When she’s not serving as Technology Project Manager for Regions Bank, Leigh Colpack is helping lead nearly 1,000 volunteers for her 22nd year at one of Birmingham’s most highly anticipated annual events, the Regions Tradition. Hosted at Greystone Golf & Country Club, the tournament attracts some of the state’s biggest celebrities — Nick Saban, Gus Malzahn, Condoleezza Rice, Bo Jackson and Paul Finebaum are just a few — as well as donates generous funds to Children’s of Alabama. Today, Leigh shares with us a few new exciting additions to this year’s tournament, like Shipt Yoga on the Green and a wine event. She also lets us in on a few of her favorite Magic City spots, some guilty pleasures and advice that any women at any age should hear. We are delighted to introduce long-time Regions Tradition lead volunteer Leigh Colpack!
Leigh Colpack, Technology Project Manager for Regions Bank and Lead Volunteer of the Regions Tradition Tournament, is our newest FACE of Birmingham!
How did you come to work at Regions? And tell us about your role as Technology Project Manager. What’s a typical day look like for you?
A friend who worked at Regions recommended that I interview, and I’m glad I did! I am very fortunate to work for Regions. My typical day is working with Regions Associates from our Business and Technology Groups to provide project support. The result provides Regions customers the ability to manage their accounts with a variety of technology services.
What does your role as Committee Co-Chairperson for Volunteer Headquarters at Regions Tradition entail?
The tournament enlists the help of approximately 1,000 volunteers to work on various committees — we have volunteers from all over the country who come to Birmingham specifically to volunteer for the tournament! At volunteer headquarters, we coordinate lunch for the volunteers, provide tournament information and directions to key areas such as the driving range, skyboxes, transportation and hole locations, as well as other important information. We have a great time, and the best part is seeing all the volunteers each year!
Leigh (left), Gai Craig (center) and Sher Morin (right) together serve as co-chairs of Volunteer Headquarters for the Regions Tradition tournament.
Tell us about this year’s tournament. What can people expect?
The Regions Tradition brings together 78 of the top PGA Tour Champions players and World Golf Hall of Fame members to compete for a major championship. Coaches and celebrities who have committed to play in the Pro-Am are Nick Saban, Gus Malzahn, Kirby Smart, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Bo Jackson, Derek Mason, Donald Hill-Eley, Connell Maynor, Taylor Hicks, Jay Barker, Greg McElroy, John Parker Wilson, Brodie Croyle and Mark Ingram.
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Why would you encourage others to volunteer with the tournament?
The Regions Tradition prides itself on giving back. Since the tournament became the Regions Tradition in 2011, the event has raised over $4.5 million for area charities and more than $16 million since the tournament’s inception in 1992, with Children’s of Alabama serving as the primary beneficiary of the tournament. So, not only will volunteers have the fulfillment of supporting worthy local causes, but they will also have a behind-the-scenes, unparalleled PGA Tour Champions experience.
“We have a great time, and the best part is seeing all the volunteers each year,” says Leigh.
There’s a new addition to the tournament, Shipt Yoga on the Green and a wine event this year. Can you tell us more about that?
Yoga on the Green, sponsored by Shipt, is a free event. You don’t even need a ticket to enjoy it! We’ll have top instructors from across the city collaborating on this 90-minute class. Four of them are going to lead it — Lauren Vogel of Life Time Fitness, Shannon Andrews Skipper of Villager Yoga and Conscious Body Healing Arts Center, Shawn Galin of UAB and Life Time Fitness and Emilie Maynor of Emilie Maynor Living. Immediately following class, yogis can enjoy wine with friends at Wine Down, a complimentary social event with wine and a full representation of Birmingham yoga studios with instructors on hand to answer questions.
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What are some of your hobbies? What would you like to learn how to do?
Art classes in college were a favorite, and I still enjoy sketching and painting today. New techniques and different mediums are exciting to learn. Knitting is a favorite hobby as well. The transformation of yarn into a hat, scarf or blanket is amazing and fun to create. Learning to play the piano again is on the list of new hobbies. Classes from childhood need a refresher!
Leigh recently took up running and enjoys running in the great outdoors as well as traveling to fun cities for half- and full-marathons.
If you could go back 10 years, what advice would you give yourself?
To concentrate on art and painting more. If God has given you a talent, you should be mindful of it. So, I’d go back and tell myself to do more of that.
What are your three must-have style staples?
I go to Arlene Goldstein for all my style. From a style perspective, what makes you look great and feel great is most important. I wear a lot of black and love it, and I get a lot of great compliments on that — probably because I like it and it makes me feel good. Plus, compliments are always a winner!
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What is a hidden gem in Birmingham that you love?
Aldridge Gardens — it is in the middle of the city of Hoover, and it’s really a glorious place. It’s quite beautiful. They’ve done a really nice job.
“It would be difficult to live without the ability to get out and enjoy the outdoors,” says Leigh.
Do you have a mentor or role model and if so, how have they inspired you or what did they teach you?
She has passed away, but she was an artist in Birmingham — LaNeil Wilson. She was one of my art teachers at Samford. She did etchings, and they were amazing, beautiful works with great detail. And she loved what she did.
What’s your favorite Birmingham restaurant?
Favorite restaurant is Edgar’s Bakery! The breakfast and lunch menu selections are outstanding, and all of the desserts are fabulous!
What’s one item that is always in your purse?
My YMCA card
“The Regions Tradition tournament enlists the help of approximately 1,000 volunteers to work on various committees,” says Leigh. “We have volunteers from all over the country who come to Birmingham specifically to volunteer for the tournament!”
What’s the last movie you saw in theaters?
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. I’m looking forward to seeing Avengers: Infinity War. “Groot” is a favorite — amazing that a plant can be a superhero!
What is your best piece of advice?
You have to appreciate every day that you’re given, no matter how difficult or challenging it is, because they are all special. Even if it seems like is the worst day of your life, it is still a gift.
Besides faith, family and friends, what are three things you can’t live without?
Laughter and Starbucks hot chocolate, which I get every day. The baristas know my name when I come in. And it would be difficult to live without the ability to get out and enjoy the outdoors. I’ve taken up running and it is amazing to me that you can get out and really enjoy nature without having to even get in a car.
Thank you, Leigh, for all you do! To learn more about the Regions Tradition and to purchase tickets, visit regionstradition.com.
Thank you to Charity Ponter of Charity Ponter Photography for today’s beautiful photography.
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