| In 1999, Senator Gudger became the second-generation owner of an architectural salvage business that was established out of a garage in 1969. Since that time, Southern Accents Architectural Antiques has grown into one of the top five architectural salvage companies in the nation. Southern Accents was awarded "Best Antique Store in Alabama" by Alabama magazine in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Southern Accents has created architectural installations for Garden & Gun magazine including- The VIP lounge at Sloss Music Festival in Birmingham, AL in 2015 and 2016; and the Pilgrimage Music Festival in Nashville, TN in 2017 and 2018.
Senator Gudger has also worked with designer Billy Reid to create backdrops for New York Fashion Week runway shows and architectural installations for the Billy Reid Shindig in Florence, AL. He has also been asked to create several backdrops for CMT videos. Gudger is also the owner of Southern Makers - an event showcasing the best makers in the southeast.
Senator Gudger has been an architectural salvage appraiser for the Alabama Historical Commission and currently serves on the Landmark Committee for the Alabama Historical Commission.
In 2004, Gudger became the youngest member in the history of the City of Cullman to be elected to the Cullman City Council. He served on the council for 14 years and was elected to serve as its president for the last ten. While serving on the city council, Senator Gudger helped create a facade improvement program and streetscape projects that started a renaissance in downtown Cullman after the 2011 tornadoes.
He is a graduate of Cullman High School and received a football scholarship to Samford University where he played receiver. Senator Gudger graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Building Science and a minor in Business. He was selected for the prestigious PI-N (Preservation Institute of Nantucket) through the University of Florida.
Senator Gudger is married to Heather Pierce Gudger of Huntsville. They have 2 boys- Tripp (15) and Pierce (12).
Throughout Senator Gudger's career, he has received numerous honors and served in a variety of professional areas including-
◾ Top 50 "Up and Coming" Political Figures to Watch by Yellowhammer News (2018)
◾ Top 40 over 40 by Alabama magazine (2018)
◾ "Hero of the South" Award from Southern Living magazine (2012)
◾ Graduate of Leadership Alabama (Class of 2010-2011)
◾ Small Business of the Year Silver Award from the Alabama Retail Association (2016)
◾ Small Business of the Year Bronze award from the Alabama Retail Association (2002)
◾ Chairman- Cullman Jefferson Gas Board (2008-2018)
◾ Board member on Cullman Utility Board (2010-2018)
◾ Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member (2000-2003)
◾ Graduate of Leadership Cullman (Class of 2003-2004)
◾ Created a "round-up" program allowing Cullman Jefferson Gas District customers to round up their bill on a voluntary basis with proceeds going to The Link of Cullman County and Cullman Area Mental Health
◾ Member of Daystar Church
Other Business collaborations include the following-
◾ Highlands Bar and Grill - Birmingham, AL
◾ Ovenbird Restaurant - Birmingham, AL
◾ Carrigan's Public House - Birmingham, AL
◾ Brick and Tin Restaurant - Birmingham, AL
◾ Real and Rosemary - Birmingham, AL
◾ Little Donkey - Birmingham, AL
◾ Good People Brewing Co. - Birmingham, AL
◾ Rosie's Cantina - Huntsville, AL
◾ Big Bad Breakfast - Florence, AL
◾ Jim N Nick's - multiple locations
◾ Westin Hotel - Nashville, TN
◾ Omni Hotel - Nashville, TN
◾ Oak Steakhouse - Nashville, TN
◾ The Sutler Saloon - Nashville, TN
◾ Henrietta Red Restaurant - Nashville, TN
◾ The Honeysuckle - Franklin, TN
◾ Puckett's Grocery - Franklin, TN; Columbia, TN; Murfreesboro, TN; Chattanooga, TN
◾ Mother Angelica / Most Blessed Sacrament - Hanceville, AL
◾ Marty Stuart - personal home
◾ Black Keys - personal home |