With more than 20 years of experience as a board certified family medicine practitioner, Dr. Julia Boothe is the founder of Pickens County Primary Care in Reform. She also serves as the president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, where she is working to promote the state’s new telehealth law and the […]

As a product of her environment, Donna Jo Curtis is proud to carry on the legacy that was handed to her. Her family’s farming heritage inspired her career in agriculture and prepared her to eventually run a cattle ranch of her own. After 35 years of running Curtis Farms and serving Alabama’s agriculture industry in […]

Tuskegee University has a new partnership with Amazon that will establish advanced training programs in mechatronics, robotics, supply chain management and logistics operations for students at the Macon County institution. Amazon donated $1.2 million to fund the programs, which will include scholarships and a pipeline for leadership roles at the tech giant. Tuskegee Provost Keith Hargrove said the […]

Team Alabama’s first overseas trade mission in over three years successfully connected a diverse group of growth-minded state companies with counterparts in Germany, potentially setting the stage for new opportunities and partnerships. Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said the five Alabama companies on the mission operate in fields including the life […]

Rebekah Elgin Council exemplifies home-grown roots that run deep. She has a steadfast commitment to the state and unwavering compassion to serve at “The Caring Company” for almost three decades. With a 28-year (and counting) career at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Elgin Council’s corporate success isn’t the only thing that lands her on […]

The Business Council of Alabama, in collaboration with the Alabama Technology Network, have announced the 2022 Manufacturer of the Year awardees. For more than two decades, the Alabama Manufacturer of the Year Awards program has honored the Yellowhammer State’s top manufacturers. The award recipients were recognized in a ceremony Friday at the Alabama Activity Center in […]

It’s often misconstrued that success in leadership means doing it all, having it all, and being all things to all people. But April Benetollo finds herself as a 2022 Woman of Impact because she confidently knows, “it’s not just about doing more, it’s about doing more intentional things.” After a challenging time years ago, a […]

As the U.S. House of Representatives takes its six-week recess, a member of Alabama’s congressional delegation is using the opportunity to hear from the local construction industry. U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile), as part of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Alabama’s hardhat tours, visited construction sites Monday to learn of the industry’s impact […]

Dr. Linda Young has spent nearly her entire professional career in the Alabama Community College System. As president of Wallace Community College-Dothan, Young is passionate about upholding a mission to “create opportunity” while serving students of all ages through the wide variety of educational programs community colleges provide. After graduating from high school in Elba […]

The National Federation of Independent Business announced its endorsement for Alabama’s two highest-ranking elected officials Wednesday. NFIB Alabama PAC, which supports the interests of the state’s small business community, is supporting Gov. Kay Ivey and Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth in their bids for re-election. Additionally, the organization announced its endorsement of Attorney General Steve Marshall […]

A Decatur-built United Launch Alliance Atlas V Rocket launched two satellites Tuesday as part of the Federal Communications Commission’s 5G FAST mission. The SES-20 and SES-21 satellites, operated by worldwide telecommunications network provider SES of Luxembourg, will serve to enhance mobile phone services. Liftoff was 4:36 p.m. CST from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral […]

Last week, a bill made its way through Congress which will enable states to continue small business grant programs designed to spur growth in innovation. In a statement, State Finance Director and Innovate Alabama Chair Bill Poole said the grant program’s reauthorization would allow for the “advancement of our already growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.” The bill, […]

At first glance, Rachel Riddle might look like a sweet people-pleaser – but nothing could be further from the truth. She’s sweet, sure, but she’s no pushover. Her naturally direct disposition is ideal when serving in her role as chief examiner of the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts. “At the end of the […]

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will carry a pair of satellites into orbit Tuesday to help better mobile phone services. Built in ULA’s Decatur facility, the Atlas V rocket will launch the SES-20 and SES-21 satellites for SES of Luxembourg, a worldwide telecommunications network provider. Once separated, the satellites use on-board propulsion systems […]

The 2022 Economic Freedom of the World report confirms what many economists suspected: COVID-19 took a toll on economic freedom in addition to its other impacts. We have lost a decade of progress on freedom. Economic freedom refers to individuals’ ability “to decide how to use their time and their talents to shape their lives.” […]

City of Birmingham leaders joined officials and employees of the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) for a ribbon-cutting launching Birmingham Xpress, Alabama’s first bus rapid transit (BRT) system. The ceremony, held at the CrossPlex Transit Center in the Five Points West neighborhood, attracted about 150 people, including representatives of the federal and community partners in the $64 million project. “We need […]

Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield led a delegation of Alabama business leaders on a trade mission to Germany this week, resuming the strategic trips to overseas commercial hubs that have helped state-based companies explore new markets and partnership opportunities. The journey to Munich and nearby Augsburg is the Alabama Department of Commerce’s first trade and business […]

When Beth Sippel joined First Commercial Bank (then a division of Synovus Bank) in 2004, it was the sixth-largest bank by market share in Madison County. Today, 18 years later, Synovus is the fourth-largest bank in the county and continuing to grow. Over those 18 years, Sippel has held roles as sales manager, working in […]

The nation’s largest small business advocacy group gave its endorsement to Republican U.S. Senate nominee Katie Britt. The National Federation of Independent Business announced the endorsement Friday at Tang’s Alterations in Montgomery. In a statement, NFIB Alabama State Director Rosemary Elebash sang Britt’s praises for her support of the state’s small business community during the […]

Alexis Atkins has seen a lot of changes in the beer industry over the past 46 years. But, to her, it’s the people who matter – from her position as vice president of human resources/principal in co-ownership of Mobile’s Budweiser Busch Distributing to her post as vice chair of the University of South Alabama Board […]

The Business Council of Alabama, through its political arm ProgressPAC, has endorsed 22 additional candidates for the Legislature. This is the BCA’s third round of endorsements in the 2022 legislative races. It includes nominees from both major political parties – incumbents and challengers. ProgressPAC’s full list of endorsements can be viewed here. ProgressPAC Chairman Kevin […]

Huntsville boasts a tremendous amount of incredibly talented engineering professionals that contribute daily to the advancement of the nation’s space exploration ambitions. When speaking on Alabama’s national contributions, be sure to mention the name of Dr. Kimberly Robinson. Her resume truly serves as an inspiration for anyone who aspires to forge a career in aerospace and […]

When Sara Franklin set out on her career as an accredited public relations professional, nothing could have prepared her for the journey she was unknowingly about to take. A Birmingham native, Franklin graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in public relations and communications studies right in the middle of the 2008 financial […]

State Sen. Arthur Orr remembered Gov. Kay Ivey’s response four years ago when the idea of a state cyber technology and engineering high school was made to her. “Let’s do it,” Orr said Ivey told him and local officials and leaders during a visit to the Governor’s Office in 2018. Last Friday, Ivey and Orr […]