Lynne Berry is serving as chairperson of Alabama Humanities Foundation. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – A Huntsville executive has been elected to chair the Alabama Humanities Foundations board.

Lynne Berry, Vice President of Advancement for HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, is the foundation’s new chair.

A native of Huntsville, Berry graduated from Lee High School and Vanderbilt University. She was founding executive director of Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County.

She has served in offices of former U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer and Sen. Jeff Sessions. Berry has taught in high school, headed a NASA department and promoted Huntsville’s tourist attractions and preservation of historic sites and natural resources.

In addition, Berry serves on boards of directors for Leadership Alabama, Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama and Bryant-Jordan Scholarship Program.

“I look forward to serving as the board chair in 2016 for the Alabama Humanities Foundation,” Berry said. “The humanities enrich and illuminate our lives, especially the history and literature of the state of Alabama.”

“I’m excited about working to ensure that all citizens of Alabama have access to meaningful humanities-based programs (that the foundation) offers,” Berry said.

“We’re fortunate to have someone of Lynne’s caliber to lead our board in the coming year,” foundation executive director Armand DeKeyser said.

The foundation also named five new board members:

* Dr. Carmen Burkhalter, Dean of Arts and Sciences at University of North Alabama.

* Dr. Kern Michael Jackson, director of African-American Studies and distinguished tenured faculty member in Department of English at University of South Alabama.

* Dr. Michael Burger, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences and history professor at Auburn University-Montgomery.

* Dr. Daniel C. Potts, neurologist and co-author of “A Pocket Guide for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver.”

* Trey Granger, Chief Deputy Clerk of U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama.

“This is an impressive class of leaders,” DeKeyser said. “It’s an honor to be able work with them all this year as we continue to promote and advocate for the humanities in every corner of Alabama.”

Alabama Humanities Foundation fosters learning, understanding and appreciation of the state’s people, communities and cultures. For more information, visit alabamahumanities.org.