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Breakfast with the Mayors

Hosted by Emerging Leaders United

Start your morning with meaningful conversation and community connection at Breakfast with the Mayors, hosted by Emerging Leaders United. This unique event brings together local leaders and engaged citizens for an open, informative dialogue over breakfast. Hear directly from Mayor Skip Henderson (Columbus, GA), Mayor Eddie Lowe (Phenix City, AL), and Mayor Rick Cooley (Smiths Station, AL) as they share updates, insights, and plans for our region’s future.

Georgia House Representative Teddy Reese (District 140) will moderate the discussion, guiding a Q&A session informed by the community. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions during registration to be addressed by city leadership.

Seats are limited — Reserve yours today and be part of the conversation.

Register Today

Join the conversation shaping the future of our region

Friday, May 16, 2025, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM ET

B.Merrell’s: 7600 Veterans Pkwy, Columbus, GA 31909

Your voice Matters

Register Today

Name(Required)
All questions will remain anonymous.
Price: $10.00

Meet the Panel

Mayor Rick Cooley

City of Smiths Station, Alabama
Panelist

Mayor Skip Henderson

City of Columbus, Georgia
Panelist

Mayor Eddie Lowe

City of Phenix City, Alabama
Panelist

Representative Teddy Reese

District 140, Georgia House of Representatives
Moderator

Mayor Rick Cooley

Richard has called Smiths Station home for over 60 years and is a 1965 Smiths Station High School graduate. He later joined the U.S. Air Force and served a tour in Vietnam. With degrees from Auburn and Troy universities,
 
Richard spent 40 years in education as a teacher, assistant principal, principal Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent. He also serves as President of the Tan Son Nhut Association, a nationwide veteran’s organization.
 
He was one of the leaders of Smiths Station’s incorporation efforts and has served on the Smiths Station City Council since 2004.

Mayor Skip Henderson

Skip was born in Columbus, Georgia and graduated from Columbus High School, attended University of Georgia and Columbus College. He gained invaluable experience working for his father’s real estate business before taking on the role of Team Leader at Keller-Williams Realty.

The Mayor is the son of Army veteran, Berry Henderson. Skip has been married to Karon for over 36 years and together, they have raised their 2 children here.

Mayor Henderson served as Post 10 City Councilman for over two decades, including 9 years as chair of the budget committee. He has been active in the community serving as chair of vital organizations such as the Better Business Bureau, March of Dimes, and the Kiwanis Club and other boards and authorities. Skip and his wife, Karon, serve together on the Leadership Council for the American Cancer Society.

Leading with a progressive agenda, the Mayor’s commitment to improving the City of Columbus is unwavering; and moving forward, he hopes to continue using his experience, perseverance, and passion to serve our community full-time as Mayor.

Mayor Eddie Lowe

The Honorable Eddie Lowe was born in Columbus, Georgia. He is a native of Phenix City, Alabama, the son of the late James and the late Betty Lowe. He has two brothers, the late Dr. James Lowe and Woodrow Lowe. He has three sisters Betty Lowe, Helen Thibodeaux, and Judy Fontenette.

He is a 1978 Central High School graduate. He continued his development by attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for one year, but had a burning desire to attend The University of Alabama. Therefore, he walked on and received a scholarship his first year and continued to play under the leadership of the late Paul (Bear) Bryant, where he developed the core of his lessons for a positive focus and view for living. While at The University of Alabama, he earned a degree in Finance which led him into the banking industry.

The Honorable Eddie Lowe has a great history in the football world after playing for the legendary Paul (Bear) Bryant. He went on to play professional football with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League. He successfully played for nine years. In 1994, he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Plaza of Honor.
After all the fun of football, it was time to come home. He had worked at F & M Bank during school breaks in summers and holidays. He is currently the Senior Vice President of CB&T of East Alabama, and is responsible for the operations of all branches.

Mayor Lowe is married to Deborah Robinson Lowe, who is employed with the Phenix City Board of Education. This union is blessed with three lovely children; Tomi, who is also in the field of education and employed with the Phenix City Board of Education, Jonathan, who followed in his dad’s footsteps and played with the Tampa Storms, and Destinee, who graduated from Columbus State University majoring in elementary education. He also has three lovely grandchildren Jadan, Jasaad and Janoah
Lowe.

The Honorable Mayor Lowe is a very active citizen in our community. He is the Chaplain and Volunteer Coach for Central, active in United Way, on numerous boards, and served for over twelve years on the Phenix City Board of Education. He was elected Mayor of Phenix City on August 28, 2012.

Representative Teddy Reese

Tremaine “Teddy” Reese was born and raised in the very small town of Gordon, Georgia, and became the first in his family to attend a college or university. He currently resides in Columbus, Georgia where he works closely with the local community on a range of boards and grassroots projects. He is a Life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Albany State University National Alumni Association. He currently serves on the Planning Advisory Council for the City of Columbus and formerly served as the Chair of the Annual Black History Month Observance Breakfast Committee.
 
In 2003, Teddy graduated from Albany State University with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. He later graduated with a Master in Public Administration from Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, Georgia in 2005 and in May 2012 he graduated Cum Laude from Florida A&M University College of Law.
 
While at Albany State University, Teddy served as Student Government Association President for two consecutive terms (2001-2002, 2002-2003) and also served as Vice President of the Delta Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is proud and honored to have served as the American Bar Association Law Student Division National Chair for the 2011-2012 year, the Student Bar Association President at Florida A&M University College of Law for the 2011-2012 year and as a Staff Editor on the Florida A&M University College of Law, Law Review.
​
Some of his previous employers include GEICO Corporate, Wilkinson County, Georgia, and the City of Atlanta. While working with the Georgia Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Teddy served as a Staff Attorney and Director of Community Engagement from 2013 to 2017 and later worked with The Wright Legal Group as a Senior Attorney from 2017-2018. He is now the principal owner and managing attorney of The Reese Firm, LLC.
 
In 2014 he was named to Columbus and the Valley Magazine, Top 5 Under 40 Young Professionals, Rural Leader Magazine, Top Professional Under 40 for 2016 and Georgia Trend Magazine 2016 Top 40 Under 40. He also graduated with the 2014 Class of Young Game Changers through Georgia Forward and with the Leadership Georgia Class of 2015.
 
He enjoys volunteering and working for the betterment of others, fishing, traveling, reading and playing softball. Mr. Reese is married to Dr. Chasity Reese, who is a Family Medicine Physician with Piedmont Physicians at Northside, and they have one daughter, Catherine Louise Reese.

Connect with Us

1005 Front Avenue Columbus, GA 31901
PO Box 1157 Columbus, GA 31902
706-327-3255 (Phone) 678-619-0387 (Fax)
EWELLS@UNITEDCV.ORG (EMAIL)
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