Madison Police Citizens Advisory Committee

Patrick Freel - District 1

Pat Freel is a native of Long Island, New York.  He enlisted in the US Army in 1965. He served in Army Intelligence for 50 years, 35 years as an Army Officer, retiring in the grade of Chief Warrant Officer 4 and 15 years as a civilian Counterintelligence Agent with overseas assignments in Europe and Asia. The final 15 years were spent supporting research and development programs based at Redstone Arsenal. He is a computer “geek” as well as an avid photographer.

Madison PD is a vibrant, quickly growing organization populated by many dedicated officers and civilian support staff. Serving on this committee gives Pat the opportunity to enhance the department.

Phyllis Smith Campbell - District 2

Phyllis Smith Campbell, a middle Tennessee native, and her husband moved to Huntsville in 1985 after her husband took a position with a contractor on Redstone Arsenal. The Campbells moved to Madison from Huntsville in the late 90’s so their children could be students of the new Madison City School System. 

Phyllis feels that there are areas in which the community and law enforcement could learn from each other; especially in the area of coexisting with community members that could be experiencing emotional and mental distress. A better understanding of both parties should lead to a higher level of emotional intelligence for the officers and a better understanding of law enforcement for the city’s citizens. 

Phyllis is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. She is a member of the Church of Christ on the Highway in Madison. Growing up as the daughter of a minister, she has no problem meeting and speaking with the city’s citizens.

Phyllis is married to Alvin. They have two adult daughters and one granddaughter. She is a recent retiree of The Alabama A&M University where she enjoyed 25 plus years of service and the love of her bonus children, AAMU students. Phyllis is an active life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated^®, Rho Chi Omega Chapter of Madison and is a charter member of the graduate chapter in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She serves her community through her sorority and church organizations. Phyllis enjoys reading, listening to music, spending time with her close family, friends, and doting on her middle-school granddaughter.

Billie Goodson - District 3

Billie Goodson has been a resident of Madison since 2016, moving into Madison after living in Madison County since 2007. Billie and his wife attended the Tour of Homes in 2014 and fell in love with the Historic Downtown area. When a home went on the market, they jumped at the chance to move into the city! Billie has been involved in the Historic Preservation Society and in Madison United Methodist Church.

Billie graduated from the University of South Alabama in 1986 with a degree in History. He served in the National Guard and Army Reserve as both an enlisted member and officer. 

Billie has a deep interest in law enforcement within and for our community. Effective law enforcement will provide for safer communities and effective utilization of resources. Law enforcement is more effective when there are clear communications and expectations between the communities and those charged with our protection. Effective communication between both our citizens and our law enforcement administrators and officers will ensure each citizen and officer is treated with the respect and dignity that is required to effectively serve our community. 

Billie is married to Susan (Marley), his high school sweetheart. They have four adult daughters and 10 grandchildren. Billie is an avid soccer fan and enjoys woodworking and remodeling their historic home.

Frank Fletcher - District 4

Franklin D. Fletcher is married and they have four children. He lives in Madison and is retired from Amoco Chemical located in Decatur Alabama where he worked for thirty years. Franklin was educated in the Madison County public school system and attended Calhoun Junior College in Decatur AL and Albertson Broughton College in Huntsville AL. He is a US Army Vietnam Veteran, honorably discharged. Franklin is interested in keeping the city of Madison a safe place to live for all citizens and in being an unbiased voice in police matters.

Dr. Yeqing Bao - District 5

Dr. Yeqing Bao is a Professor of Marketing at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and has been a faculty member there since 2001. Throughout his tenure at UAH, he has taken on various administrative roles, including Associate Dean of the College of Business, Associate Dean for Graduate School and International Services, and currently serves as the Chair for the Department of Management and Marketing.

Yeqing actively engages in the community  through church services and volunteering activities. Having lived in Madison for over 20 years, Yeqing and his wife, Lisa, have two children who have gone through the Madison city school system and are currently attending college. Yeqing recognizes the importance of police as an integral part of the community. He believes that a healthy and collaborative relationship between the police and the general public fosters community development and enhances overall quality of life.

Rebecca Colon Franz - District 6

Rebecca, her husband Aaron, and her sons, Gabriel (19) and Vincent (14), have lived in Madison for 11 years. She was very active at Horizon Elementary school serving on the PTA for 5 years as Volunteer Coordinator (2), Secretary (2), and President (1). Her 5^th year on the PTA was one she was asked to do despite the fact that her child had moved on to Secondary School the year prior. This is the year she served as President. During this time, she was also active in her church, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, by participating as a Stephen Minister, Daughters of the King where she was once Vice President and then President, New Comers Committee, and the Vestry of the church. It is a three-year commitment to the Vestry and this year is her final year. She is serving as Senior Warden, while last year, she was Junior Warden. Rebecca is also involved with a newly created ministry in the church called Beloved Community. Last summer, she completed a course to be certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid.

She is an Army Veteran having served 4 years in Country and in Germany. She was an Ammunition Specialist (55B) where she would transport various munitions in order to supply all training and missions. Rebecca’s husband, Aaron, also served in the Army for 11 years. He was MLRS Fire Direction Controller and then reclassified for Helicopter Repairer. They are both Disabled Veterans. Rebecca was also a Police Officer for a short time in Port Orange, Florida before she joined the military. She graduated the Police Academy part of the top Cadets in her class. Additionally, she worked for the Division of Forestry where she got certified in basic firefighting to participate in Controlled Burns. 

Rebecca interviewed for the Madison Police Citizens Advisory Committee because she wants to continue helping the community by strengthening communications between the Police and the Citizens of Madison City. She wants to give the community a voice and a means in which to be able to express their concerns, opinions and questions. She also wants to help the community to understand the enormous and often times, dangerous responsibilities the Police deal with on a daily basis. She believes that honest communications will not only strengthen the trust between both groups, but also provide valuable information that would strengthen the Police Departments effort to deter and solve crimes and to make the citizens safer and more informed about their community.

Wyndie Meyer - District 7

Wyndie and her husband Patrick (NASA Engineer) have lived in and raised all three of their children in Madison Alabama since 1999, AshLeigh 38, is an attorney and owner of Magic City Family Law in Birmingham. She lives in Birmingham with husband Jon and the cutest granddaughter ever, Aria 19 months, Mathew 25, lives in Colorado, and Benjamin 23 currently resides in Madison. Although a very dedicated full-time employee Wyndie always found time for active involvement in her children’s activities and those that were important in her life, developing Madison City School Dismissal process, Rainbow PTA and classroom volunteer, Discovery classroom volunteer, six years as Bob Jones High School Band Officer including President. Other volunteer activities included over 10 years on the Huntsville Area Crime Stoppers Board which also included the President position. She has been very active in Brain Tumor awareness activities since 2009 after her son was diagnosed and cured. Obviously, she is an advocate for St Jude Childrens Hospital. 

In her professional life, Wyndie is a well-known Quality Professional with over 35 years of Quality Management System Implementation, Maintenance and Management in the FIELD OF Aviation. She has led dozens of companies to implement and maintain their QMS, performing value added audits, and internal auditor training. She has an excess of 22 Years Organizational Executive Management experience in Quality, Security, Safety, AS9100, AS9110, AS9120 and ISO Management. She currently works as the Director of Certification Services and Operational Performance for Aviation Suppliers Association Certifying Body. She also performs audits when needed or requested from clients. Her Auditing credentials include IAQG Probitas Certified Aerospace Experienced Industry Auditor AS9100, AS9110, AS9120. She holds AS, BS, MBA Degrees in Business. 

Marc Highsmith - Mayor's Appointment

Lieutenant Colonel Darius (Marc) Highsmith (retired) is a 21-year combat veteran of the U.S. Army. His last duty assignment was at Redstone Arsenal, where he served as the Inspector General. Marc graduated from Missouri Western State University, with a degree in Criminal Justice. He later earned a master’s degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma.

Marc is an enthusiastic contributor to the Madison community. He served as an adjunct professor at Alabama A&M University, teaching courses in human resources, logistics, and management. He also volunteers with various organizations feeding the homeless, and voter registration drives. Marc is also a member of the Madison Rotary Club raising awareness and funds for the International End Polio Now Campaign. He is connected to the community through deep friendships and valued colleagues. 

Marc is a Lifetime and active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. While working with the fraternity his involvement has remained constant within all communities that he has lived. Marc has served on Alpha Phi Alpha scholarship awards committee while in Dover Delaware awarding thousands of dollars to youth attending college. Marc desire to impact our youth has remained consistent in community through his work and contributions to the March of Dimes. His time serving as Youth Enrichment for young men has made influence in helping young men pursue college. 

While serving in the Army it has afforded Marc the experience to serve so many people. At one point he was leading the team that took care of our fallen Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and civilians lost during overseas conflicts, while serving at Dover Air Force Base. His actions of compassion were felt with families and the Department of Defense and State Department. Marc has worked to help others from other countries as a Friends of Africa volunteer in Djibouti, Africa. This experience gave him a chance to provide much needed supplies, within the community. Marc and his wife, Vicki, have lived in Madison for over five years. Their daughter is a graduate of University of Alabama at Huntsville, and their son is a junior at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

Rajiv Sharma - Chief of Police Appointment

Rajiv Sharma is originally from India, specifically the Punjab region of North India.  He came to the US at age 4 and grew up in Nashville, TN.  He has a BA in Math and Economics from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from Emory University.  Rajiv started his career as a Controller at Deutsche Bank in New York City, and then shifted to Defense Industry once his family relocated to the Huntsville area, having worked for Raytheon and Science & Engineering Services in financial, program, and earned value management.  He currently works as a Senior Project Controller for SAIC.  Rajiv's wife is a Family Physician in Madison, working for Crestwood. Together they have one daughter who is a sophomore at Bob Jones High School. Their family has been living in Madison since 2006.  Rajiv's hobbies include community service, travel, movies[both Hollywood and Bollywood], meteorology, and exercising.  He also speaks Hindi.  Another interesting fact is that Rajiv lived and worked in New York City area during 9/11 and witnessed WTC Tower 2 explosion.  His reasons to serve on the Committee are to make Madison an even better place to live and to better relations in the city between the community and the police through dialogue and cultural awareness.