MONTGOMERY — Ronnie Owens, former president of the Alabama Association of School Boards (AASB) and president of the Lauderdale County Board of Education, was inducted into Troy University’s Alabama Educational Leadership Hall of Fame on September 11, 2026. Mr. Owens was among three distinguished education leaders selected for induction into the Class of 2026.
The Educational Leadership Hall of Fame, established in 1982, is a cooperative effort of Troy University, AASB and the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools that recognizes individuals whose long-term leadership has made a significant impact on education in Alabama.
Owens has served on the Lauderdale County school board since 2014 and currently serves as board president. Within AASB, he has held numerous leadership roles, including District 8 director from 2017 to 2020, president-elect and AASB president, to which he was installed in December 2021, before remaining on the AASB Board of Directors as immediate past president. He has been active on AASB’s Resolutions, Board Training Advisory, Advocacy, Multicultural and Federal Relations Network committees and has achieved Master Honor Roll status in AASB’s School Board Member Academy with more than 500 training hours. In 2024, he received the coveted All-State School Board Member Award.
“Education has been my life’s work,” said Ronnie Owens. “I owe so much to so many and this recognition belongs just as much to the students, teachers, fellow board members, parents, and communities I’ve had the privilege of serving with. I’m deeply grateful to be inducted into this Hall of Fame. It’s one of the greatest honors of my professional career. It’s been my pleasure to stand alongside so many educational giants who have made impacts on Alabama’s public education system.”
A retired teacher with more than 40 years in the education profession, Owens also served as president of the Rogersville Chamber of Commerce from 2016-17. He is an alumnus of Troy State, the University of North Alabama and Mississippi State University, where he completed 60 hours of doctoral coursework in educational leadership.
Dr. Chad Holden, executive director of AASB, praised Owens’ induction, commenting that “Ronnie Owens has devoted decades of service to public education in Alabama, and his leadership has left a lasting mark on the students, families and school board members he has served. His commitment to sound governance and student success embodies exactly what this honor was created to celebrate across our state.”
Owens joins a distinguished group of Alabama education leaders honored since the Hall of Fame’s first induction ceremony in April 1982. Former honorees include local school board members, superintendents and former executive directors of the Alabama Association of School Boards. Ronnie Owens’ new portrait, which was unveiled during the induction ceremony, will hang among former recipients in Hawkins Hall, home to Troy University’s College of Education.
Media Release/Rebecca Thomas/Alabama Association of School Boards
