MONTGOMERY, AL – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced the appointment of eleven members to the newly established Alabama Veterans Resource Center (AVRC) Board. This initiative, a component of Governor Ivey’s 2025 legislative agenda, aims to create a centralized, sustainable support system for veterans and their families across the state.
The AVRC is designed to provide workforce development, assistance navigating veterans’ benefits, legal and family support services, and opportunities for peer and social engagement. The center will serve as a statewide hub to help former servicemembers successfully transition to civilian life.
“During this past legislative session, I made it a top priority to strengthen our support for Alabama’s veterans, and establishing the Veterans Resource Center was a key part of that effort,” said Governor Ivey. “With this board now in place, we’re taking a major step forward in making sure Alabama remains the most military- and veteran-friendly state in the nation.”
The board includes representatives from various sectors, including state government, healthcare, private industry, and veterans’ services:
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Greg Reed, Chairman – Secretary, Alabama Department of Workforce
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Jeff Newton, Vice Chairman – Commissioner, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs
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Kimberly Boswell – Commissioner, Alabama Department of Mental Health
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Bobby Singleton – Senator, District 24; Minority Leader, Alabama Senate
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Anthony Daniels – Representative, District 53; Minority Leader, Alabama House
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Stacia Robinson – Director, Alabama Office of Minority Affairs
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Ronald Brown – EVP & CFO, Jim Wilson & Associates
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Carter Wells – Government Relations Advisor, Maynard Nexsen
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George Talbot – SVP for External Affairs, Volkert (Lieutenant Governor Appointee)
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Andrew Jones – Senator, District 10; Chair, Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Safety Committee (Senate President Pro Tempore Appointee)
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Tracy Doughty – President & COO, Huntsville Hospital (Speaker of the House Appointee)
Secretary Reed emphasized that the center is a step toward providing streamlined access to essential services for Alabama veterans.
“Alabama veterans deserve more than just gratitude – they deserve resources to help them navigate the systems that meet their needs,” said Reed. “Our goal is to increase partnerships, eliminate fragmentation, increase trust, and improve long-term outcomes.”
Commissioner Newton added that the AVRC could play a transformative role in veterans’ lives.
“This facility will provide an added resource for veterans to thrive after service — to build a future, start a career and make an impact right here in Alabama,” Newton said.
The AVRC Board is expected to convene in the coming weeks to begin implementing the center’s operations and initiatives.
