ABOUT LEIGH
Libertarians believe that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose. This "Live and Let Live" principle has always appealed to Leigh.
Born in Toledo, Ohio, Leigh is the youngest of the six (6) children of William and Joann LaChine. Leigh and his wife, Kathy have been married for 15 years and enjoy many activities including being certified barbecue judges and fostering animals through the local humane society.
As a youth, Leigh was very active in the Cub/Boy Scouts of America earning the Arrow of Light and Eagle Scout awards while also being elected to the Order of the Arrow national honor society. During the majority of the summers of his youth, Leigh worked at both Toledo Area Scout camps at a variety of positions from assistant cook to the day camp program director.
After completing his degree at Lake High School in Millbury, Ohio, Leigh continued his studies at Eastern Michigan University graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Ecosystems Biology with a minor in Conservation and Resource Use. In college, Leigh became a member of Phi Sigma Kappa national fraternity and served several terms on the chapter executive committee. Leigh became a member of this organization due to their "Cardinal Principles" of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Character.
Leigh began his professional career in 1991 with an environmental consulting firm in Toledo with a career move to Durham, North Carolina in 1993. He assisted in the development of a branch office in Richmond, Virginia from 1994-1997 before relocating to Birmingham to startup and manage the southeastern location of a national, environmental due diligence, firm.
In 2005, Leigh launched and became the majority owner of the environmental consulting, training, and testing firm - Accelerated Risk Management, LLC. The firm specializes in the placement and renovation of multi-family housing projects. He holds several professional designations including licensed asbestos inspector, lead-based paint inspector/risk assessor/designer, as well as being an EPA/Alabama SafeState approved Renovation, Repair, and Painting course instructor. He also holds radon gas measurement specialist credentials with multi-family accreditation.
Leigh became involved in his local Eastwood Neighborhood Association of the City of Birmingham Citizen Participation Plan after a study it helped commission removed his primary residence from the flood zone, saving thousands of dollars in unneeded flood insurance. Leigh was elected vice-president of the organization in 2016. In 2018, Leigh was elected president and was re-elected to a second term during the latest round of elections.
Being a lifelong baseball fan, one of the first things Leigh did was attend the Birmingham Baron's Rickwood Classic game after relocating to the Birmingham area. Immediately drawn to the amazing historical park he attended neighborhood, park events, and volunteered for various park restoration activities. Leigh was invited to join the board of the Friends of Rickwood in 2011. He has been an active member contributing in many ways to keep the revitalization of this historic treasure continuing.
In 2012, Leigh was elected vice-chair of the Libertarian Party of Alabama and a year later became chair of the organization. During the 2014 campaign cycle he was instrumental in achieving ballot access for the Libertarian Party in Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, and Bibb counties and was the Libertarian Party nominee for Jefferson County Assistant Tax Collector. After serving four (4) terms as chair of the Alabama State Libertarian Party, Leigh did not to seek re-election but rather decided to focus on more local politics and founded the Libertarian Party of Greater Birmingham in 2017 where he continues to serve as chair.