartlett visit https://madisonal.govHost/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapAWatch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomH Audio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/

Today on the Our Town w/ Troy Bye, we welcome author Charles H. Souther, a storyteller and historian whose life experiences span one of the most transformative periods in American history. Souther is the author of the memoir From the Mules and Wagon to the Space Shuttle, a reflective and deeply personal account of growing up in a rural America that would evolve from horse-drawn transportation and isolated farming communities into the modern technological age of rockets, computers, and space exploration.

Raised in the American South during a time when daily life revolved around agriculture, faith, family, and close-knit communities, Souther witnessed firsthand the enormous cultural, economic, and technological shifts that reshaped the nation throughout the 20th century. His writing preserves the memories, traditions, and values of an earlier generation while documenting the transition into the modern world.

Through vivid storytelling, Souther recounts experiences from childhood, farm life, community gatherings, wartime eras, changing transportation, industrial growth, and the rise of the Space Age — offering readers a rare bridge between two vastly different Americas. His work resonates with audiences who appreciate oral history, Southern heritage, Americana, and the stories of ordinary people living through extraordinary change. Souther’s book is more than a memoir — it is a historical snapshot of a disappearing way of life and a tribute to the resilience, ingenuity, and work ethic of generations who endured hardship while helping build modern America.

The title itself symbolizes the remarkable arc of progress he witnessed during his lifetime: from mules and wagons on dirt roads to humanity launching the Space Shuttle into orbit. In this episode, we explore Souther’s personal journey, the inspiration behind his writing, the lessons he believes younger generations should remember, and how preserving local stories and lived experiences helps communities maintain their identity and connection to the past.

To buy a copy of the book, click here https://www.amazon.com/dp/0980241502?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_ZX3WQW7FBC8XZ9KQEE87

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapA

Watch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomH

Audio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/

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