Both an example of mutually beneficial public-private partnerships and how innovation has been especially key amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Alabama’s Hi.Ed continues to find new ways to utilize its unique online platform to connect students to 21st-century jobs.
Yellowhammer News in the fall reported that Hi.Ed, which stands for Hyper-Individualized Education Design, had recently joined Birmingham’s Innovation Depot, which is renowned for helping new and developing startups.
Hi.Ed founder Duwan Walker summarized that the platform is a way “to deliver students to careers,” allowing students to identify, explore and prepare for career pathways. This includes not only four-year degrees but also two-year degrees and skills training. (more…)
Sources say Anita Archia, BCA’s Senior Vice President for Intergovernmental Affairs, will soon announce her departure from the business advocacy group to become Montgomery’s Deputy Mayor.
Archie has headed up the Business Council’s governmental affairs operation during one of the most successful stretches in its history. The BCA was named Yellowhammer’s Top Association in 2012, and Archie has appeared on both the 2012 and 2013 Power & Influence 40 lists as one of the top players in state government.
Her previous experience at Alabama’s two year college system, which is one of state government’s most wide-reaching agencies, provided her with a vast network and gave her significant experience on education and workforce development issues. She’ll now be putting her skill set to use for the citizens of Montgomery.
Montgomery’s longtime Deputy Mayor, Jeff Downes, retired in early June after working for the city for a quarter century. He is now City Manager for Vestavia Hills in the Birmingham area.
BCA Chairman & CEO Billy Canary has made a string of quality hires to run his lobbying shop, most recently with Archie and Quintin Riggins — who is now at Alabama Power. Competition to succeed Archie will be intense as the BCA post is one of the most coveted governmental affairs positions in the state.
Related:
1. Video Showcases Downtown Montgomery
2. Anita Archie named one of the most powerful & influential people in Alabama politics for second consecutive year
3. BCA named Yellowhammer’s Top Association of 2012
What else is going on?
1. Bentley rakes in the cash
2. Did the Huntsville Stars and Minor League Baseball cave to liberal pressure?
3. PSC approves rate and revenue reductions for Mobile Gas
4. Alabama ‘Stand your ground’ law remains in spotlight
5. Secretary of State Beth Chapman resigning
The Yellowhammer Power & Influence 40 is a list of the 40 most powerful and influential players in Alabama politics. For a more in-depth explanation of the list and how it was compiled, click here. To see last year’s list click HERE.
Here’s the schedule of when the names will be released:
Monday, Feb. 18: Names 31-40
Tuesday, Feb. 19: Names 21-30
Wednesday, Feb. 20: “Who’s Next?” a preview of the next generation of power players
Thursday, Feb. 21: Names 11-20
Friday, Feb. 22: Names 6-10
Monday, Feb. 25: Names 1-5
John Ross | Partner | Swatek, Azbell, Howe & Ross
Ross has quickly built a reputation as one of the hardest working lobbyists in the game, but his political work is what sets him apart from most of the other folks walking the halls of the State House. His time as Executive Director of the ALGOP and his subsequent campaign work make him one of the most seasoned political operatives in the state. On top of that, his relationship with House Speaker Mike Hubbard is as close as anyone’s. “In some ways, he’s Hubbard’s closest confidant,” one insider told Yellowhammer. “The Speaker trusts him implicitly.”
Philip Bryan | Chief of Staff | Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh
Bryan is now in his his third year running the Pro Tem’s office. His influence is enhanced by his craftiness and political savvy, skills he honed during his time as communications director at the ALGOP. Information is the grease that keeps the State House wheels turning, and Bryan has positioned himself as a one-stop-shop for intel on issues of politics, policy and Senate operations. He makes sure the trains are running on time on the 7th floor.
Angi Stalnaker | Political Adviser | Governor Robert Bentley
Very few people exercise their power and influence as much as Stalnaker. As the Governor’s political adviser, she’s in the game almost every moment of the day. She’s working the phones constantly, and when she calls people know the weight of the governor is behind her. She has been intensely loyal to Bentley since long before he rose to the Governor’s office. Now she’s the go-to person for his day-to-day political operation. She’s also become the conduit between the administration and grassroots conservatives across the state.
Johnny Johns | CEO | Protective Life Corporation, Chairman | Birmingham Business Alliance
If you’re looking to run for statewide or federal office, or if you’re a prominent elected official launching a major initiative, Johnny Johns is one of the first people you call. The longtime Birmingham area CEO has been a staple in Alabama politics for years. He’s one of a handful of Alabama businessmen who has unfettered access to any politician in the state. His network of business leaders is second to none. He’s also getting more and more involved with the University of Alabama system, something that will likely continue.
John McMahon, Jr. | Chairman | Ligon Industries, Board of Trustees | University of Alabama
McMahon has his hands in every major political issue in Alabama. He continues to keep an eye on the courts where he played a major role in years past in the effort to flip them Republicans. Like other business leaders on this list, it’s challenging to quantify his political power and influence — and he probably likes it that way. But we can at least know this for certain: when McMahon calls, people always answer.
Nick Sellers | Vice President of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs | Alabama Power
Sellers is a fast riser inside Alabama Power with a wealth of experience in both politics and public policy. He worked under Joe Perkins at Matrix and was Governor Siegelman’s policy director before becoming the power company’s federal legislative director. He also previously worked for the Alabama Republican Party, making his political background extremely diverse. Those who know him or his work say his Party affiliation is neither D, nor R — it’s A, as in APCo. Because Alabama Power is a regulated utility, his current role overseeing regulatory affairs is one of the most important at the company. He’s developed good relationships with federal and state elected officials along the way, and has a reputation for knowing every nook and cranny of APCO’s business. “He’ll continue to rise,” one insider told Yellowhammer. “Don’t forget, [APCO CEO] McCrary once held this same title.”
Clay Ryan | Head of Governmental and Regulatory Affairs | Maynard Cooper & Gale
Since serving as Governor Bentley’s transition coordinator, Ryan has been a central player in the Bentley Administration. At the time we published last year’s Power & Influence 40, he was Special Counsel to the Governor. Since that time, he has returned to private practice, where he represents a blue chip list of corporate clients. Ryan coordinated the successful Sept. 18 referendum and the Jobs Amendment campaigns on behalf of the Governor. Bentley political world is heavily influenced by a group of Tuscaloosa confidants with whom Ryan interfaces on behalf of the Governor. He also continues to be an important bridge to the Birmingham business community for the Governor and other elected officials. Campaign season may propel Ryan up next year’s list as his role inside the Bentley re-election effort will be significant.
Roy Moore | Chief Justice | Alabama Supreme Court
Judge Moore defeated two big names to reclaim his old job as Chief Justice. However, his appearance on the Power & Influence 40 is less about his position as head of the judicial branch, and more about his unique appeal to the conservative base and his national profile. Although he’s had mixed electoral success, he has gained a well deserved following among evangelicals and grassroots conservatives who view him as the foremost authority on religious liberty and other social issues. Judge Moore is one of only a handful of people in Alabama politics who can take their message directly to the people and move the needle. That’s a different type of power than most people on this list carry.
Dave Stewart | Senior Advisor for Government Affairs & Economic Development | Bradley, Arant, Boult, Cummings
Stewart’s time as Governor Bob Riley’s chief of staff gave him the opportunity to establish relationships with people in seemingly every government agency. He’s extremely effective for his clients when dealing with executive branch agencies and in influencing the budget process. Stewart maintains close ties to Republican leadership in the legislature — and their staffs — which keeps him in the mix on both the 5th and 7th floors of the State House.
Anita Archie | Senior Vice President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Advocacy & Legal Advisor | Business Council of Alabama
Archie is the head of governmental affairs at the BCA, which was named Yellowhammer’s top Association in 2012. Her relationships on both sides of the aisle make her one of the most liked and respected people at the State House among both legislators and her fellow lobbyists. Her time at the two year college system, which is one of state government’s most wide-reaching agencies, provided her with a vast network and gave her significant experience on education and workforce development issues. BCA’s Progress PAC continues to be one of the largest contributors in state level politics.
“Best and Worst Week in Montgomery” is a weekly feature on Yellowhammer Politics in which we recognize the people or organizations who had the BEST week or WORST week in town. You can view last week’s debut edition here. If you would like to nominate someone for this feature in the future, send us an email through our contact page.
Best Week in Montgomery: Business Council of Alabama
I saw both BCA President & CEO Billy Canary and Senior VP Anita Archie in the halls of the State House this week. They were all smiles — and for good reason. A slew of BCA supported legislation passed this week including charter schools, the taxpayer bill of rights, single point business tax filing, and a bill that lowered the school start age to 6. In addition to that, BCA member companies announced 1,400 new jobs this week.
However, the toughest fight may have been over a bill the BCA was opposed to. An NRA-backed/BCA-opposed bill that would allow employees to bring their guns with them to work (oversimplification but that’s the general idea) was killed Thursday evening right at the close of business. Thursday was the last day for bills that originated in the Senate to pass without unanimous consent. So the BCA closed out the week with yet another victory.
For racking up win after win in the legislature — The Business Council of Alabama had the Best Week in Montgomery.
Worst Week in Montgomery: The Alabama Education Association
AEA Chief Henry Mabry has spent most of the 2012 session shooting at the Education Options Act, commonly known as the Charter Schools Bill. We’ve grown accustomed to “creative tactics” from the AEA over the years. However, trying to convince folks that charter schools would usher in a new era of muslim control in Alabama under sharia law was extra impressive — even by AEA standards. But when the dust settled on Thursday, the Senate had passed a charter schools bill.
Passage of Sen. Brewbaker’s Education Options Act sparked a flurry of activity on social networks by both liberals and conservatives. Liberals were screaming that the sky was falling and conservatives were concerned that the bill didn’t create a clear enough path for charter schools to be formed. What everyone needs to remember though is that the process is not over. The bill is now headed to more-charter-friendly-territory in the House and this bill will undoubtedly end the session in different shape than it is in right now.
As I mentioned in the BCA post above, Thursday was the last day that a Senate-originated bill could pass without unanimous consent. So if the Education Options Act had not passed today, it would have been dead. The only thing school choice advocates needed was a vehicle for charter schools to get out of the Senate. To the AEA’s dismay, that’s exactly what they got.
For laying down on the train track to stop charter schools, only to be run over by the school choice locomotive — the AEA had the Worst Week in Montgomery.