Alabama Business Hall of Fame inducts 8 new members

On Thursday, November 10, the Alabama Business Hall of Fame inducted eight new members for 2022 in a ceremony hosted at Haven in downtown Birmingham. Over 600 attendees from across the state gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of these inductees. Keep reading to learn more.

About the Alabama Business Hall of Fame

Founded in 1973 by the Board of Visitors of the Culverhouse College of Business at The University of Alabama, the Alabama Business Hall of Fame honors the outstanding accomplishments of individuals who have brought lasting fame to the State of Alabama. In order to qualify, inductees must meet the following criteria:

• A candidate must have by his or her business accomplishments, whether they occurred in Alabama or not, brought fame and honor to the state of Alabama.
• He/She should have made a significant impact on the development of their community and state by promoting the free enterprise system and entrepreneurship; by demonstrating civic leadership, philanthropy, and humanitarianism toward fellow citizens
• All candidates must have been in retirement at least three (3) years, except those who are 65 years of age and older prior to the date of induction and who are still active in their careers

Notable past inductees include Bill L. Harbert, Miller Gorrie, Patricia “Sister Schubert” Barnes and A.G. Gaston. Click here to view the entire list of past inductees.

Meet the 2022 Inductees

Mr. Walter Batson, Jr. — Huntsville

Walter Batson, Jr. is co-founder and Chairman of the Board of InterFuze Corporation, a Huntsville-based firm offering professional and technological products and services to the federal government. Mr. Batson attended The University of Alabama, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in statistics and accounting and a master’s in operations research.

Mr. F. Dixon Brooke, Jr. of Birmingham

F. Dixon Brooke, Jr. is the retired CEO and President of EBSCO Industries, Inc., a diversified company with stakes in information services, real estate and insurance. Born in Birmingham, Mr. Brooke earned a bachelor’s in business administration from Auburn University.

Mr. Ronald G. Bruno of Vestavia Hills

Ronald G. Bruno is Co-founder and Partner at Bruno Event Team, one of the largest dedicated sports event management companies in the country. He earned his bachelor’s in marketing from The University of Alabama.

Mr. Grayson Hall of Birmingham

Grayson Hall is the retired CEO of Regions Bank. His leadership and vision helped the bank emerge stronger from the Great Recession. He attended Sewanee: The University of the South and graduated with a bachelor’s in economics, then The University of Alabama, where he earned an MBA.

Secretary Alexis M. Herman — Washington, D.C.

Alexis M. Herman is the Chair and CEO of New Ventures, LLC, a risk management company. Born in Mobile, Mrs. Herman earned her bachelor’s of sociology at Xavier University. She was the first African-American woman to serve as Assistant to the President under Bill Clinton, and Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison, and was later the first African-American to ever serve as Secretary of the Department of Labor.

Mr. Michael Mouron — Birmingham

Michael Mouron is a retired Chairman of Capstone Development Corp, a real estate development company that created a new model for college campus housing. A native of Birmingham, Mr. Mouron earned his bachelor’s of accounting from The University of Alabama.

Mr. William S. Propst, Sr. — Huntsville

William S. Propst, Sr. started and led Qualitest Pharmaceuticals, one of the largest generic drug manufacturers in the country. Born in Walkers Chapel, Alabama, Mr. Propst earned his bachelor’s of pharmacy at Samford University.

The award of inductee Mr. William S. Propst, Sr., who passed away in 2019, was accepted by his widow, Eloise Propst, and son, Bill Propst Jr.

Mr. C. Kemmons Wilson, Jr. — Memphis, TN

C. Kemmons Wilson, Jr. is Principal and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kemmons Wilson Companies, a family-owned organization with diverse business interests. Mr. Wilson, who goes by “Kem,” earned his bachelor’s of business administration at The University of Alabama, and studied business at the Harvard Graduate School of Business.

What do you think of the Alabama Business Hall of Fame Class of 2022? Tag us on social media at @thebamabuzz to let us know!