Gov. Bob Riley praised the members of the Alabama Rural Action Commission gathered at the state Capitol and said they shouldn't underestimate their power to change these areas. But he also told them to remember that they are "going to be judged by the results."

Members of the commission have been divided into smaller groups assigned to specific regions of the state. These groups will focus on improving health care, education, economic and workforce development.

"With every region in the state competing, it's going to be up to the people in this room," he said.

Riley warned that a group that isn't aggressive could see its region lose jobs to nearby areas.

The commission's co-chairman, Alabama Banking Superintendent John Harrison, echoed Riley's comments.

"Our opportunity is in our own hands," he said.

The program duplicates Riley's Black Belt Action Commission, which was created in 2004. The governor has credited its members for improving the quality of life in that 12-county region.

Riley's office in a statement said the new commission was brought together after citizens in other parts of the state requested a similar group for their area.

"You're going to see this state go through a metamorphosis," Riley said.

Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford, who is a co-chairman of the group focused on an area including Montgomery, Autauga and Elmore counties, said he believes the rural action commission can have similar success.

"I want the same thing happening here," he said.

Former state Sen. Gerald Dial of Lineville will serve as the commission's executive director. Margaret Bentley, an area manager for Alabama Power Company, is co-chairwoman of the commission. Bentley also is co-chairwoman of the Black Belt Action Commission.

The rural commission also includes U.S. Reps. Jo Bonner and Mike Rogers; former U.S. Rep. Ronnie Flippo; Bill Taylor, president and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International; state Sen. Bobby Singleton of Greensboro; state Rep. Cam Ward of Alabaster; and other business, political and community leaders.

Bentley predicted success, referring to "The Wisdom of Crowds," a book by New Yorker columnist James Surowiecki that praises groups as often being smarter than its smartest members.

"They make better decisions, they get better results," she said.

Bentley added: "We will work together to make sure this is a tremendous success."