ALATA, Alabama’s professional association for athletic trainers, will be holding an election for two vacancies on the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers (ABAT), for positions held by licensed Athletic Trainers (AT). This licensing and regulatory agency (ABAT) for the State of Alabama is comprised of 9 members and an ex-officio member.  An election will be held in June for two AT vacancies on the ABAT effective January 1, 2024.

ABAT members serve a 4-year term and are allowed to serve three consecutive terms. Current Board members are the following:

•   Mr. Christopher King, Board Chairman (AT Member)                                  Term Expiring: 12/31/2023

•   Ms. Ciara L. Taylor, Board Vice Chair (AT Member)                                      Term Expiring: 12/31/2025

•   Ms. Lydia Thurston, Board Secretary (Licensed PT)              

  Term Expiring: 12/31/2025

•   Mr. S. Wesley Richardson, (AT Member)                                                       Term Expiring: 12/31/2023

•   Dr. James Robinson (Medical Association appointed member)                  Term Expiring: 12/31/2023

•   Dr. Eric Law (Medical Association appointed member)                                Term Expiring: 12/31/2024

•   Mr. Stephen Guthrie (AT Member)                                                              Term Expiring: 12/31/2024

•   Dr. Robert Agee (Medical Association appointed member)                         Term Expiring: 12/31/2026

•   Mr. Derick Bothwell (AT Member)                                                               Term Expiring: 12/31/2026

•   Mr. Kyle Southall, Ex-Officio Member (ALATA President)                           Term Expiring: 12/31/2026

In accordance with Section § 34-40-3 of the Code of Alabama 1975 (the portion of the Athletic Trainers Licensure Act, which stipulates Board composition by race and other factors), positions on the Board shall include three minority Athletic Trainers and one “Athletic Trainer who is also a licensed Physical Therapist.”   The two individuals serving on the Board, whose terms are expiring on December 31, 2023, are eligible to be nominated and serve another term. Any Athletic Trainer who is currently licensed in the State of Alabama has the right to nominate, attend and vote on the Board-member election.

To qualify for nomination, the AT must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the State and have acted as an Athletic Trainer for at least three years within Alabama immediately preceding appointment to the Board effective January 1, 2024.

All Athletic Trainers holding a current license shall have the right to attend this election meeting, nominate and vote for the Athletic Trainer licensees to serve on the Board in these two vacancies. If you are an Alabama-licensed Athletic Trainer and would like to nominate a qualified licensee for the upcoming positions, please email your nominations to the ALATA secretary at secretary@alathletictrainers.org.

•  Please provide the nominee’s full name and place of employment so that eligibility and acceptance of the nomination can be verified.

• Also include your full name and your Alabama (active) license number.

• Please email your nominations beginning immediately, and no later than May 15, 2023 to secretary@alathletictrainers.org.

• Nominations close at midnight on May 15, 2023.

• No nominations will be accepted once nominations close unless ALATA deems it necessary to  reopen due to lack of qualified nominees.

The position will be voted on during the in-person ALATA Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, June 3, 2023. at 6:15 PM, taking place at the Trussville Civic Center located at 5381 Trussville Clay Road, Trussville, AL 35173.   Eligible voters must be present to vote.

For more information, please contact secretary@alathletictrainers.org.