Governor Riley Appoints Leadership Team for the Central Alabama
Action Commission

MONTGOMERY – On Tuesday, May 8 th , Governor Bob Riley unveiled his new Alabama Rural Action Commission. Governor Riley met with members of the new ARAC at the State Capitol and charged the new leadership team with building partnerships to improve the quality of life in rural Alabama .

Governor Riley created the new initiative in order to build on the success of the Black Belt Action Commission, which he created in 2004. The Black Belt Action Commission now has over 800 volunteers who are working together to improve health, education, and living standards in Alabama 's Black Belt counties.

Governor Riley said “I am excited about taking the model of the Black Belt Action Commission statewide. We have put in place a strong group of leaders who will help to involve local citizens and to build the partnerships needed to bring more progress to our rural communities.”

The ARAC is comprised of the entire state divided into eight regions. The Central Alabama Action Commission is Region 3 of the ARAC. Gerald Dial, former State Senator from Lineville, serves as the Executive Director for the entire Alabama Rural Action Commission.

The Rural Action Commission will begin by focusing on measurably improving health care, education, economic development and workforce development in rural areas.

The following are the list of citizens who have been appointed by Governor Riley to lead the rural efforts for the Central Alabama Action Commission.

Deputy Chair: Mr. Charles Ball
Regional Co-Chair: Mr. Paul Glass
Regional Co-Chair: Rep. Cam Ward
Economic Development Co-Chair: Dr. Lowell Broom
Economic Development Co-Chair: Debbie Hawkins
Education Committee Chair: Dr. Jack Riley
Health Committee Co-Chair: Mrs. Tracy Smith
Health Committee Co-Chair: Mrs. Andrea Anderson-Nix
Workforce Development Chair: Mr. Ronald Scott