Manufacture Alabama has named Garrett Jemison as the organization’s first Chief Operating Officer. Jemison most recently served as a government affairs consultant in both Montgomery and Washington, D.C., representing energy companies, higher education institutions, chambers of commerce and many other organizations. He will start at Manufacture Alabama on Oct. 7, 2019.
“We are excited to welcome Garrett to our team as the organization’s first Chief Operating Officer,” said George Clark, Manufacture Alabama’s CEO. “Garrett will be working with me to run the day–to–day operations of our organization as we continue to serve Alabama’s manufacturing industry at the state and federal level. I, along with our board, have great confidence in his ability to help guide us well into the future as we navigate the political landscape that will impact policy affecting our member companies’ bottom lines.”
Jemison served as state director for U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby from 2011-2014, managing offices in Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa and Mobile. In that capacity, heplanned and attended hundreds of the Senator’s district visits toall 67 counties, giving him a first-hand look at various industries across Alabama. Alongside Sen. Shelby, Jemison toured many sites and worked directly with a number of companies – large and small – including auto manufacturers, pipe producers, timber operators, electric utilities, ship builders, pulp and paper mills, oil and gas refineries, and gun manufacturers.
Jemison said he looks forward to celebrating more economic success stories for his home state.
“I am excited and humbled to have the opportunity to join George Clark and the Manufacture Alabama team,” said Jemison. “We, at Manufacture Alabama, must continue to build on all of the success that Governor Ivey’s administration has achieved through job recruitment and workforce development training. This is a critical time in our state’s history and our goal will be to continue doing everything we can to advocate for Alabama manufacturers and their employees, while building on the achievements and opportunities of our state’s workforce.”
A native of the state’s capital city, Jemison graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in political science and a minor in public relations. He and his wife, Emily, reside in Montgomery.
Clark says the skills and experience Jemison has gained while in Washington and Montgomery will help Manufacture Alabamaadvance the priorities of its member companies.
“Manufacture Alabama works hard every day to represent our member companies in a way that allows them to create jobs in the communities where they exist, which in turn spurs local economic growth and job creation across the entire state,” Clark said. “Garrett will allow us to even better serve their needs”
Jemison said that Manufacture Alabama’s success is tied directly to that of the state of Alabama.
“Our goal is to make sure that Alabama manufacturers are equipped to succeed in a competitive, global marketplace,” Jemison said. “To the extent our manufacturers succeed, their workers thrive, and so do their families. This is a recipe for economic strength for our communities and our state.”
Manufacture Alabama is the only trade association in the state dedicated exclusively to the competitive, legislative, regulatory and operational interests and needs of manufacturers and their partner industries and businesses. MA represents hundreds of companies – from the most recognized international corporations to small, family-owned operations – that share common interests and face similar competitive challenges. Each one is vital component of Alabama’s economy and job base. To learn more, visit: https://www.manufacturealabama.org
