MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Governor Kay Ivey congratulated the Alabama Military Stability Foundation for selecting Robert La Branche of Huntsville to head the foundation that works to ensure the stability of Alabama’s military resources.
“I commend the Alabama Military Stability Foundation on their selection of Robert La Branche to serve as executive director,” Governor Ivey said. “Robert’s dedication to our nation’s military will be a major contributor to the success of both organizations.
Governor Ivey chairs the Alabama Military Stability Commission, which, along with the foundation, works to protect Alabama-assigned Department of Defense resources by the study and evaluation of all currently assigned military forces or civilian contractors, as well as the move of these resources within, to and from Alabama.
“As chair of the Military Stability Commission, I value the partnership of the Foundation in financially supporting the work of the commission,” Governor Ivey said. “Alabamians are steadfast in our support for our military, as is Robert. I’ve known Robert for several years and am confident that he will be exceptional in furthering Alabama’s commitment to protecting our nation.”
In March 2014 when she was lieutenant governor, Governor Ivey spoke to the Business Council of Alabama’s Tuesday briefing about the military’s important presence in Alabama.
“Their economic impact is $17 billion,” Governor Ivey said. “We’re determined to maintain our military assets across the state.”
Governor Ivey said the commission’s goal is to protect Alabama’s four military missions – the Anniston Army Depot, Fort Rucker, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, and Redstone Arsenal – against cuts under future Base Realignment and Closure actions.
La Branche is an aerospace and defense consultant at Principal of Real Strategies LLC in Huntsville. He also serves as regional deputy director for Public Policy for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
The 2006 Huntingdon College graduate was a 2009 graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and in 2012 he earned his master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
La Branche had an eight-year career as an aerospace, defense, and foreign policy staffer in the Washington, D.C., offices of Sen. Jeff Sessions, and other members of the Alabama, Florida, and Texas congressional delegations.
“I am honored to have been selected by the Alabama Military Stability Foundation to serve as executive director and once again assist our great state’s defense community. Alabama and our people have a rich heritage of answering the call to serve our nation through the armed forces,” La Branche said. “I look forward to working with the Foundation, the Commission, Governor Ivey and community leaders throughout Alabama to preserve and expand our military assets and missions.”
His appointment was effective in April.