Staff

Jeanette Brabston

Jeanette Brabston serves as Administrative Assistant for Commissioner Jim Carns. Brabston’s primary responsibility is management of all activities required within Commissioner Carns’ areas of authority. In this role, Brabston acts as main correspondent with Jefferson County constituents, tracks issues associated with work of the departments under the Commissioner’s assigned authority, and represents the Commissioner at meetings when he is not available.

Prior to joining Commissioner Carns, Brabston graduated cum laude from Samford University with a degree in International Relations and a minor in Spanish. While at Samford, she was a member of the Samford Honors Program, inducted and elected Treasurer for Sigma Iota Rho, the International Relations Honors Society, and served as a member of the Student Government Association.

Brabston also studied abroad in Spain and Kenya and participated on mission trips to Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. After graduating, Brabston completed an internship with the Alabama Policy Institute where her main responsibilities included assisting with an educational resource tool, Facts on Fiction, planning the annual banquet, and researching various state political and social topics.

Brabston is a native of Fairhope, AL. As an accomplished violinist, Brabston played with the Samford Orchestra and currently can be seen playing around Birmingham with various bands. She is active in the community as a member of the Birmingham Rotaract Club and a Jr. Board Member for the Freshwater Land Trust.


Marvance Coody

Marvance Coody is Administrative Secretary for Commissioner Jim Carns. He is responsible for daily administration and operations of the district five office.

Before being appointed Administrative Secretary, Marvance was selected for the Spring 2008 intern position with Commissioner Jim Carns where he remained the district five intern until the Fall of 2009. The internship program is designed to give outstanding students, such as Coody, the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with local politics and government.

Recently, Marvance graduated cum laude from Miles College with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting. While at Miles, he served as Treasurer (07-08) and President (08-09) of the Gamma Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., which prides itself on academic excellence and community uplift. Marvance also assisted as a volunteer with the V.I.T.A. (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program during the 2008 and 2009 tax seasons at the Miles College site.

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Marvance relocated to Birmingham in 2003 to be closer to family, but will always be a huge University of Missouri fan (M-I-Z……Z-O-U!!!). Currently, Marvance is preparing to attend graduate school in Accounting, Business Administration, Corporate Law, or Governmental Law.