Committees, Councils & Roundtables
As an investor of the BBA, you and your business have the opportunity to participate in a number of committees. BBA committees are a great way to network and learn how to grown your business. Below are brief descriptions of the committees along with the appropriate BBA staff contact.
African American Business Council
Organization of African American BBA members who meet monthly to network, share business information, formulate solutions to business challenges as well as offer regional business enhancement recommendations to the BBA's Board of Directors. Chaired by Alicia White, owner of JMA Enterprises. For more information, LeNa' Powe at lpowe@birminghambusinessalliance.com.
Ambassadors Committee
Ambassadors assist in increasing membership retention by making outreach calls new members and attending BBA events each month. Ambassadors also serve as goodwill representatives, volunteering time to represent and inform members of the opportunities through BBA investments. Chaired by Elise Frey of Snelling Personnel Services. BBA staff contact is Demeta McKnight at dmcknight@birminghambusinessalliance.com.
Entrepreneur's Roundtable Program
Multiple groups of business owners meet monthly to share in confidence, their business experiences. It is open to any BBA member business owner, but participants are solely selected by the current roundtable members via an application process. Participation must be approved due to the confidential nature of discussions. Each roundtable has an individual Chair. The roundtable program is chaired by Dan Pahos of Home Instead Senior Care. For more information contact LeNa' Powe at lpowe@birminghambusinessalliance.com.
Executive Women’s Roundtables
The roundtables address issues of personal and professional growth for women business owners and top-level executives. Participants attend monthly lunch meetings which include opportunities for information gathering, problem solving and networking. Participants are solely selected by the current roundtable members via an application process. For more information contact LeNa' Powe at lpowe@birminghambusinessalliance.com.
Finance and Taxation Committee
This group is comprised of tax and finance professionals who address issues relating to state and federal tax reform and tax policy, appropriate funding sources for transit, and public policy issues relating to economic development incentives. This committee meets on an ad hoc basis and provides expert guidance to the Governmental Affairs Committee as well as the BBA Executive Committee. Chaired by Bradley Sklar of Sirote & Permutt, P.C. BBA staff contact is Alison Howell at ahowell@birminghambusinessalliance.com.
Governmental Affairs Committee
The Governmental Affairs committee recommends issues for the BBA's state and federal legislative agendas, working both in Montgomery and Washington to ensure funding and positioning. Chaired by Michael Davis of Balch & Bingham LLP. BBA staff contact is Alison Howell at ahowell@birminghambusinessalliance.com.
Hispanic Business Council (HBC)
The council assists Hispanic-owned businesses and Hispanic business professionals through networking and educational activities. It offers a forum for sharing business information and seeks to increase awareness of the growing Hispanic population within the Birmingham region. Chaired by Maria Norena of the Minority Health and Research Center at UAB. For more information, please contact LeNa' Powe at lpowe@birminghambusinessalliance.com.
Small Business Council
The members of the council are responsible for coordinating seminars that support the growth and development of small business as well as plan Small Business Week -- a celebration of the creativity and energy of entrepreneurs during the second week of May. Small Business Week creates awareness of the significant contributions that small businesses make to our economy. Meetings are scheduled for the fourth Wednesday of each month at the BBA. Committee membership is open to those that desire to promote small business and entrepreneurship and are willing to contribute to the success of the council. Chaired by Richard Wallace of Organizational Success Management. For more info, please contact LeNa' Powe at lpowe@birminghambusinessalliance.com.
The Regional Existing Business Consortium (REBC)
The Regional Existing Business Consortium (REBC) focuses on business retention and expansion. The REBC is a regional affiliation of Economic Development organizations and professionals. These organizations work closely with the BBA and partner with utilities, government offices, and non-profit organizations to retain and expand businesses and industries throughout the area.
REBC members sit down one-on-one with business owners to gauge the pulse of the business community. The purpose of the visit is multifaceted with an emphasis of identifying specific issues that are impacting operations, profitability and viability. Additionally, data gathered during the survey is used on a macro level to determine regional trends that will aid in the formulation of programs to address workforce development, legislative priorities, and ongoing strategies to improve the region’s business climate.
For more information on specific aspects of the Regional Existing Business Consortium, visit the following links:
To arrange a visit from a member of the REBC, please contact 205-324-2100, or fill out our Business Information Form.