The Business Council of Alabama announced the expansion of its government and public relations teams to include two professionals who are already well acquainted in Montgomery and D.C., alike.

Caroline Franklin will serve as BCA’s director of governmental affairs and executive director of ProgressPAC alongside Paul Shashy with SR Communications as political strategist.

Franklin served as communications director for State Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield before taking a role in Washington, D.C., with Rep. Jodey Arrington, who now chairs the House Budget Committee. She is also an alum of the offices of Sen. Richard Shelby and Rep. Martha Roby.

Shashy, founder of SR Communications, has managed the campaigns of Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt. He also has played an integral role in many of the state’s most impactful political campaigns and public affairs projects of the past decade, including the Rebuild Alabama Act and Connect Alabama initiative. SR Communications handles the public relations for a variety of clients including the Alabama Senate Republican Caucus and McPherson Oil Products.

“BCA is the voice for Alabama businesses, representing nearly one million working Alabamians,” BCA President and CEO Helena Duncan said. “With the hiring of Caroline Franklin and SR Communications, that voice will become even stronger and more influential.”

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. Follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 for coverage of the 2023 Legislative Session.