Reed announces departure of longtime chief of staff, names replacement

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed on Wednesday announced the departure of his Chief of Staff, Derek Trotter. 

Trotter served in the post for five regular sessions and six special sessions. He assisted Reed in the day-to-day management of Senate floor operations and executed legislative strategy for the President Pro Tem and members of the Senate on numerous policy and procedural matters.  

Hired by then-President Pro Tem Del Marsh and Majority Leader Reed, Trotter oversaw the mid-term leadership transition that resulted in Reed’s unanimous election and re-election to the Senate’s top post.  

“I am very grateful to Derek for his service to the Alabama Senate,” Reed said. “He has led a top-notch team with professionalism and skill and served as a key advisor and confidant to me. I wish nothing but the best for him and his family in the future.”

Trotter will be replaced by Tim Howe, who most recently served as Vice President of Public Finance at Stifel in Montgomery. 

Howe is a veteran political and government relations consultant, a former owner of Yellowhammer Multimedia and former Executive Director of the Alabama Republican Party. 

“I am excited to announce Tim Howe as my next Chief of Staff,” Reed said. “Having worked with him since he was Executive Director of the Alabama Republican Party, I can say without question that his work ethic and experience make him uniquely qualified for this role as we continue serving members of the Alabama Senate and the people of our great state.”

Howe is a graduate of Clemson University and Cumberland School of Law. 

He will begin his new role on August 28.