Douglas Rigney

Mr. Douglas “Doug” Rigney, former Executive Director for the Alabama Farmer Federation (ALFA), came out of retirement to serve as Deputy Commissioner. Having worked his way up the ranks with ALFA, Rigney’s experience and knowledge is a valuable asset for managing the staff and assisting Commissioner Sparks with day to day operations of the Department of Agriculture and Industries.

Mr. Rigney is a native of Millry, in Washington County, Alabama. He earned a degree from Auburn University in Agriculture Education. He currently serves on the board for Auburn University Ag Alumni and College of Agriculture, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the University of Mobile, and a board member of the FFA Foundation Board among numerous other agribusiness organizations.

Mr. Rigney is a member and serves as Chairman of the Deacons for the First Baptist Church of Alexander City, Alabama. He and his wife, Eva, have three children and six grandchildren.

Glen Zorn

Mr. Glen Zorn, a former Mayor of Florala, Alabama is an agribusiness veteran. His responsibility is to help keep us focused on agribusiness and keep farms viable. His expertise in rural development plays an important part for the Department as he builds relationships and works with the Alabama Development Office.

Mr. Zorn has a degree in Business Administration and Economics from the University of West Alabama and is a Certified Crop Advisor who served as an agricultural consultant and as district manager for Agrico Chemical Company. He was a director of the America Society of Agronomy’s Alabama Certified Crop Board in 2000 and a member of the Alabama Commission on Environmental Initiatives, along with many other positions in agriculture, business and the environment he has held.

Mr. Zorn and his wife, Mary Jane, have two children and two grandchildren.

Ronnie Murphy

Mr. Ronnie Murphy was raised on a family farm in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Deputy Commissioner Murphy has had over 30 year’s employment with the USDA and has been at the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries for 4 years. He earned his BS Degree in Agriculture from Auburn University and received an MPA Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University. He oversees all of the agricultural and agricultural support programs at the department.

Mr. Murphy is married to Peggy Faulkner of Oneonta, Alabama. They have two children: Charles, a Navy Fighter Pilot, and Felicia, Nurse in Cullman, Alabama.

Teresa Smiley

Ms. Teresa Smiley is a native of Blount county. She is the first black female Deputy Commissioner for the Food Safety & Consumer Division. She worked in the Blount County School system in Physical Education. She has a passion for singing which has allowed her to perform at the Baron's baseball, the Alabama State Rodeo and her greatest moment was getting to sing at the last June Jam with the reknowned group Alabama.

Ms. Smiley has received many awards for her service to the community, church and the Democratic Party. She been elected a delegate to four Democratic National Conventions and a member of the State Democratic Committee and the Alabama Democratic caucus. Ms. Smiley graduated from Wallace State Community College and UAB. She enjoys working with Commissioner Sparks in helping to promote agriculture and ensuring the health of Alabama's children.

Her family consists of her mother, one sister, one niece and brother-in-law. She also has many aunts and uncles who also enjoy farming.

Ray Hilburn

Mr. Ray Hilburn was born and raised on a farm in Luverne in Crenshaw County. He is still a partner with his four brothers in their family owned farm. Their farm includes the production of broilers, beef cattle, and hay.

Ray received a Bachelors of Science degree in Poultry Science from AuburnUniversityin 1978. Prior to his state employment, he worked with ConAgra Poultry of Enterprisefor 3 ½ years as Assistant Hatchery Manager, Broiler Serviceman, and Pullet/Breeder Serviceman.

Ray began his career with the Department of Agriculture and Industries in November 1981 with the responsibility of coordinating the National Poultry Improvement Plan throughout Alabama. In October 2001, he was named Poultry Programs Director and then in October 2005 was named Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. In 2005, Ray was recipient of the National Agricultural Alumni Development Association’s Volunteer Service Award.