Ricky Fernandez is one of the most recognizable personalities in North Alabama sports and serves as the Senior Director of Marketing and Promotions for the Rocket City Trash Pandas, where he leads the creative vision behind one of Minor League Baseball's most celebrated fan experiences. As the energetic on-field emcee at Toyota Field, Ricky has become the face and voice of countless unforgettable moments, entertaining thousands of fans each game while helping transform every home stand into a community event rather than simply a baseball game.

A Huntsville native through and through, Ricky was born and raised in the Rocket City. He graduated from Bob Jones High School before earning his degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, giving him deep roots in the community he now helps entertain. His love for North Alabama and its people has made him a passionate ambassador for the region, both on and off the field.

Before joining the Trash Pandas organization, Ricky built a career in broadcasting, working in local radio as a producer and on-air personality. His background behind the microphone sharpened the quick wit, timing, and audience engagement skills that have become trademarks of his work today. He has a natural ability to connect with crowds, making him one of the most recognizable public personalities in the Huntsville-Madison area.

Ricky joined the Rocket City Trash Pandas during the organization's formative years in 2019, helping launch a franchise that would quickly become one of the premier success stories in Minor League Baseball. Interestingly, he nearly left his mark on the club before ever being hired—he finished second in the team's famous "Name the Team" contest with his submission, ThunderSharks, before "Trash Pandas" was ultimately selected. That connection to the franchise's earliest days has made him an integral part of its identity ever since.

Over the years, Ricky has risen through the organization from Game Entertainment and Promotions Manager to Director and now Senior Director of Marketing and Promotions. In that role, he oversees the club's promotional calendar, theme nights, giveaways, fan engagement initiatives, and in-game entertainment strategy. From sold-out bobblehead nights and specialty jerseys to nationally recognized promotional events, Ricky's creativity has helped make Toyota Field one of the most entertaining venues in all of Minor League Baseball.

His influence extends well beyond baseball. Ricky has helped position Toyota Field as a year-round entertainment destination by supporting concerts, festivals, holiday events, community celebrations, collegiate athletics, and special attractions that bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Town Madison each year. His work demonstrates how modern sports marketing is about building experiences that strengthen an entire community.

Today, Ricky Fernandez is widely regarded as one of the driving creative forces behind the Rocket City Trash Pandas' remarkable success. Whether he's orchestrating a memorable promotion, hyping a packed crowd between innings, or developing the next big idea that keeps fans coming back, Ricky combines hometown pride, marketing innovation, and infectious enthusiasm to create experiences that have made the Trash Pandas one of the most beloved brands in Minor League Baseball.

Visit https://trashpandasbaseball.com for more information on the Rocket City Trash Pandas and when you can see Ricky do this thing at a game.Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapAWatch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomHAudio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcastsFollow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/

Chelsea McKinney is a North Alabama entrepreneur, REALTOR®, business owner, and investor whose career has been built around one central mission: helping people protect and maximize the value of their homes. Through her experience in real estate, residential investing, and construction, she has developed a unique perspective that spans nearly every stage of home ownership—from purchasing a first home to renovating, maintaining, and protecting one of a family's largest financial investments.

A lifelong resident of Madison, Alabama, Chelsea developed an early passion for real estate through buying, renovating, and investing in homes. After spending years investing in residential properties, she earned her real estate license in 2014, turning that passion into a full-time profession. Her firsthand experience as an investor gave her an understanding of the housing market that extends well beyond traditional real estate transactions, allowing her to help buyers identify opportunities and sellers maximize their home's value.

Chelsea first established herself with Revolved Realty, where she quickly earned a reputation for being knowledgeable, responsive, and deeply committed to her clients. She specialized in working with both buyers and sellers throughout the rapidly growing Huntsville and Madison markets, helping families navigate one of the most significant financial decisions of their lives. During this time, she became known for her practical advice, strong negotiation skills, and ability to identify homes with long-term investment potential. Her background as a real estate investor enabled her to see opportunities that others often overlooked, particularly in renovation projects and value-add properties.

As her career progressed, Chelsea joined Leading Edge Real Estate Group, where she serves as a REALTOR® and Partner. At Leading Edge, she continues to represent buyers, sellers, and investors throughout North Alabama while building lasting relationships based on trust, transparency, and exceptional service. Over more than a decade in real estate, she has participated.

At McKinney & Sons Roofing, Chelsea combines her real estate expertise with construction knowledge to help homeowners make informed decisions that protect both their property and its long-term value. Because she understands what buyers, sellers, inspectors, lenders, and insurance companies look for during a real estate transaction, she brings a unique perspective to every roofing project. Whether working with homeowners after storm damage, assisting Realtors trying to keep transactions on schedule, or helping families navigate the insurance claims process, Chelsea focuses on education, honest communication, and delivering quality workmanship through a customer-first approach.

Today, Chelsea continues to wear multiple hats as a REALTOR®, entrepreneur, real estate investor, and co-owner of McKinney & Sons Roofing. By combining expertise in real estate, residential construction, and property investment, she has built a career centered on helping people make smart decisions about their homes—whether they're buying one, selling one, renovating one, or protecting it for years to come.

Visit https://www.mckinney-roof.com to learn more about Chelsea and McKinney and Sons Roofing

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapA

Watch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomH

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A community watch party featuring music from The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square on June 26, 2026. The venue will open at 3 PM with bounce houses, giant yard pong, corn hole, and jumbo Connect 4 as entertainment. The show will begin at 7 PM and fireworks will follow.Proceeds from all concessions will be donated to our local charitable organization First Stop,Inc. who is dedicated to helping homeless people move from homelessness to stability.There will also be a special performance from classically trained tenor, Nathan Pacheco, singingthe National Anthem live.In this special episode, we explore a historic moment for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in North Alabama—the creation of the new Sipsey Alabama Stake. The organization of a new stake is often seen as a sign of growth, faith, and strengthening congregations, and this milestone reflects decades of steady development across the region.Through exclusive interviews with President Kariya of the Huntsville Alabama Stake, President Dunford of the Madison Alabama Stake, and President Garcia of the newly formed Sipsey Alabama Stake, we discuss the history, challenges, and opportunities that led to this significant reorganization. Together, they share insights into leadership, ministering to growing congregations, and what this new chapter means for Latter-day Saints throughout North Alabama.Whether you're a member of the Church, interested in the history of faith communities in the American South, or simply curious about how religious organizations grow and evolve, this conversation offers a unique look at a landmark event in Alabama Church history.Visit http://churchofjesuschrist.org for more information on the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day SaintsHost/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapAWatch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomHAudio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcastsFollow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/