On Thursday, State Representative Kyle South was selected as President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama. South will resign from his position in the Alabama House of Representatives to accept the position starting in July, so the district will be represented in the remainder of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. There will be a special election this summer to select a new representative for House District 16 later this year. South is presently serving in his third term representing House District 16.
The Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to hire South Thursday morning.
“The opportunity to lead a 120-year-old business advocacy organization is a challenge that I feel my business experiences and serving as an elected official have prepared me for,” South said in a press release. “The Chamber has a solid reputation for serving businesses by collaborating with national, state, regional, and local government entities. I want to continue to build upon those successes with the team in place at the Chamber and the volunteer network of leaders who recognize what we have here in terms of resources and opportunities.”
South is a native of Fayette. He represents Fayette, Jefferson, Lamar, and Tuscaloosa Counties.
He formerly was the President and General Manager of West Alabama TV Cable Company. The South family-owned cable company was sold in 2019.
“Since the sale of the company and the transition into new ownership, I have been patiently waiting for the right opportunity that allows me to bridge my past work experiences, my love for community, and the ability to affect public policy,” said South when he applied for the Chamber job. “I feel that the Chamber position presents that opportunity, and my political experience is a unique qualifier.”
South was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. He was born and raised in Fayette and received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Alabama. He is the father of two daughters.
“Today’s announcement is a strategic move for the Chamber,” said board chairperson Michele Coley. “Kyle has the business acumen and existing relationships already in place to continue the important role this organization plays in West Alabama to promote economic prosperity and growth. His abilities to tackle tough issues and seek solutions are qualities that will build upon the solid foundation already in place at the Chamber.”
“We would like to thank members of the Executive Search Committee for the many hours invested in the process,” said the Chamber. “Those members include Jheovanny Gomez, Chair-Elect of CCWA, Jalapenos Mexican Grill; Tripp Powell, Immediate Past Chair of CCWA, Yea Alabama; Claude Edwards, Bryant Bank; Matt Fajack, University of Alabama; Chip Fuqua, MBUSI; Katrina Keefer, DCH Health System; Tim Lewis, Tala Professional Services; Blake Madison, Rosen Harwood; Elizabeth Winters, Regions Bank; and Jackie Wuska, United Way of West Alabama.”
The former Director resigned earlier this year to take a job elsewhere.
Gov. Kay Ivey cannot call a special election for HD16 until South formally steps down. This is a strongly Republican district. Alabama Today is being told by Republican insiders that there is little chance of flipping the district to the Democrats. One prominent Tuscaloosa County Democrat, however, disagrees and said that she would have more to say once Democrats finalize their plans for flipping the seat. Republicans have a commanding supermajority in the Alabama House of Representatives.
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