Eight business leaders from across the state have been appointed to the Alabama Growth Alliance (AGA), an initiative aimed at supporting economic growth and innovation.

Gov. Kay Ivey announced the appointments earlier this week, saying the AGA is another milestone in her economic development strategy and legislative package.

Keep reading to find out more about what the initiative will do + who was appointed to the AGA.

Alabama Growth Alliance

The experienced business leaders on the Alabama Growth Alliance will be able to lend key support to the forward-looking strategies outlined in the new economic development plan. #alpolitics https://t.co/eHdMFuRFMY
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) August 7, 2024

This initiative was created when the Working for Alabama legislation passed earlier this year. The goal is bring public and private leadership together to coordinate and strengthen the state’s long-term economic development.

“The experienced business leaders on the Alabama Growth Alliance will be able to lend key support to the forward-looking strategies outlined in the new economic development plan. By working together, we’re building a stronger, more prosperous Alabama for generations to come.”
~ Gov. Kay Ivey

The group has a wide variety of expertise and career paths. It will officially begin work October 1 with Ivey serving as the chair of the Alliance.

The eight members appointed include:

Angus Cooper, III, President of the Mobile-based Cooper Group
Helena Duncan, President and CEO of the Montgomery-based Business Council of Alabama
Macke Mauldin, President and CEO of Bank Independent in Florence
Jimmy Rane, Chairman and CEO of Great Southern Wood Preserving in Abbeville
John Turner, President and CEO of Birmingham-based Regions Financial Corp.
Allison Ross of Huntsville is a consulting, real estate and public relations entrepreneur
Jeff Peoples, Chairman, President and CEO of Birmingham-based Alabama Power
Bruce Culpepper of Guntersville, former President and U.S. Country Chair of Shell Oil Co.

Alabama Workforce Board

I have announced my appointments to the newly established Alabama Workforce Board.

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. #alpolitics https://t.co/AkD7VucDVu
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) August 6, 2024

The appointments to the Growth Alliance follow the governor’s selections for both the Alabama Workforce Board and its Executive Committee.

The Alabama Workforce Transformation Act, a key part of the legislative package, created a Board and Executive Committee as part of the framework for Ivey’s overhaul of the state’s workforce development initiatives.

Empowered by the Alabama Workforce Transformation Act, the state is merging Alabama’s two existing state workforce boards to form the Alabama Workforce Board. Ivey also appointed members to the Executive Committee of the Alabama Workforce Board including: