Sikes is a familiar name in the South Montgomery area, seen on signage throughout the area and along side major roadways such as Highway 231. Sikes and Kohn—The Country Mail—is his family's business as well as his employer.
Sikes and Kohn was begun by his grandfather, James Kohn and father James Sikes, in Ramer, Alabama, in December of 1970. Brett's grandfather sold the company in 1986 to James Sikes, Brett's father. Although the focus on merchandise has changed over the years, the store remains constant in filling consumer demands for popular footwear, apparel and accessories.

Brett Sikes stays busy at The Country Mall doing "just about everything" that needs doing outside, including billboards, signage and any other of these duties that fills his day. He resides in Pine Level, with his wife the former Laura Leigh Peacock. His daughter, Brittany, attends school at South Montgomery County Academy in Grady.

Sikes other love is for Rodeo and Team Roping. He has enjoyed the sport since his high school days at South Montgomery County Academy, and his expertise has earned him cash prizes and saddle trophies. A member of the Professional Cowboy Rodeo Association, he has participated in the US team Rodeo Championship.As one of the top 15 qualifiers, he looks forward to his fourth competition this coming January 5th - 8th at the Professional Cowboy Finals Rodeo to be held at the
Neshoba County Coliseum in Philadelphia, Mississippi.

Sikes also has the distinction of having another relative who has been a MonCre board member—grandmother Helen Kohn Tompkins. She served as an active board member for one year.

So far Sikes has not missed a board meeting, and thinks the co-op has a wonderful general manager who is very capable and experienced to handle the job. Sikes hopes to offer additional leadership from a retail management point of view. He likes the positive direction of the company and new management and sees clarity of purpose from the board and MonCre management. "The new service plans have been well received and the inquiries from our co-op members about Internet and DSL services have jumped from 4 to 5 calls per month to 4 to 5 calls per day,"
Everything seems to be working well.

Brett Sikes standing in front of his store's famous highway billboards.

On thoughts about 2006, Sikes says that he thinks MonCre will maintain the goals they have accomplished. "And", he added, "have the vision to grow within our reach."

Brett Sikes is welcomed as a new MonCre board member with many years ahead to watch that growth become reality.