Senator Smitherman, born in Montgomery, Alabama on March 2, 1953, is serving his fourth term in the Senate. He graduated from the University of Montevallo with a B.B.A. degree and with honors from Miles Law School with a Juris Doctorate Degree. Senator Smitherman and his wife, the former Carole Catlin of Birmingham are the parents of four children: Rodger, II, Tonya Renee, Mary Elaine, and Crystal Nicole. He is a practicing attorney, a member of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association, and the Birmingham Bar Association. He is a Democrat and an Elder in the Presbyterian Church.

Senator Smitherman was elected President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate on Thursday, February 5, 2009.

Committees:

• Banking and Insurance
• Business and Labor
• Confirmations
• Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics and Elections
• Finance and Taxation, Education
• Industrial Development and Recruitment
• Judiciary
• Local Legislation No. 2 (Chairperson)
• Rules
• Tourism and Marketing