Full Name:
John Harold Merrill
Gender:
Male
Family:
Wife: Cindy; 2 Children: Brooks, Allie
Birth Date:
11/12/1963
Birth Place:
Wedowee, AL
Home City:
Tuscaloosa, AL
Religion:
Baptist
BA, History/Political Science, University of Alabama, 1982-1987
Secretary of State, State of Alabama, 2015-2023
Candidate, Alabama Secretary of State, 2018
Representative, Alabama State House of Representatives, District 62, 2010-2014
Former Member, Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee, Alabama State House of Representatives
Former Member, Economic Development and Tourism Committee, Alabama State House of Representatives
Former Member, Rules Committee, Alabama State House of Representatives
Former Member, Subcommittee on Consent Calendars, Alabama State House of Representatives
Former Member, Subcommittee on Constitutional Issues, Alabama State House of Representatives
Former Member, Subcommittee on Economic Development and Incentives, Alabama State House of Representatives
Former Member, Tuscaloosa County Legislation Committee, Alabama State House of Representatives
Business Development Officer, First Federal Bank of Tuscaloosa, 2011-2015
Director, Community Relations and Community Education, Tuscaloosa County Board of Education, 1994-2010
Director of Business Development, The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, 1993-1994
Assistant Director, The Tuscaloosa County Industrial Authority, 1990-1993
National Account Executive, Randall Publishing Company, 1988-1990
Governmental Affairs Intern, The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, 1987-1988
Chair, The Children's Trust Fund, Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, 2010-present
Member, Executive Committee, Alabama Republican Party, 2009-present
Southeast Vice President, National School Public Relations Association, 2009-present
Member, Alabama Education Association, 2000-present
Member, National Education Association (NEA), 2000-present
Member, Tuscaloosa County Education Association, 2000-present
Member, Alabama Community Education Association, 1995-present
Deacon/Member, Calvary Baptist Church, present
Member, National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), present
Member, Republican Association of Secretaries of State, present
Member, Southern Legislative Conference, present
Representative, Steering Committee, National Voter Registration Day, present
Member, United States Election Assistance Commission Standards Board, present
Co-Chair, Voter Participation Committee, National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), present
Member, Alabama Constables Association
Former President, Alumni Association, Leadership Tuscaloosa
Former President, American Red Cross
Member, Athletic Boosters Club, Hillcrest High School
Member, Big Brothers, Big Sisters
Member, Board of Directors, Children First
Member, Board of Directors, Friends of the Alabama Achieves
Member, Board of Directors, Youth in Government, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), Alabama
Member, Boys and Girls Club
Sunday School Teacher/Choir Member, Calvary Baptist Church
Member, Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
Former President, Druid Civitan Club
Board Member, Friends of the Alabama Archives
Member, Leadership Tuscaloosa
Member, March of Dimes
Former Member, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
Member, National Rifle Association (NRA)
Former Member, Sanctuary Choice, Calvary Baptist Church
Member, Selection Committee, Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
Former President, United Cerebral Palsy of West Alabama
Member, United Way of West Alabama
Member, West Alabama Literacy Council
Member, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA)
Former President, Youth for Christ
Participant, Henry Toll Fellowship Leadership Program, Council of State Government, 2015
Participant, Early Learning Fellows, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), 2011
President, Alabama School Communicator's Association, 2000-2001, 2009
Chair, Tuscaloosa County Grand Old Party (GOP), Alabama Republican Party, 2009
Member, Tuscaloosa County Schools Audit Education Advisory Council, 1995-2002
Member, National Community Education Association, 1995-2000
Member, Tuscaloosa County Schools Drug Free Schools Advisory Council, 1991-1994
Member, Tuscaloosa County Schools Vocational Advisory Council, 1993-1994
Member, Tuscaloosa Solid Waste Disposal Authority Advisory Board, 1990-1991
Awards:
Legislator of the Year, Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments; Community Partnership Award, WVUA Channel 7, 2005, 2007; Outstanding Young Men of America Award, 1985, 1987; Leadership Award, Literacy Council of West Alabama, 2009; Initial Class, Heflin Star, City of Heflin, Alabama, 2010; Golden Apple Award, Tuscaloosa Business & Professional Women, 2007; Certificate of Honor, Moody Bible Institute, 2005; Silver Beaver Award, Black Warrior Council, Boy Scouts of America, 2014; Alabama House Legislator of the Year, Children's Trust Fund, 2012; Axe Award, Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments, 2011; Rising Republican Star, Alabama Republican Party; Early Learning Fellow, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), 2011; Communicator of the Year, Alabama School Communicators Association, 2005; Outstanding Benefactor, Alabama Community Education Association, 2008; Child Advocate of the Year, Early Intervention and Preschool Conference, 2013; Outstanding Legislator, Alabama Association of Rescue Squads, 2013; Outstanding Elected Official, Soil and Water Conservation District Area III, 2013; All-Star Award for Excellence in Caring for Veterans, Tuscaloosa, 2012
Spouse's Occupation:
Principal at Westwood Elementary School