By By Lydia Grimes
Carol Gordy of Brewton has been elected first vice chairman and chairman-elect of the Business Council of Alabama. She will take office as vice-chair on Jan. 1, 2006.
Gordy, who is the chairman and chief executive officer of Natural Decorations Inc. (NDI) in Brewton, was elected at a Huntsville board meeting on Dec. 1. She will be the first woman and the first CEO of a smaller business to hold this post, she said.
The BCA is a statewide business association representing the interests and concerns of almost 5,000 businesses and industries, which employ more than 750,000 Alabamians.
"I was really very surprised to be elected," Gordy said, adding that in its 20-year history, the BCA has been led by CEOs of large corporations.
NDI has been a member of the Business Council for many years, Gordy said, and she has served on the 99-member board of directors for the past several years.
As vice chairman, Gordy will serve as president of Progress PAC, the BCA's political action committee. Progress PAC is one of the three top PACs in Alabama.
"In that role, we look for candidates who will support business," Gordy said. "BCA has really worked on issues like tort reform to give businesses a fair playing field in Alabama."
The Business Council's 99-member board of directors is comprised of businessmen and businesswomen representing a diverse group of Alabama companies, of all types and sizes. With guidance from members of BCA's technical committees, the board establishes the Business Council's annual legislative agenda and determines BCA positions on other key issues. The agenda is presented to the Alabama Legislature at the beginning of each regular session.
"We greatly appreciate these volunteer leaders who willingly give of their time and talents with the understanding that businesspeople must unite in support of policies that enhance the free enterprise system in Alabama," BCA President William Canary said. "We are pleased with the outstanding individuals who have been elected to the Business Council board of directors for the first time and are honored to have those returning board members renew their commitment to serve another term. We look forward to a very successful year ahead."