Ken Simon

Simon will serve a state-at-large appointment on the USA Board, filling a vacancy created by the death of J.L. Chestnut, Jr., whose term was to end in September 2013.

“I am pleased to appoint Kenneth Simon to the University of South Alabama Board of Trustees,” Gov. Riley said. “I know Ken will add a tremendous amount of value to the Board and serve the USA family with distinction.”

USA President Gordon Moulton said he welcomed the appointment of such a distinguished alumnus.

“Ken Simon established himself as a leader on the University of South Alabama campus, serving in many roles including Student Government Association president, and went on to become a leader in the legal profession, serving as an attorney and judge,” Moulton said.  “He is an active USA alumnus, and we look forward to having his wise counsel as a member of the Board of Trustees.”

A native of Mobile, Ala., Simon is currently a partner in the Birmingham law firm Christian & Small, LLP.  He practiced law in Mobile for several years, and in Washington, D.C., was an assistant director of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Enforcement Division.  He served as a Circuit Judge in Jefferson County, Ala., from 1992 to 1996, where he presided over more than 100 jury trials and many non-jury civil cases. 

The new trustee has 27 years experience as a judge and trial attorney.  As a lawyer he primarily handles civil litigation and has mediated several hundred cases in a mediation practice grounded in his extensive litigation and judicial experience.  In June 2000, President Clinton nominated him to be a federal district judge for the Northern District of Alabama.

“This appointment is important to me on many levels,” Simon said.  “I spent four of the most important formative years of my life at USA.  It introduced me to the world of ideas, to leadership, to achievement at a high level, and opened many doors for me.

“I am humbled and gratified now to contribute to USA in a way that I never expected,” he said.

Simon received his bachelor’s degree in history from USA in 1976 and his law degree from the University of Alabama in 1979.

At USA, Simon was very active as an undergraduate, serving as Student Government Association president and a member of both the Mortar Board and varsity debate team.  In 2007, he received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University, which is the USA National Alumni Association’s most prestigious alumni honor. 

USA’s Board of Trustees has 17 members, including the governor and the state superintendent of education serving as ex-officio members.  A regular term on the USA board is 12 years.