Chamber Day at the Capitol Speakers
Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth
Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth, husband to Kendall and father to Hunter, Hays, and Addie, is a small business owner and farmer from Marshall County. Prior to entering public service, he worked as a youth pastor at Albertville’s Grace Fellowship Church.
A co-founder of Dream Ranch hunting lodge and the Tennessee Valley Hunting and Fishing Expo, he currently owns Ainsworth Real Estate and Ainsworth Homes, which specialize in residential real estate construction and development. Ainsworth also operates a commercial cattle operation in Guntersville.
After feeling the call to serve his community through elected office, Ainsworth won a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives in 2014. While serving in the House, he was a champion for Pre-K, K-12, and higher education, passed election integrity legislation, and emphasized issues relating to business, agriculture, and family values.
Keeping a self-imposed legislative term limit promise, Ainsworth declared his candidacy for lieutenant governor in 2018 and received the most votes of any candidate for constitutional office on the general election ballot. He was elected to a second term without major party opposition in 2022.
During the 2023 legislative session, Ainsworth was the chief architect and proponent of the largest tax cut in Alabama history – a $300 million reduction in the state sales tax on groceries.
Ainsworth also lead the charge in renewing Alabama’s economic incentives, the Alabama Jobs Act and Growing Alabama, to ensure Alabama remains competitive in recruiting high-paying 21st century jobs.
Through the work of the Lieutenant Governor’s Commission on a 21st Century Workforce, he has focused on improving workforce development and training in order to recruit long-lasting, high-paying jobs to the state.
As chairman of the Alabama Small Business Commission, Ainsworth also works to promote policies that grow and expand both new and existing businesses – ranging from small, mom-and-pop operations to Alabama’s largest employers.
Ainsworth chairs the Alabama Military Stability Commission, which has passed dozens of bills in the Legislature to ensure Alabama remains the nation’s most welcoming state to active soldiers and veterans. His efforts on behalf of military members and their families earned Ainsworth the Pete Taylor Award from the U.S. Department of Defense.
He also served as national chair of the Aerospace States Association, a group of elected officials, academics, and private sector entities from states with ties to the aviation and spaceflight industries. Ainsworth has served as a strong advocate for Alabama’s aerospace industry, promoted STEM education in K-12 schools, and has pushed the Pentagon to maintain its commitment of placing U.S. Space Command Headquarters in Huntsville.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter
After a successful career in the electrical co-op industry and serving in various municipal government roles in his hometown of Rainsville, Alabama, Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2014. He was later elected majority leader by the House Republican caucus in 2017 – making him the first-ever freshman member to hold this role.
As majority leader, Ledbetter was directed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to find solutions to the state’s lingering mental health challenges. His work on the issue has resulted in a complete overhaul of Alabama’s crisis care system and historic investments into free and effective treatment for Alabamians in need, which remains one of his proudest accomplishments as a member of the Legislature.
In 2022, Ledbetter was unanimously elected as the 67th Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives. He’s leveraged his role as Speaker to provide historic tax cuts for the people of Alabama while also focusing heavily on growing the state’s economy and improving educational outcomes for students. Speaker Ledbetter’s biggest goal is to make Alabama the best possible place to live, work, and raise a family.
He is married to the former Teresa Wilks, they have two adult sons, Nick and Nathan, and four grandchildren. The Ledbetters are members of Broadway Baptist Church.
Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger
A small business owner with a lifelong commitment to serving others, Garlan Gudger was unanimously elected by his colleagues to as the President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate, a position that gives him tremendous influence over the day-to-day operations of the body.
First elected to the Cullman City Council in 2004, he became its youngest member in history and held a seat for 14 years, the last 10 of which saw him serve as president. After tornadoes tore through Cullman in 2011, Gudger was responsible for a facade and streetscape improvement program that was credited with revitalizing its downtown economic center.
After winning a seat representing portions of Cullman, Marion, and Winston counties in the Alabama State Senate in 2018, Gudger quickly established himself as a leader and earned the Economic Development Association of Alabama’s “Legislator of the Year” award for his efforts in passing a groundbreaking package of industrial recruitment and job creation measures.
He was also presented with the “Chairman’s Commendation” award by the Alabama Republican Party for passing a law that reflects his deeply conservative beliefs and requires “transgender” athletes in K-12 public schools to compete according to the sex listed on their original birth certificate.
Gudger and his wife, Heather, are the owners and operators of Southern Accents, an architectural salvage business founded by his father in 1969. Recognized as one of the top five architectural salvage companies in the nation, Alabama Magazine also awarded Southern Accents its “Best Antique Store in Alabama” honor for three consecutive years.
The Gudgers have two sons, Tripp and Pierce, and are members of Daystar Church, where they annually participate in mission trips to Uganda and other poverty-stricken areas around the world.
House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels
Anthony Daniels is a dedicated public servant who is proud to represent Alabama’s 53rd District in the Alabama House of Representatives, where he also serves as Minority Leader.
Since being elected to the Alabama Legislature in 2014, Daniels has been a strong advocate for education, healthcare access, criminal justice reform, and economic development initiatives. His ability to build consensus—among his caucus and across the aisle—and to advance legislation that strengthens Alabama’s economy, creates good-paying jobs, equity, and opportunity for all Alabamians, quickly earned him the respect of his colleagues.
In recognition of his hard work and dedication, Alabama House Democrats named him Legislator of the Year in 2015. In 2017, Daniels became the youngest Minority Leader in state history and the first African American to hold the position.
Under his leadership, House Democrats have successfully fought for an agenda that will build vibrant, innovative, and inclusive communities, put in place common sense tax policies that benefit workers and families, balance the needs of big and small business, and foster economic opportunity and entrepreneurship across the state. To advance this agenda and Alabama, Leader Daniels has relied heavily on bipartisanship, collaboration, and public-private partnerships.
Daniels serves on the Board of Directors of the Alabama Innovation Corporation—the first public-private and bipartisan entity in Alabama tasked with fostering Alabama's innovation economy. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Main Street Alabama, a group focused on revitalizing the economic and cultural centers of Alabama's many local communities. He was appointed by Republican Governor Kay Ivey to serve on the Alabama Pandemic Response and Preparedness Commission during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also a board member of the One Country Project, an organization focused on issues impacting rural America, as well as on the board’s of the Global Forum Advisory Council and State Legislative Leaders Foundation—organizations focused on preparing future leaders.
Prior to his career in public service, Anthony Daniels was a teacher. He grew up in the small town of Midway, Alabama, and graduated from Bullock County High School prior to earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in special education from Alabama A&M University. Together with his wife, Dr. Teneshia Daniels, he is a small business owner, and they have two daughters, Madison and Abigail, and a son, Anthony.
Senator Wes Kitchens
Senator Wes Kitchens serves District 9 in the Alabama Senate covering Marshall, Madison and Blount Counties. Prior to his election to the Senate, he served District 27 in the Alabama House of Representatives, beginning in 2018. During his time as Representative, Kitchens was selected to serve as the Vice-Chair of the House Republican Caucus by his peers.
Sen. Kitchens is employed as an agent at Holloway and Hunt Insurance in Arab. Prior to that position, Kitchens was the President of the Arab Chamber of Commerce. During his time at the Chamber he focused on workforce and community development as well as working with local businesses to grow the Arab community. The Chamber saw growth in both membership and resources during Kitchens tenure becoming a leading voice for business in the area.
Before joining the Chamber, Sen. Kitchens worked in college athletics. He was the Director of Basketball Operations at the University of Denver, overseeing all aspects of the women’s basketball program including budgeting, travel, equipment, scheduling and day-to-day management. The Pioneers finished the 2013-2014 season as a runner-up in the Summit League Tournament.
Kitchens also served as the Video Coordinator for Auburn University Women’s Basketball where they won the 2008 SEC Championship earning a birth in the NCAA Tournament.
A graduate of Arab High School and Auburn University, Kitchens was born, raised, and currently lives with his wife Ashton in Arab, Alabama. They attend Gilliam Springs Baptist Church.
Senator Bobby Singleton
Senator Bobby Singleton is serving his fourth term in the Senate where he serves as Senate Minority Leader. He was elected on January 25, 2005, to fill the unexpired term of former Senator Charles Steele. He served in the Alabama House of Representatives for one term. Leader Singleton represents Senate District 24 which includes Choctaw, Green, Hale, Marengo, Sumter and Tuscaloosa County.
Senator Singleton has a B.S. Degree in Criminal Justice from Alabama State University and a Juris Doctor from Miles College; he is a consultant. His hobbies include hunting, travelling and fishing. Senator Singleton is a member of Greenleaf Missionary Baptist Church, Greensboro Alabama and he is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
Kyle South, IOM
Kyle South, IOM has served as President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama since April 2023.
Kyle is an Alabama native, having grown up in the small town of Fayette. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce & Business Administration, with a focus on marketing, from The University of Alabama in 2004. Immediately following graduation and the passing of his grandfather, Kyle went back home to Fayette to serve as President and General Manager of West Alabama TV Cable Company (WATVC). He spearheaded all aspects of operations for the $5M family-owned cable company, including sales management, business development, marketing, finance, banking, budgets, quality standards, and customer service. In addition, Kyle cultivated and maintained professional, long-term client relationships and supported networking to secure new business opportunities. From 2008 through 2014, he served as a Board member and Chairman of the Alabama Cable Telecommunications Association. Kyle and his family sold the company in 2019.
As a State Representative for District 16, Kyle served three terms in the Alabama House of Representatives. He was first elected in 2014 to represent the interests and population of Fayette, Jefferson, Lamar, and Tuscaloosa counties. Kyle’s achievements in the House include serving as a key member of the Financial Services Committee and Insurance Committee; participation in the Ways and Means General Fund Committee as Vice Chairman; and serving as a member of the Transportation, Utilities, and Infrastructure Committee.
Representative Chad Robertson
Representative Chad Robertson was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives on November 8, 2022. He represents House District 40 which includes Calhoun and Cleburne counties and holds positions on the Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee, Economic Development and Tourism Committee, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, and the Joint Legislative Committee on Energy Policy. In December 2025, he was also appointed to the House Judiciary Committee by House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter. Prior to his election he served as Executive Director of the Cleburne County Chamber of Commerce. A graduate of Jacksonville State University he lives in Heflin.
Bill Poole
Bill Poole was appointed as the director of the Alabama Department of Finance by Governor Kay Ivey on August 1, 2021, after representing the citizens of House District 63 as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives. On November 17, 2021, Gov. Ivey selected Director Poole to also serve as her senior advisor.
As the state’s chief financial officer, Poole serves as an advisor to the governor and the Alabama Legislature in all financial matters and is charged with protecting the financial interests of the state of Alabama. He is responsible for the administration and oversight of the Department of Finance and serves on various advisory boards and authorities.
Poole served as the House Ways and Means education chairman, the committee that oversees the Education Trust Fund (ETF), for the last eight years. Under his legislative leadership, priority initiatives such as high-quality pre-K, literacy, broadband, workforce development and career technical training received increased appropriations to ensure Alabama’s students are college and career ready post-graduation from high school.
A native of Marengo County, Poole was first elected to House District 63 in 2010. A graduate of the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama School of Law, he has worked in private practice since 2004. He has previously worked for the Committee on Ways and Means in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.
Poole and his wife, Niccole, have three children.
Erika McKay
Erika McKay serves as the Deputy Secretary and General Counsel of the Alabama Department of Commerce, Business Development Division. She joined the Department as General Counsel in April 2021, following her tenure as Chief Deputy General Counsel in the Office of Governor Kay Ivey.
In her current role, McKay plays a critical part in shaping Alabama’s economic development strategy. She oversees the award of state incentives, as well as the drafting and implementation of key economic development legislation, including the Alabama Jobs Act, Growing Alabama Act, SEEDS Act, and the recently enacted Alabama Development Fund and the Powering Growth Act.
McKay is an active member of the Alabama State Bar, local bar associations, and multiple economic development organizations, where she contributes her legal expertise and policy insight.
She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from the University of Alabama. Erika is married to Chris, and they have one daughter.
Todd Stacy
Todd Stacy founder and publisher of the Alabama Daily News and host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television. After a 15-year career in politics, Todd left Washington, D.C. in 2017 to start a news organization that gives readers high-quality coverage of government and politics without political bias or corporate spin. Alabama Daily News has since grown to become the news outlet of choice for the state’s top political and business leaders.
Jason Isbell
Jason Isbell is the Head of State Government Affairs and Economic Development at Regions Bank. In this role, he oversees advocacy efforts in the sixteen state capitals that make up the Regions’ footprint and provides strategic support for economic development projects in the bank’s home state of Alabama. Jason joined Regions in August of 2021 and has worked around the legislative process since 2002. He serves as a volunteer or director for several non-profit groups, is an adjunct law professor, and lives with his family in Pike Road, Alabama.
R.B. Walker
R.B. Walker serves as director of legislative affairs and compliance for Alabama Power Company. Alabama Power provides reliable and affordable electricity to more than 1.5 million customers statewide. In his role with Alabama Power, R.B. represents the interests of the Company, its customers, and its communities, before the Alabama State Legislature, the Governor’s office, and executive agencies of state government. Walker’s previous experience with the Company, which began in 2008, includes serving in the corporate affairs department, governmental relations, and as assistant to the executive vice president for external affairs. In 2009, he was the Company’s coordinator for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as the federal stimulus act.
Immediately prior to being named to his current role, Walker served for over two years as director of government relations for The University of Alabama System. Comprising three of the most dynamic universities in the South and a world-class medical center, The University of Alabama System is the state of Alabama’s largest employer. In his role with UA, R.B. was responsible for representing the System before the Alabama State Legislature, the United States Congress and executive agencies of state, federal and local government in addition to serving as a senior advisor to the President of the University of Alabama as a member of his cabinet.
R.B. has been involved in politics and public administration in the state of Alabama for several years having served in the campaigns and administrations of various elected and appointed officials on the local, state, and national levels. Most recently, he managed two gubernatorial transition teams, served as finance director of a Governor’s inaugural committee, deputy director of the Tornado Recovery Action Council, and was appointed as Co-Chairman of the Renewable Power and Electric Generation Subcommittee of the Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Energy Policy of the Alabama State Legislature. He also directed the Alabama Workforce Council, an advisory board made up of business, government, and education leaders and is Co-Chairman of the Business Council of Alabama’s Committee on Innovation & Economic Development.
The Montgomery native is a fellow of the Blackburn Institute and a member of or a former member of the following boards: The Alabama Humanities Foundation Board of Directors, The American Village Citizenship Trust Board of Trustees, The Higher Education Partnership Board of Directors, The Friends of the Cloverdale Play House, the Montgomery Youth Commission, the Britton YMCA Board of Directors, the Alabama Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, the Alabama NAACP Centennial Committee, the Alabama Juvenile Arthritis Associates Board, The Family Sunshine Center Board of Directors, the Alabama Bridge Builders Board of Directors, the Alabama Freshwater Land Trust Junior Board, the Coalition to Save Foster Auditorium Board of Directors, The Montgomery Dragon Boat Festival Board of Directors, the Montgomery Landmarks Foundation Board of Directors and is a graduate of the Alabama Leadership Initiative.
Walker graduated from the Montgomery Academy. From there, he attended The University of Alabama and earned his degree in Political Science and History where he also became certified in multicultural relations. Prior to graduating, Walker studied politics and international relations at The University of Oxford in Oxford, England and has completed executive training programs at The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. During his senior year, R.B. served as the 93rd president of The University of Alabama Student Government Association. He has been named one of the forty most influential political people in Alabama by YellowHammer Media Group.
R.B. is married to Maeci Martin Walker, a Trussville, Ala. native. They are the proud parents of their children Bo and Georgia Walker and two tyrannical terriers, Zelda and Big Ruby.
Tim Howe
Tim Howe serves as Chief Advocacy Officer for the Business Council of Alabama, where he helps guide the organization’s strategic initiatives and leads advocacy efforts on behalf of Alabama’s business community. In this role, Howe works closely with state and local leaders to advance policies that strengthen Alabama’s economic competitiveness and support job creators across the state.
A veteran political strategist, Howe brings more than two decades of experience in government relations, public affairs, and strategic consulting. He most recently served as Chief of Staff to the Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore, Garlan Gudger, overseeing daily chamber operations and guiding major legislative initiatives. Prior to his work in Senate leadership, Howe was a founding partner of a governmental affairs firm representing businesses and professional associations across a wide range of industries at both the state and local levels.
Howe began his career managing judicial campaigns and has since managed statewide campaigns and served as a senior consultant on numerous successful State House and Senate races. His background also includes experience in media, communications, municipal finance, and investment banking, giving him a well-rounded perspective on policy and economic issues.
Howe holds a Juris Doctor from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Clemson University. He resides in Pike Road with his wife, Shelby, and their two children.