Vice President
Heath Blackmon
Heath Blackmon was born and raised in Hayden, AL, where he developed a passion for Athletic Training after sustaining an injury at a young age. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from the University of West Alabama, where he also served as President of the Sports Medicine Club. He currently resides in Pell City, AL with his wife, Candy, and their two daughters, Chloe and Hannah. Heath has worked as an Occupational Athletic Trainer for the past five years and is currently employed with TherapySouth At Work.
Heath has dedicated the past four years to serving ALATA in multiple leadership roles. As Treasurer, he managed organizational finances and secured a record 37 sponsors, strengthening ALATA’s financial stability and outreach. As chair of the Grants, Scholarships, and Awards Committee, he created the ALATA LifeSaver Award, recognized more than 25 athletic trainers, and awarded over $50,000 in scholarships to support the next generation of professionals. He also served on the Salary Survey Task Force, providing valuable data to help members advocate for fair compensation, and the Constitution and By-Laws Task Force, ensuring ALATA’s governing documents remain current and mission-driven.
In his role as Vice President, Heath has emphasized listening to members through conversations, calls, messages, and surveys. This feedback has shaped Clinical Symposia & Members’ Meetings to provide the most practical programming, advancing the knowledge and skills of Alabama athletic trainers and improving patient care.
Looking ahead, Heath is committed to promoting the value of athletic training, advocating for policies that benefit athletic trainers and their patients, expanding educational opportunities, and fostering member engagement across ALATA.
Whitley Williams
As Vice President, Williams seeks to advance advocacy, professional development, and innovation within athletic training across Alabama. Her platform emphasizes continued collaboration, mentorship, and strengthening statewide support for athletic trainers at all career levels.
Whitley Williams joined Samford University in May 2021 as Head Football Athletic Trainer and was promoted in 2022 to Director of Sports Medicine – Head Football Athletic Trainer. She oversees medical services for the football team, coordinates emergency planning and training, and manages the Sports Medicine Student Assistant Intern Program. She also represents athletics on the Samford CARES team.
Williams contributes nationally as part of the Sports Medicine staff for the NFL’s East West Shrine Bowl, serving since 2020 as a Head Athletic Trainer. Within professional organizations, she is an Executive Council member for the Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association, chairing the Collegiate and Professional Athletic Trainers Committee. She is also an active member of the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association Collegiate Committee and currently serves as President of the Southern Conference Sports Medicine Society.
Previously, Williams worked at Furman University (2017–2021) as Assistant Athletic Trainer for football and cheer, while also serving on the COVID Task Force and directing the Sports Medicine Student Assistant Internship Program. She began at Furman as an Athletic Training Fellow in 2017, covering men’s lacrosse and assisting with football.
Her professional credentials include Licensed Athletic Trainer (LAT, Alabama), Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC, NATABOC), and American Heart Association CPR/AED. She is certified in Dry Needling, IV Administration, QPR Suicide Prevention, and is a Professional Yoga Therapist. Williams also precepts for multiple universities and clinical programs.
A Bridgeport, Alabama native, Williams earned her B.S. in Kinesiology (Psychology minor) from Auburn University, an M.S. in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee–Chattanooga, and is currently pursuing an MBA in Sports Administration and Data Analytics.
