Mayor and Town Council
Mayor ~ Karen Vest
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Karen A. Vest was elected to the town council in 2020 and was appointed Mayor in April 2024. She ran unopposed in 2025 and is now serving her second term as Mayor. She and her husband Charley moved to Valley Head in 2016. They have 5 children and 9 beautiful grandchildren. Karen was born in Dayton, Ohio but has called Alabama home since 1994. She presently serves as a Board member of MERF, which supports the art department at Valley Head School. She has also volunteered and served as president to various organizations over the years such as Kiwanis, The American Red Cross, The American Heart Association, numerous garden clubs and art associations. She also served as Director of Region 1 of the Alabama Association of Paralegals. Karen graduated from college with honors with a business degree and enjoyed a Certified Paralegal career with several Birmingham firms for over 25 years. She loves to garden, run in 5k races, spend precious time with her grandchildren, and take care of all the animals on their farm.
Councilman ~ Easton Bailey
Easton was born and raised in DeKalb County, AL. He graduated from Plainview High School in 2000. He is a proud Conservative Christian and considers it a great privilege to serve the Town of Valley Head. Easton and his beautiful wife, Anna, have two sons, Ethan and Mayson. He enjoys his time away his full-time job by being outdoors hunting, fishing, golfing and snowboarding. Easton was appointed to the council in April 2024 and ran unopposed in the August 2025 election.​
Councilman ~ Nathan Owen
Nathan was born and raised in Mentone, AL. He attended Moon Lake Elementary School and went on to Valley Head High School. Nathan and his lovely wife, Holly, have lived in Valley Head for over 23 years. They are the proud parents of three of the best beagles you will ever meet. Nathan built his construction company, Nathan Owen Construction, from the ground up to the thriving business it is today. He prides himself on service and quality of craftmanship, which has led to many happy and repeat clients. In Nathan's "spare" time he enjoys hunting, fishing, cornhole, playtime with his beagles, and just being outdoors. Nathan was appointed to the town council in January 2025. He ran unopposed in the August 2025 election. Nathan is excited to serve on the Town of Valley Head town council and sees a bright future for his hometown.
Councilman ~ John Chambers
John and his wife Jennifer share 7 amazing children and 6 grandchildren. He grew up in the Mentone and Valley Head area and graduated from Valley Head High School. When he is not working as a boilermaker, John enjoys spending time on the golf course and being with his family. He is a life-time member of the North AL Lookout Mountain Fire Protection District. John ran unopposed for town council in August and was sworn in in November 2025.
Councilman ~ Scott Pepper
Scott and his wife Brittney have 2 sons and 3 daughters. When he is not on shift as a Paramedic with DeKalb Ambulance Services (DAS) or on duty as Deputy Coroner for DeKalb County, Scott enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his family. He loves taking his family out on their boat during the summer and fishing. His favorite hobby is watching his children play sports. He is an avid drone expert and web designer. Scott was elected to the council in August 2025.
Councilman ~ Lyndall Elkins
Lyndall Elkins has been a proud resident of Valley Head since 2006. He graduated from Valley Head High School in 1996. Lyndall shares his life with his beloved wife, Jennifer Elkins. They have 5 children and 9 beautiful grandchildren. Lyndall and Jennifer have also contributed to the vibrant and close-knit atmosphere that defines Valley Head. Lyndall has coached the Valley Head Jr. High School girls basketball team for over two years. Lyndall was appointed to the council in October, 2023 and ran unopposed in the 2025 election.
Town Clerk ~ Lora Wooten
Lora Wooten has been Clerk at the Town of Valley Head since May 2023. She came to Valley Head after a very successful 23-year career in the banking industry, mostly in Fort Payne, Alabama. Lora has 5 children and 5 beautiful grandchildren. She loves spending time with her grandchildren. She also loves attending her grandchildren's sporting events. Lora also loves to cook and bake. Mexican food is her favorite meal to prepare. She also loves to attend church and visit area churches. She is an avid hiker, loves to travel to new destinations, and she also loves to garden. Lora loves small towns and is very pleased to be a part of Valley Head and its community.
Police Department
Police Chief ~ Brad Gregg
Brad Gregg joined the Valley Head Police Department in May 2022 and was appointed Chief of Police in October 2022. Brad began his law enforcement career at the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office under Sheriff Cecil Reed. He has served as Police Chief for the Towns of Sylvania and Mentone, Chief Deputy at the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, and District Attorney's Investigator. He is married to Amber and has a son, John Riley. Brad is a graduate of Sylvania High School, Auburn University, and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Academy. He is also a Certified Law Enforcement Executive through the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police. Brad is very grateful to be here and excited to be a part of this community. He loves the town and the people that make it what it is.
Assistant Police Chief ~ Jimmy L. Phillips
Jimmy L. Phillips graduated from Valley Head School in 1967. Married to Adele Bell Phillips and have three children. He served in US Navy from 1968-1971. He is retired from Dekalb County Sheriff's Department serving 27 years as an investigator. He has 43 years of experience in law enforcement. He was hired by Valley Head on December 4, 2018, and is now a Certified Chief and Certified Law Enforcement Executive by the state of Alabama, as of August 1, 2019. He is proud to serve Valley Head where he lives and loves. He is dedicated to being the best for his Town and Community.
Fire Department
For over sixty-four years, the Valley Head Fire Department has been providing fire protection, emergency rescue, and public service to the citizens, businesses, and tourists in the Valley Head and surrounding areas. We are constantly striving to ensure that our volunteer personnel, our training, and our equipment will meet any challenge we face. In addition to our traditional jobs of fire suppression, in the last few years, we have worked to provide vehicle extraction (Jaws of Life, Hurst tools, and other rescue equipment technique), thermal imaging, first responder emergency services, and answer/respond to disaster situations. We take pride in maintaining the level of service that we offer to Valley Head and the surrounding areas.
Fire Chief ~ Dustin Burt
Valley Head Fire Chief Dustin Burt is a lifelong Valley Head resident. He and his wife, Kristi, have 2 beautiful daughters. He graduated from Valley Head High School in 2004. Dustin worked for the DeKalb County Ambulance Service for 8 years as an EMT and later an advanced EMT. He then transferred to the Marshall County EMS. Dustin has been in the Volunteer Fire Department for 16 years. Dustin was appointed as fire chief in Valley Head in 2018 and remains in that position.