Early Life and Education
Source-published biographyBorn and raised in the small town of Thomasville, Alabama, Wayne Rogers spent most of his formative years living in a single-wide trailer next door to his grandparents. His grandmother, Velma Dement, was an avid reader of the Montgomery Advertiser and played a pivotal role in sparking his early interest in Alabama politics.
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Born and raised in the small town of Thomasville, Alabama, Wayne Rogers spent most of his formative years living in a single-wide trailer next door to his grandparents. His grandmother, Velma Dement, was an avid reader of the Montgomery Advertiser and played a pivotal role in sparking his early interest in Alabama politics.
Early Life and Education
Source-published biographyHe graduated as Salutatorian of the Thomasville High School Class of 1980. Just days after graduation, he experienced a life-altering event when a gun was held to his head during a bank robbery in Fulton, Alabama. That fall, he became the first member of his family to attend college, enrolling at Samford University.
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He graduated as Salutatorian of the Thomasville High School Class of 1980. Just days after graduation, he experienced a life-altering event when a gun was held to his head during a bank robbery in Fulton, Alabama. That fall, he became the first member of his family to attend college, enrolling at Samford University.
Early Life and Education
Source-published biographyAt Samford, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music, graduating magna cum laude in 1984. During college, he testified in federal court in Mobile against one of the bank robbery defendants—an experience that helped shape his decision to pursue a legal career. He enrolled in the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1988. He completed a judicial clerkship at the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals the following year.
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At Samford, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music, graduating magna cum laude in 1984. During college, he testified in federal court in Mobile against one of the bank robbery defendants—an experience that helped shape his decision to pursue a legal career. He enrolled in the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1988. He completed a judicial clerkship at the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals the following year.
Legal Career
Source-published biographyFrom 1989 to 1995, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney, where he had the unique experience of working alongside some of the individuals who had prosecuted the bank robbery case from his youth. During this time, he met many people who would later influence his political views and values.
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From 1989 to 1995, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney, where he had the unique experience of working alongside some of the individuals who had prosecuted the bank robbery case from his youth. During this time, he met many people who would later influence his political views and values.
Political Involvement and Advocacy
Source-published biographyUpon retiring from Travelers in 2016, he joined DeGaris & Rogers, LLC—a firm co-founded with his best friend from law school. This career change allowed him to dive more deeply into both local and national politics.
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Upon retiring from Travelers in 2016, he joined DeGaris & Rogers, LLC—a firm co-founded with his best friend from law school. This career change allowed him to dive more deeply into both local and national politics.
Political Involvement and Advocacy
Source-published biographyHe has trained over 1,000 law enforcement officers in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) practices and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the JBS Mental Health Authority under appointment by the Jefferson County Commission. Since January 2023, he has served on the national Board of Directors for Crisis Intervention Teams International (CITI), the world’s largest organization dedicated to CIT training for law enforcement.
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He has trained over 1,000 law enforcement officers in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) practices and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the JBS Mental Health Authority under appointment by the Jefferson County Commission. Since January 2023, he has served on the national Board of Directors for Crisis Intervention Teams International (CITI), the world’s largest organization dedicated to CIT training for law enforcement.
Private-sector legal work
Source-published biographyIn 1995, he transitioned to the private sector, becoming Managing Counsel for the Travelers Insurance Company Staff Counsel Office for the State of Alabama.
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In 1995, he transitioned to the private sector, becoming Managing Counsel for the Travelers Insurance Company Staff Counsel Office for the State of Alabama.
Crisis-care advocacy
Source-published biographyRogers played a key role in establishing the Craig Crisis Care Center in Birmingham in 2023, a facility that diverts individuals with mental illness and addiction issues away from jail and into crisis care.
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Rogers played a key role in establishing the Craig Crisis Care Center in Birmingham in 2023, a facility that diverts individuals with mental illness and addiction issues away from jail and into crisis care.
Grant oversight and violence-prevention work
Source-published biographyIn addition to his CIT work, he oversees grants, jail contract administration, and domestic violence prevention efforts in partnership with OnePlace of Birmingham.
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In addition to his CIT work, he oversees grants, jail contract administration, and domestic violence prevention efforts in partnership with OnePlace of Birmingham.
County Democratic committee service
Source-published biographyIn 2021, he was elected Chair of the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee.
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In 2021, he was elected Chair of the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee.
