Russell County Commissioner and Troy University alumnus Chance Corbett will deliver the keynote address to graduates at Troy University’s Phenix City Campus during the spring commencement ceremony on June 3.

The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. EST at the Columbus Georgia Convention and Trade Center. About 100 students are expected to take part in the ceremony.

Corbett, a lifelong resident of Russell County, is married to his wife of 21 years, Jennifer, and they have two children, Colten 17 and Alice 12.

Corbett started his public service career at the young age of 15 as a volunteer firefighter before becoming the youngest emergency medical technician in the state of Alabama. He went on to work for the Russell County Sheriff’s Office where, in 1997, he was promoted to Patrol Sergeant and served for five years on the SWAT team, three years of which he served as the team leader. 

In 2001, Corbett was appointed by the Russell County Commission to the position of Emergency Management Director for Russell County where he served for seven more years until being recruited and hired by Auburn University to create their first emergency management program. 

Corbett retired from Auburn University as Director of Emergency Management in December 2020.      Four days after retirement, he accepted the position of Emergency Manager and Director of Homeland Security for Columbus, Ga., where he continues to serve today. 

Dedicated to his home county, Corbett is in his third term as a Russell County Commissioner and is currently serving as Chairman. Elected in 2012, he has led many projects, three of which received national awards from the National Association of Counties. Corbett has been responsible for leading community projects in the Crawford community of Russell County, which included restoring an 1848 building to be used as a community center, establishing a community playground, as well as creating a gazebo, museum and a first-class walking trail.

He is a member of the Phenix City Rotary Club and a past member and president of the Phenix City Exchange Club. 

Corbett received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and Master’s degree in Education from Troy University, and holds Paramedic and Law Enforcement certifications in both Alabama and Georgia, as well as an international emergency management certification. He has taught college at Chattahoochee Valley Community College, Troy University and Auburn University.