About
Our business is to serve your business. Established in 2009, the BBA is the first stop destination for businesses currently operating or considering an operation in Birmingham. BBA is the chamber of commerce and economic development organization for the Greater Birmingham Region. Our mission is to help businesses start, stay and succeed in the seven-county Greater Birmingham Region. Helping businesses get connected to invaluable resources and tools, network with key business leaders and get involved with the Greater Birmingham Region business community is at the forefront of everything we do.
We are responsible for the business chamber operations and event management. Our goal is to build and foster relationships with local businesses, while also acting as liaisons to other departments and services within our organization.Â
The team oversees recruitment, retention and prospecting of BBA investors, while inspiring and educating through strategically developed programming aimed at providing networking opportunities for businesses of all sizes. Our team is focused on ensuring businesses maximize their investments.Â
We support investors and their growth by managing and facilitating ribbon cuttings, grand openings and groundbreakings, coupled with promotion in our weekly newsletter and published across our social media channels. Additionally, we work with investors to identify sponsorship opportunities for our signature events.
We provide economic development services for businesses in the seven-county Greater Birmingham Region that include workforce development and relocation assistance. We have a team of professional economic developers that offers confidential, customized services for companies looking to expand or locate.
We provide support by connecting small businesses to valuable resources and relationships. We work closely with business development partners to help companies with a mindset and appetite for growth to reach their strategic goals. As the entrepreneurs that we serve each year execute their vision, they benefit from exposure to events and programs that will allow them to join the ranks of the most prominent and successful businesses in the Greater Birmingham Region. We do this through a variety of ways, including the Inclusive Procurement Council and our Supplier Scale Team Up cohorts.
We are committed to fostering economic growth in the Greater Birmingham Region. Our public policy division plays a crucial role in achieving this goal by advocating for policies that support business development and innovation. We work closely with local, state, and federal governments to identify and address key issues impacting our region's economic prosperity. We also represent and advocate the interests of the business community to elected officials for policies that promote economic growth, research, infrastructure and workforce development.
The BBA Foundation was established in 1988 as a non-profit corporation that fosters business growth and educational advancement in the greater Birmingham region. The Foundation is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service, and it supports its mission through grant programs and corporate contributions. Small Business Intensive and Magic City HBCU Breakfast are two examples of programs and events supported by the Foundation.
Meet Our Team:
2025 Officers of the BBA Board of Directors
These key individuals commit their time and resources to lead the Birmingham Business Alliance as it works to ensure the region’s economic growth, prosperity and quality of life.
Joe Hampton
Spire
Chair Person of the Board
Nick Willis
PNC
Vice Chair of the Board
Denson (D.) Franklin
Vulcan Materials Company
Vice Chair of Public Policy
Craft O’Neal
O'Neal Industries
Vice Chair of Finance
Greg Curran
Maynard Nexsen
Immediate Past Chairperson of the Board
Steve Ammons
Birmingham Business Alliance
President & Chief Executive Officer
Melissa Sahagun
Birmingham Business Alliance
Vice President of Finance
Bing Edwards
Fortif Law Partners
Secretary
2025 Board of Directors
The members of the Board of Directors of the Birmingham Business Alliance serve as volunteers in support of the organization and its mission as a dynamic advocate, unifying voice, and constant catalyst for economic development and business prosperity for the Greater Birmingham Region.the Members of the Board of Directors of the Birmingham Business Alliance serve as volunteers in support of the organization and its mission as a dynamic advocate, unifying voice and constant catalyst for economic development and business prosperity for the Greater Birmingham Region.
Bolded names are on the executive committee
* ex-officio
* ex-officio
Edward Aldag – Medical Properties Trust
Nelson Bean – Synovus
Rich Bielen – Protective
Stan Blanton – Balch & Bingham
Mike Bolin* – Jefferson County Commission
Alexia Borden – Brasfield & Gorrie
Frank Brocato* – City of Hoover
Turner Burton – Hoar Construction
Allen Cope – Honda
Greg Curran – Maynard Nexsen
Matthew Dent – Buffalo Rock Company
Bob Dickerson – Foundation Cap
Nathaniel Drummond – Drummond Company
D. Franklin – Vulcan Materials Company
Will French – Dunn Investment Company
Lori Goodson – Ernst & Young
Joe Hampton – Spire
Raymond Harbert – Harbert Management Corporation
Charlie Hartman – McWane, Inc.
Debra Hays – Concert IDC
Jimmy Johnston – Autocar
Bobbie Knight – Miles College
Lucy Marsh – Thompson Tractor Company
April Mason – Burr & Forman
Ron Mathieu* – Birmingham Airport Authority
Clayton Mobley – Abacus Investments
Kevin Morris – America's First
Alex Morton – First Horizon
Bill Morton – Robins & Morton
Nicole Newell – The JM Smucker Co.
Steven Nichols – Mercedes-Benz
Craft O'Neal – O'Neal Industries
Ned Rand – ProAssurance
Andy Robison – Bradley
Selena Rodgers-Dickerson – Sarcor, LLC
Clay Ryan – Alabama Power Company
Chad Scroggins* – Shelby County Commission
Linda Seal – Shipt
Lee Smith – SmartBank
Kyle Smith – Dentons Sirote
Jimmie Stephens* – Jefferson County Commission
Lee Styslinger – Altec
Mike Suco – Coca-Cola Bottling Company United
Mark Tarr – Encompass Health
Beck Taylor – Samford University
Hugh Thomas – The Onin Group
David Turner – Cadence Bank
Mac Underwood - Birmingham Water Works
Thibaut van Marcke – Orlando Health
Tim Vines – BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama
Jabo Waggoner* – Alabama Legislature
Tricia Wallwork – Milo's Tea Company
Ray Watts* – UAB
Mark Whiteside – Truist Bank
Ralph Williams – Alabama Power Company
Nick Willis – PNC
Brian Willman – Regions Bank
Randall Woodfin* – City of Birmingham