Board of Trustees

Brian Sweeney offers leadership and strategic insight drawn from his extensive military background. Graduating from the Academy in 1983 and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army Special Forces in 2012, his commitment to military principles is unwavering. Additionally, his academic journey, encompassing degrees in political science, geography, defense analysis, and geographic information sciences from the University of Kentucky and Penn State, underscores his pursuit of knowledge. 

Furthermore, Brian’s career trajectory, from military service to directing a Consulting Firm specializing in International Affairs and Foreign Policy, showcases his versatile skill set. His expertise in information technology, data analytics, and international security equips him to tackle complex challenges facing the Academy. With a track record of advising senior leaders and fostering innovation, Brian ensures the Academy remains agile and responsive to evolving educational needs and global trends, shaping its future towards excellence and distinction.

Mr. Peebles’ youngest son, Garrett, is a 2022 graduate of Southern Prep. As a former parent joining the Board of Trustees, Mr. Peebles brings a unique and valuable perspective to the leadership team. Mr. Peebles has built a successful career as a lawyer. His practice, Peebles Law Firm, is well respected. His legal expertise will greatly benefit Southern Prep, especially in regard to matters related to contracts, compliance, and policy development. 

Colonel (Retired) Douglas D. DeMaio dedicated over three decades to the US Air Force, serving from May 1991 to May 2023. His roles ranged from commanding the 55th Fighter Squadron at Shaw AFB to leading the NATO Deployable Air Operations Center in Italy. He commanded the 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field, Alabama, overseeing 1,400 personnel and 22 F-16 aircraft. Col DeMaio logged over 2,800 flight hours in the F-16 and completed five combat deployments in Southwest Asia. His contributions to military doctrine include coauthoring Joint All-Domain Operations and Counterspace Doctrine. Col DeMaio received numerous awards, including the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. He is married to his wife, Bobbie, and they have two children, Tori and David.

Allison Driggers joined the Southern Preparatory Academy Board of Trustees in 2025. A longtime supporter of the Academy, she first became involved when her son, Rhett, enrolled in 2019. 

Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Allison has built a successful career in the travel and tourism industry, beginning in 1990 and including two decades as a flight attendant before retiring in 2005. She is the owner of Allison’s Getaways, a vacation rental company with properties in Charleston and The Abacos, Bahamas.

In addition to her business ventures, Allison has experience managing political fundraising and community engagement campaigns in Charleston. She and her husband, Johnny have two children—Rhett and Ryleigh. Their daughter attends an all-girls school in Charleston, and Rhett, who graduated from Southern Prep in 2025, attends Brevard College in North Carolina. 

Allison brings to the Board a strong commitment to education, leadership, and community service, along with a deep connection to the Southern Prep mission.

Eric Fuller, a proud alumnus of LWMA (1971–1975) and former Company Commander, brings decades of expertise in the lumber and building products industry. After attending Wallace Community College (1975–1978), he began his career with Lowe’s in warehouse management before moving into sales, serving as Regional Territory Sales Manager for Huttig Sash & Door in southeast Texas. He returned to Lowe’s in 1983, later joining Banner Builders Supply and then Wholesale Wood Products, managing key accounts across southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Since 2007, Eric has been with Lakeside Lumber Co. in Eufaula, AL, developing and maintaining business throughout the eastern and southern U.S. His extensive experience spans manufacturing, distribution, purchasing, inventory management, product development, project management, and supply chain logistics, with a focus on B2B sales of lumber and renewable building products.

Eric joined the Board of Trustees in 2025 and serves as Vice President of the Alumni Association. As an alum, he brings a unique perspective to the board and is deeply committed to the mission of the Academy.

Al Hovey, a native of Lee County, AL, earned B.S. and M.Ed. degrees from Auburn University. He joined the Academy’s faculty as a young science instructor in 1966. He was appointed Academic Dean by former President COL Wesley P. Smith in 1972, vice president in 1984, and then president in 1989. A respected educator throughout the state of Alabama, COL Hovey was instrumental in the Academy’s securing its initial accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in 197. He has since served on SACS evaluation teams throughout the region. COL Hovey worked tirelessly to improve academic standards at the Academy, putting together a highly qualified faculty and staff and achieving the highest ACT scores in the school’s history under his watch. COL Hovey and his wife Ann, who live in Camp Hill, are the parents of a son and a daughter, as well as grandparents to six grandchildren. COL Hovey’s son, Paul, graduated from LWMA in the Class of ’85. COL Hovey has been very popular with faculty, staff, parents, and cadets, and is pleased to remain on as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Fred Hutcherson, a native of Tallapoosa County, AL, began his law enforcement career in 1995 and currently serves as a state investigator. He is trained in special tactics, as well as dignitary protection. In addition to his investigative work, Fred is active in community outreach, working with students in local schools. He coached youth football for 10 years and now serves on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes team at Dadeville High School. He also served in the Army as a military police officer during the Iraq War and was awarded the Combat Action Badge. From 2020 to 2021, he served as a TAC officer for the middle school cadets in the Corps at Southern Preparatory Academy.

Fred holds a Bachelor of Bible Exposition from Andersonville Theological Seminary and is the pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Dadeville. He and his wife, Andrea, live in Camp Hill and are the proud parents of three sons and one daughter, as well as the grandparents of three grandchildren. Fred is honored to be a member of the Board of Trustees.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Attended the academy for five consecutive years and graduated with the Class of 1982 as Salutatorian and Battalion Commander. He attended Inter American University in San Juan with a concentration in Marketing. Jose has been a Herff Jones sales rep since 1991 and has been with BSN Sports since 2014. Jose has owned Graduation Supplies Inc. since 2000.

John Sophocleus joined the Board of Trustees in 2025, bringing a wealth of experience in economics, education, and public policy. He began his career at Ford Motor Company as a Warranty & Policy Administrator, where a decade of industry experience laid the groundwork for a distinguished academic path.

Beginning in 1989 at Clemson University and continuing at Auburn University from 1992 until his retirement in 2019, Instructor Sophocleus earned recognition among the top 2% of college instructors in Who’s Who Among American Teachers. He has also served as adjunct faculty for the Mises Institute, where he lectures on U.S. tariff history, and has taught at institutions ranging from the Air War College’s International Officer School at Maxwell AFB to Alabama’s prison education programs.

An accomplished economist, his work has been published in respected journals such as the Quarterly Journal of Economics and Public Choice. Since 2009, he has written regularly for the Alabama Gazette. His research primarily explores how resources are allocated between productive economic activity and redistribution in the U.S.