County Commission | The Magazine October 2018 | Page 22

FROM THE COVER
participated in conferences and legislative efforts.
About four years ago, Vest was among the first
participants in the Association’s program for second-
term commissioners, PLAN (Passion – Leadership –
Accountability – Networking). He said he learned a great
deal from discussing county issues with colleagues from
around the state, and the program made an unexpected
impact on the county park in his district.
He had been working to improve Charles H.
Sparkman West Park since he came into office, and he
focused his “passion project” on additional upgrades.
Things were well underway when a motivational speaker
addressed PLAN.
“One of the things she emphasized was we might
be good communicators as far as speaking what was
on our mind to people, but sometimes we failed to be
good listeners,” Vest said. Shortly thereafter, a park
employee suggested adding an archery range. “I didn’t
know anything about archery, and I probably would have
just blown that off, but after that motivational speaker
encouraged us to listen, I said, ‘Let’s hear your idea.’”
He listened, researched the sport’s popularity and
visited competitions. Before long, Morgan County moved
forward with new facilities at the park, which now hosts
archery tournaments.
Vest said he had been encouraged for several years
to take on a greater role in ACCA, much like the
encouragement he had received to run for the county
commission. He faces no opposition in November for
election to a third term.
A life-long resident of Morgan County, Vest lettered
in three varsity sports in high school. There was the
possibility of a football scholarship from Mississippi State,
but he turned that down and, upon graduation, bought
partnership in the family business and married his high
school sweetheart. Today the Vests make their home
outside Hartselle.
When asked about life experiences that prepared
him for public service, Vest named gospel music, church
leadership roles and owning a successful small business.
The church and sacred music have helped him build
people skills. He was only 12 years old when he started
playing guitar in The Vest Quartet, his family’s Southern
gospel group that regularly performed in Alabama and
neighboring states. By about age 16, he was singing, too,
usually taking the bass part. He later performed in several
ensembles, including his own semi-professional group
called Heart to Heart.
“We would go to nursing homes and churches and
most any place where the door was open to us,” he recalled.
For about two decades, he and his wife were co-
22 | OCTOBER 2018
worship leaders in their home church. Along the way, he
became active in The Gideons International and served
as a certified lay speaker — or substitute preacher — for
Methodist churches throughout north Alabama.
Vest said his dad first encouraged him to run for
public office back in the late 1980s. “He just said with my
personality and the way I handled individuals and dealing
with the public and my business experience, he just felt
like it was something I would be good at,” Vest said.
For all his seriousness about important matters, Vest’s
quirky sense of humor emerges easily — and frequently
— during conversation. He describes the joy of watching
the family grow as the first grandson was born, followed
by a second grandson and a third and so on until there
were six boys ages 13 and under. But finally, a little
more than a year ago, a granddaughter was born. “We’re
thinking by the age of 3 she may learn to walk,” he said,
likely with a wide grin on his face. “Nobody’s put her
down long enough yet.”
Vest says when he first ran for public office, he told
voters, “I guess I’m just naïve enough to think I can make
a difference.” And his heart is in the same place as he
takes on responsibilities to help all 67 counties. “I still feel
that way. I just believe that if an individual so chooses,
that they can make a difference.” n
SCENIC
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