Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey made key appointments this week to the newly formed Alabama Workforce Board and its Executive Committee, marking a significant step forward in implementing the “Working for Alabama” legislative package that she championed earlier this year. The Alabama Workforce Transformation Act, a centerpiece of this initiative, created the board and committee to overhaul and streamline the state’s workforce development programs.
This newly established Alabama Workforce Board merges two existing workforce entities—the Alabama Workforce Council and the State Workforce Development Board—into one comprehensive group. The Executive Committee, made up of business and industry leaders, will take a leading role in shaping the direction of Alabama’s public workforce programs.
Governor Ivey emphasized the importance of preparing Alabama for long-term success. “Ensuring we have an equipped workforce is critical as we look to fill jobs today—and in the future,” Ivey said. “I am proud to assemble a group of some of our state’s business and industry leaders to work with us as we streamline our workforce development efforts.”
The following appointments were announced:
Executive Committee of the Alabama Workforce Board
- Jeff Peoples, President & CEO of Alabama Power (Chair)
- Dr. Cathy Randall, Vice-Chair
- Dawn Bulgarella
- Tom Hand
- Phil Webb, President & CEO of Webb Concrete (Ex-Officio member as Chair of the Workforce Board)
- Lamar Whitaker
Alabama Workforce Board
- Phil Webb, Chair
- Jimmy Baker
- Stanley Batemon
- Harolyn Benjamin
- William “Bill” Blackman, Jr.
- Miranda Bouldin-Frost
- Bredgitte Braddock
- Nancy Buckner
- Jane Elizabeth Burdeshaw
- Shelly Chavira
- Chris Comstock
- Reid Dove
- Matthew Dudley
- Brandon Glover
- Andre Harrison
- Harry Hobbs
- Ron Houston
- Christy Knowles
- Julie Kornegay
- Dr. Neil Lamb
- Richard Landolt
- Jon Macklem
- Brooks McClendon
- Nick Moore
- Margaret Morton
- Joseph B. Morton
- David Niesen
- Joe Patton
- Stacia Robinson
- Kevin Savoy
- Chandra Scott
- Peggy Sease-Fain
- Charisse Stokes
- Gordon Stone
- Chris Stricklin
- David Walters
- Lamar Whitaker
- Rolf Wrona
The Alabama Workforce Board will oversee all state workforce development programs, ensuring alignment with education and economic development efforts. The Executive Committee will also provide strategic direction, including an annual budget recommendation, while working to increase Alabama’s labor force participation rate.
The board’s focus on business engagement is expected to enhance the state’s workforce outcomes. Phil Webb expressed excitement about the initiative, saying, “Greater industry engagement will reinforce our focus on workforce results, creating a more effective utilization of the state’s resources.”
In addition to these appointments, Governor Ivey also announced members of the Alabama Growth Alliance, a public-private partnership aimed at driving economic growth through collaborative strategies:
- Angus Cooper, III, President of Cooper Group
- Helena Duncan, President & CEO of the Business Council of Alabama
- Macke Mauldin, President & CEO of Bank Independent
- Jimmy Rane, Chairman & CEO of Great Southern Wood Preserving
- John Turner, President & CEO of Regions Financial Corp.
- Allison Ross, Entrepreneur and Former Owner of Yellowhammer News (Lieutenant Governor Appointee)
- Jeff Peoples, Chairman, President & CEO of Alabama Power (Senate President Pro Tempore Appointee)
- Bruce Culpepper, Former President and U.S. Country Chair of Shell Oil Co. (Speaker of the House Appointee)
The new Alabama Workforce Board and Alabama Growth Alliance will officially begin their work on October 1, 2024, with the goal of enhancing the state’s economic and workforce development strategies for years to come.
