MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) has announced its leadership positions for 2022. The new slate of BCA officers, executive committee members and board of directors was approved at its recent annual meeting.
Mike Kemp has been elected as BCA’s 36th chairman, succeeding Gary Smith. Kemp is BCA’s first African American chairman and has been a longtime leader within BCA. He previously served as the organization’s first vice chairman, an executive committee member, and chairman of ProgressPAC, BCA’s political arm.
“It has been an honor to have served as BCA’s chairman and I look forward to continuing to support BCA under Mike’s leadership,” said Gary Smith, the president and CEO of Andalusia-based PowerSouth Energy Cooperative. “BCA is a consistent and strong voice for the business community and an advocate for creating and sustaining economic opportunities for families across Alabama,” Smith added. “Mike will provide guidance that will enable BCA to continue working to foster a pro-jobs business climate in every corner of Alabama.”
Kemp is the founder, president and CEO of Birmingham’s KMS (formerly Kemp Management Solutions), a program management and consulting company. He is known throughout Alabama’s business community as an innovative, results oriented entrepreneur with a talent for bringing businesses of all sizes and sectors together to meet their objectives. He has planned and managed more than 1,500 construction projects valued at over $6.8 billion.
Kemp holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from UAB and an associate of arts degree in Mathematics from Alabama State University. He serves on several corporate and community boards, including: First Horizon Bank, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama, Downtown Rotary Club of Birmingham, and Operation HOPE.
“BCA has been the foundation of business advocacy for 35 years, and I am honored to step into this position that so many talented individuals have held before me. I am extremely optimistic about what we can accomplish if we communicate, innovate and work together. BCA is a member driven organization, and I am going to draw on the talents and experience of our leadership team and membership to meet our goals. BCA always acts in the best interest of our state, our employers and their families and that will not change,” Kemp added.
“In 2021 under Gary Smith’s leadership, BCA experienced a very successful year in membership growth, membership events and political advocacy,” stated BCA interim executive director Robin Stone. “Mike has a deep background of BCA leadership experience and knows our issues and our members extremely well. Mike brings people together and is always looking for innovative solutions and new opportunities for positive change. He will have an immediate impact on BCA, the members we serve, and the state,” Stone added.
The BCA leadership announcement also included its other leadership positions, including officers, executive committee members, board of directors and policy committee chairs.
BCA Officers
Board Chairman
Mike Kemp – KMS
1st Vice Chairman
Angus Cooper, III – Cooper/T. Smith Corp.
2nd Vice Chairman
John Turner – Regions Bank
General Counsel
Jim Proctor – McWane, Inc.
Secretary
Charisse Stokes – Tidal IT Solutions
Treasurer
Gary Smith – PowerSouth Energy Cooperative
Interim Executive Director
Robin Stone – BCA
Executive Committee Members
Mike Kemp – KMS
Angus Cooper – Cooper/T. Smith Corporation
John Turner – Regions Bank
Amy Niesen – Alabama Self-Insured Worker’s Compensation Fund
Kevin Savoy – Great Southern Wood Preserving
Tom Hand – Volkert, Inc.
Mark Drew – Protective Life Corporation
Mark Crosswhite – Alabama Power Co.
Stephanie Bryan – Poarch Band of Creek Indians
Tim Vines – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
Rey Almodovar – Intuitive Research and Technology
The full list of BCA’s 2022 board of directors can be found here.
The Business Council of Alabama is Alabama’s foremost voice for business. The BCA is a non-partisan, statewide business association representing the interests and concerns of nearly 1 million working Alabamians through its member companies and its partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. The BCA is Alabama’s exclusive affiliate to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.