Personnel Update: Helena Duncan named CEO of Business Council of Alabama
The Business Council of Alabama has named Helena Duncan as its new President and CEO. Duncan has over 30 years of experience in the financial industry and has been at BCA since 2020. Most recently, Duncan worked as Senior Vice President of Operations and Investor Relations. “Helena Duncan has the experience, talent, and perspective to lead the BCA effectively and enhance its role as the voice of Alabama business,” BCA Chairman Mike Kemp said in a news release. “She is an experienced businesswoman who has worked with a broad cross-section of businesses. She speaks the language of business. Her leadership qualities, management experience, and work ethic will be valuable assets to BCA as we chart our course for the future.” Duncan is the first African American president of BCA. Duncan is also a board member of Dixie Electric Cooperative, the YMCA, the Montgomery Committee of 100, the Board of Controls Committee of 100, and Synovus Bank. “I am honored to be chosen and entrusted with the responsibility of leading such a prestigious organization. I look forward to implementing our strategic plan that has been developed over the past year,” said Duncan. “My previous roles at BCA have given me a strong knowledge of the organization and our members. As we begin this new chapter, our priority will be to refine and refocus our efforts on energetic, effective advocacy on behalf of our members in Montgomery and at the federal level.” The position has been vacant since U.S. Sen.-elect Katie Britt stepped down in July 2021 to run for U.S. Senate. Robin Stone has led BCA as Interim Executive Director since then. Kemp praised Stone’s leadership. “Robin has provided efficient, effective leadership during his time at BCA,” stated Kemp. “During his tenure, BCA experienced a strong period of successful operations in all aspects of our organization, and we are grateful for his contributions. We look forward to his continued support.” Helena is married to Clarence Duncan. They have two sons, CJ and Collin.
Personnel Update: Joshua Vaughn named BCA’s VP of communications and marketing
The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) recently announced that Joshua Vaughn has been named Vice President of Communications and Marketing. Vaughn began working with BCA in 2012 as Manager of Graphic Design and Public Relations. He was later given the role of Director of Visual Communications. Prior to his current role as Vice President of Communications and Marketing, he served as Director of Communications and Marketing. With a background in graphic design, Vaughn has played an integral role in all visual materials for marketing and communications at BCA. “Josh has been instrumental in developing and enhancing all aspects of BCA’s communications for 10 years,” said BCA Interim Director Robin Stone. “Effective communication creates powerful advocacy, and Josh has provided a great blend of creativity and clarity to BCA’s outreach to our members, elected officials, and business community stakeholders. He is an innovative communicator who balances clarity and style in our various print, visual and social media tools. We look forward to his future contributions to BCA and our membership as Vice President of Communications and Marketing.” Vaughn thanked BCA for the opportunity. “BCA has given me the incredible opportunity over the last ten years to use my background in design and expand my knowledge in marketing and communication,” Vaughn stated. “Communicating for this organization and serving our members has been an honor, and I am grateful to continue leading our communication efforts as Vice President of Communications and Marketing.” The Business Council of Alabama 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.
Katie Britt urges lawmakers to protect workers against vaccine mandates
U.S. Senate candidate Katie Britt is urging Alabama Legislators to protect workers against the Biden administration’s vaccine mandates. It was announced today that Americans who work at companies with 100 or more employees will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 4 or get tested for the virus weekly. The Alabama Senate passed two anti-vaccine discrimination bills earlier this week, and the Alabama House of Representatives will see those bills on Thursday, Yellowhammer News reported. Senate Bill 9 and Senate Bill 15 are two of several bills the GOP-led legislature filed during the special session. Senate Bill 9 will provide workers the ability to claim exemption from the vaccine mandate. Senate Bill 15 will authorize the attorney general to pursue civil action against violators of the state’s ban on vaccine passports. The bill also requires parental consent for minors to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Chris Elliot, who authored Senate Bill 9, told the Alabama Daily News, “We’re trying to make this as easy as possible for the rank-and-file employees that don’t have a law degree or don’t want to go out and hire an attorney to be able to claim their exemption without an undue burden.” Britt, former chief executive of the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), is publicly disagreeing with her former employer. BCA is against Senate Bill 9, arguing that it puts employers in a “no-win position” by forcing them to comply with conflicting state and federal laws. Robin Stone, the BCA’s interim executive director, stated, “This legislation would prevent Alabama employers from making their own personnel decisions and place that authority in the hands of state government.” Britt stated, “Joe Biden’s tyrannical mandate threatens the livelihood of countless Alabamians and the freedom of every American. This vast overreach and coercion is not a solution to a problem; it only causes problems. Real leadership would find a way to simultaneously protect the lives of Americans while preserving their jobs and safeguarding their freedoms.” Senate Bills 9 and 15 now move to the full House for a vote.
