Riley Appoint Leadership Team for the Central Alabama Action Commission

MONTGOMERY - Nine area people have been named to serve on a statewide commission created by Gov. Bob Riley to improve the quality of life in rural Alabama.

The members, who come from a variety of backgrounds and work experience, were appointed to represent Region 3 of the Alabama Rural Action Commission. The region is one of eight that make up the commission and included Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Walker counties.

Riley unveiled the rural commission and announced volunteer members earlier this month. The rural commission is designed after the Alabama Black Belt Action Commission, which was created in 2004 to improve living standards in 13 Alabama counties. The commission now has more than 800 volunteers working together to improve health, education, and living standards in 12 south Alabama counties commonly referred to as the Black Belt because of its dark soil.

"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," Riley said.

The Rural Action Commission will begin by focusing on measurably improving health care, education, economic development and workforce development in rural areas, said former state Sen. Gerald Dial of Lineville, who is serving as executive director.

Named to the commission's Region 3 committee are:

Deputy Co-Chair Charles Ball, Birmingham Regional Co-Chairs Paul Glass, Birmingham State Rep. Cam Ward, Alabaster Economic Development Co-Chair Dr. Lowell  Broom, Birmingham Debbie Hawkins, Birmingham Education Committee Co-Chair Dr. Jack Riley, Montevallo

Health Committee Co-Chairs Tracy Smith, Hoover Andrea Anderson-Nix, Birmingham Workforce Development Co-Chairs Ronald Scott, Pelham