AL SJR108

Commends Michele Gerlach upon her election as President of the Alabama Press Association as the fifth woman to hold the office in the association's 145-year history.

Gerlach earned degrees from the University of Alabama and Troy University, and was named Outstanding Alumni in Journalism by the University of Alabama School of Communications in 2009.

Gerlach is a vice president and group manager with Boone Newspapers, Inc., and has served as reporter, managing editor, and publisher of multiple newspapers including the Andalusia Star-News.

Gerlach serves on the Women's Advisory Board of the Andalusia Regional Hospital, the Andalusia High School Class of 1948 Scholarship Foundation Board, and the Andalusia Ballet Board, and previously served as president of the Andalusia Rotary Club.

Gerlach is the fourth generation of her family to work in community newspapers; her father also served as President of the Alabama Press Association.