Trucker elected as head of the Business Council of Alabama

The Business Council of Alabama board of directors has elected Dothan businessman Jeff Coleman as chairman of the business advocacy organization for 2017.

Coleman, president and CEO of Coleman Worldwide Moving, succeeds 2016 Chairman Tommy Lee, president and CEO of Vulcan Inc. in Foley. Coleman, the BCA’s 2016 first vice chairman, takes office Jan. 1 and Lee becomes immediate-past chairman.

“This is an honor,” said Coleman, who welcomed new BCA board members. He promised an aggressive agenda for 2017, which will include promoting infrastructure development, access to affordable and adequate health care, and business support for education excellence to create a workforce for Alabama business.

The board that met Dec. 2 at the Harbert Center also elected other officers for 2017: Volkert President and CEO Perry Hand of Mobile, the BCA’s second vice chairman, was elected first-vice chairman and chairman of ProgressPAC, the BCA’s political arm; the BCA’s 2016 secretary, Mike Kemp, president and CEO Kemp Management Solutions, Birmingham, was elected second-vice chairman.

The board re-elected Fournier J. “Boots” Gale III, senior vice president & general counsel of Regions Financial Corp., as BCA legal counsel. Charles Nailen, president/owner of BBG Specialty Foods Inc., of Dothan, was re-elected as treasurer. BCA board member Denson Henry, vice president of Henry Brick Co. in Selma, was elected secretary.

The board also approved the BCA’s State Legislative Agenda for 2017.

During the annual meeting of the BCA and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, Lee ceremoniously passed the BCA chairman’s gavel to Coleman, who presented Lee with a memento of appreciation.

It was a framed No. 18 NFL jersey of retired Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning, the BCA Chairman’s Dinner speaker in October. During the annual meeting, Lee conducted an entertaining Q&A with Manning.