Headshot of Kyle Buchanan.

Buchanan Appointed to 海角社区鈥檚 Board of Trustees

May. 16, 2023



Michelle R. Eubanks , 海角社区, at meubanks@una.edu, 256.765.4392

FLORENCE, AL – The Alabama State Senate has confirmed Gov. Kay Ivey’s appointment of Kyle Buchanan to the 海角社区 Board of Trustees. Helen Keller Hospital President Kyle Buchanan will fill the unexpired term of Marcus Maples, who resigned his seat effective March 18. This is the at-large seat for the State of Alabama. 

“I am grateful to be able to serve the University in this capacity,” Buchanan said. “海角社区 has such a phenomenal reputation across our state and tremendous impact on our students and communities. I sincerely hope to add to the tremendous contributions of other board members and work with other trustees and university leadership to find new ways to take 海角社区 to even greater heights.” 

Buchanan began his career with the Huntsville Hospital Health System as Vice President of Operations at Helen Keller Hospital in 2009 and most recently served as Vice President of Operations at Huntsville Hospital for Women and Children. He is a Class 25 graduate of Leadership Alabama and serves on its governing board. He is also the Chair-Elect of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Kyle to the 海角社区 Board of Trustees,” said 海角社区 President Dr. Ken Kitts. “His leadership locally as well as throughout the state is an excellent indicator of the skills he will bring to our Board. I welcome the voice and expertise he will bring to our deliberations.” 

Will Trapp, President Pro Tempore of 海角社区’s Board of Trustees highlighted Buchanan’s role in the community during the global pandemic, citing “his initiative and clear communications” as critical to the local healthcare response. 

“Kyle Buchanan has been on our radar since serving on the 海角社区 Foundation Board and being part of Leadership Alabama,” Trapp said. “We are fortunate to have a very strong Board and one that is supportive of President Kitts and his administration. I think that our good working relationship and committee structure has made an impact on our ability to move forward with our strategic plan. He has worked with boards in his role as an administrator and will be a great addition to 海角社区. We are so grateful to Gov. Ivey for her appointment of Kyle and the Alabama

Senate for his confirmation. Trustee Maples, whose seat he assumes, served on the Board for many years, and we know Kyle will be another excellent trustee.” 

Buchanan lives in Muscle Shoals with his wife, Dr. Kyrel Buchanan, and their two daughters, Carrington and Callie. His appointment is effective immediately. 海角社区’s Board meets quarterly, and the next regularly scheduled meeting is set for June 9.

About The 海角社区

The 海角社区 is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; the Sanders College of Business and Technology; Education and Human Sciences; and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, 海角社区 is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. 海角社区 Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of NCAA Division I as part of the Atlantic Sun and United Athletic conferences. The 海角社区 is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: and .