Jimmy Parnell | President, CEO and Chairman | ALFA

Parnell is running a company that is in every single community in Alabama, small and large. The farming industry is at the heart of not only Alabama’s economy, but also Alabama’s culture. Every statewide office, congressman, and the vast majority of legislators have constituents in farming. So when ALFA comes to talk to them about issues, they have to listen.

ALFA presidents of years gone by would have occupied a much higher position on this list, but that is not a knock on Parnell. Before he became president, ALFA struggled with the transition from Democratic to Republican control. Their political operation was behind the curve when it came to backing Republicans. That has had a negative impact on their influence on the legislature since 2010, but they are starting to make progress and build stronger alliances within the GOP. The hiring of former Ala. Secretary of State Beth Chapmen was a smart move in Parnell’s efforts to establish a stronger toehold on the Republican side of the aisle.

The ALFA president has only in recent years also become head of their insurance company. Parnell oversees large amounts of investments in and out of the state, and brings tremendous resources to bare to protect both their farming and their insurance interests.

In addition to ALFA’s significant financial resources and an active governmental affairs team, they also have an asset that very few organizations in the state can tap into — an enormous grassroots presence. There are farmers and insurance agents all over the state that can be activated at a moments notice. And it’s all at Parnell’s disposal.