Addie McCluskey
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville-Autauga Character Coalition (PACC), in partnership with the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce, celebrated its annual Champions of Character event, Aug. 28, 2025, at Central Alabama Community College.
The event, which featured a silent auction, dinner, and live music, honors leaders who exemplify outstanding character. James Spann, a longtime Alabama broadcast meteorologist and current chief meteorologist for ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, was this year’s honoree.
Spann began his career in radio in the 1970s and transitioned to television soon after, working at several stations across the state. He is known for his in-depth severe weather coverage and has earned national recognition, including an Emmy Award and the American Meteorological Society’s Award for Broadcast Meteorology. He also hosts the weekly weather podcast “WeatherBrains.”
“We are proud to select James Spann as our Champion of Character this year,” said Nagea Littleton, President of PACC. “He truly embodies the very qualities we strive to promote.”
Founded in 2007, PACC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the community through character development and education. The Champion of Character Award, established in 2015, honors individuals who demonstrate exemplary values.
“PACC is about more than programs or events—it’s about people,” said Littleton. “We highlight and encourage values like respect, kindness, and responsibility, because those are the things that truly strengthen a community.”
In his acceptance speech for this year’s Champion of Character award, Spann reflected on his upbringing, noting that growing up in poverty with a single mother taught him the values of hard work and humility—principles he credits for his success today.
“I’m not really good at anything I do, but I will work harder than anybody else to accomplish a goal,” said Spann. “Nothing in life comes without a good, hard work ethic.”
For more information about PACC, visit pacharacter.org.
