Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Legislature

Reed announces departure of longtime chief of staff, names replacement

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed’s longtime chief of staff, Derek Trotter, is stepping down.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

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.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

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

He will begin his new role on August 28. 

The Alabama Political Reporter is a daily political news site devoted to Alabama politics. We provide accurate, reliable coverage of policy, elections and government.

More from APR

Congress

Britt spoke about joining her colleague Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, in introducing the "Stop the Scroll Act."

Congress

This move marks another instance of Tuberville's controversial interference with military promotions.

Elections

Ainsworth a lock? Tuberville running for governor? A darkhorse candidate? Campaign experts sort through the way-too-early 2026 talk.

Congress

The conversation will focus on the small business ecosystem and the state's economic future.