Friday, U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, R-Ala., announced the departure of his chief of staff, Katie Boyd Britt, following the official notice of her decision to serve as President and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama, a non-partisan business association representing companies throughout the state.
“Katie Britt is an exceptional choice to serve as CEO of the Business Council of Alabama,” said Senator Shelby. “She has been invaluable as my chief of staff over the last several years. Although I am disappointed to see her go, I know that my loss is BCA’s gain. Throughout Katie’s time in my office, she demonstrated a unique ability to solve any problem. Not only did she work as my top advisor on all matters, but she also developed bipartisan relationships with lawmakers, top committee and leadership staff, and stakeholders to successfully negotiate complex issues and legislation. Katie understands the intersection of business and politics. I have no doubt that her experience in Alabama and the Senate will establish her as an asset to BCA.”
“We are excited to welcome Katie as the BCA’s new president,” said Alabama Power CEO Mark Crosswhite, who chairs the BCA’s Executive Committee. “As the top staff member for Senator Shelby, she has worked daily with businesses and elected officials from around Alabama and the country. She also has a special ability to work with and unite people from all walks of life. She has all of the tools we were looking for to support the business growth across the state that will drive our economy in the years ahead.”
BCA Executive Committee Member Carl Jamison said Britt brought to the table the qualities and experience needed to successfully move BCA forward.
“BCA has an important responsibility to its members and to our state moving forward,” Jamison said. “With Katie’s energy and experiences in Montgomery and Washington, she understands the constructive role BCA can play.”
“I am grateful for Katie’s leadership and ability to prioritize what’s best for our state. It is with pride that I wish her, Wesley, Bennett, and Ridgeway all the best as they return to Alabama,” concluded Shelby.
Katie Boyd Britt is a native of Enterprise. She has served as chief of staff to Senator Shelby since 2016, following her role as deputy campaign manager and communications director during the Senator’s most recent reelection campaign.
“My heart is in Alabama,” said Britt. “Our state has made significant progress in recent years, and I am honored to have been chosen to lead BCA during this time of growth. I look forward to building on that momentum through collective efforts with our BCA members, elected officials, and business allies across the state – identifying opportunities every day in which we can provide and advance real, tangible solutions. BCA’s successes are Alabama’s successes, and our unique ability to take on big challenges and deliver strategic results will advance our economy and best serve the men and women who make up the backbone of our state.”
“It has been my life privilege to serve and assist Alabama’s greatest statesman,” Britt said. “I am very eager to apply the lessons I learned from him in this new position. I am certain the invaluable experiences of touring every county in Alabama with Senator Shelby, and meeting so many Alabamians, will serve me well as I work to create opportunities for all Alabama business.”
Britt said that a strong BCA is vital for Alabama’s success as a state and for its residents.
“From the Tennessee Valley to the Wiregrass and then over to Mobile Bay, we have a remarkably diverse economy,” Britt said. “But to ensure Alabama’s future success, we must encourage policies and priorities that strengthen our businesses and provide opportunities for our citizens.”
Britt first joined Senator Shelby’s staff in May 2004, as deputy press secretary and later served as press secretary until 2007. After working on Capitol Hill, she served as special assistant to The University of Alabama President, Robert E. Witt. Britt later received a law degree from The University of Alabama School of Law. She also received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a minor in Blount Liberal Arts. While there, she served on the John A. Campbell Moot Court Board and represented the School of Law on the school’s Tax Moot Court team. Following graduation, Britt practiced law at Johnston Barton Proctor & Rose LLP in Birmingham and later at Butler Snow LLP in both Birmingham and Montgomery. There, her practice was focused on general corporate law, specifically mergers and acquisitions. During her time at Butler Snow, Britt started and led the firm’s government affairs practice in the state of Alabama.
Katie Boyd Britt is married to Wesley Britt, who started 46 games on the offensive line of the University of Alabama football team and played four years in the NFL for the New England Patriots. He is an economic development representative for Alabama Power.
Britt fills a role that Billy Canary vacated when he left to accept a position at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. After the Republican landslide win in 2010, Canary surpassed AEA Executive Secretary Paul Hubbert (now deceased) as the most influential lobbyist in the state. Canary, however, was widely criticized for his role in the 2016 corruption trial of former Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn. Canary was never indicted, but the hit to his reputation has been credited with the failure of efforts to convince legislators to support a controversial plan for a massive increase in fuel taxes to support a bond issue for road construction. It has failed for the past three legislative sessions. The gas tax increase is, however, likely to be brought back again in 2019, after the election. The road builders and county commissioners are eager for new funds for transportation projects.
BCA was founded in 1985 as an organization to consolidate the Alabama Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Alabama. The organization aims to improve the state’s overall business climate and serves an instrumental role in securing passage of a number of reforms in the areas of tax credits for small businesses, job creation, economic development, ethics reforms and the public education system. BCA is also the exclusive affiliate in Alabama for the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S Chamber of Commerce.
Wikipedia was referenced in the writing of this article.
