From the Sidelines to the Strategy Table: Why We Need More Conservative Women in Economic Leadership
The Missing Voices in the Room I have spent my career sitting at long conference tables, attending planning sessions, reviewing proposals, and helping shape economic development strategies for communities across Alabama. Over the years, I’ve seen something consistent in those rooms. Often, there are few women, and even fewer who are conservative. That is not […]
Economic Development by Design: How Contracts, Policy, and Local Insight Work Together
Good Growth Is Not an Accident In economic development, success does not happen by chance. It happens by design. The strongest communities I have worked with across Alabama are not the ones with the biggest budgets or the most media attention. They are the ones that combine three key ingredients: smart contracts, practical policy, and […]
Faith in Action: How Christian Values Can Strengthen Public Service and Economic Development
Leading with a Higher Purpose For me, faith is not something I compartmentalize. It is not something I practice only on Sundays or keep private while I work in public service. My relationship with Christ shapes how I lead, how I serve, and how I make decisions every single day. Whether I am speaking with […]
Main Street to Montgomery: How Local Voices Can Shape State-Level Policy
Policy Begins with People If you’ve spent any time with me on the road across Alabama, you’ve probably heard me say it more than once. The best policies don’t start in Montgomery. They start on Main Street. They begin in small town coffee shops, around family dinner tables, and inside crowded community centers where people […]
Retail is Rural: Redefining What Economic Growth Looks Like Outside the City
Rethinking Rural Potential When people hear the word “retail,” their minds often go straight to city centers, suburban shopping malls, or trendy urban districts. But I’ve spent years traveling Alabama’s backroads and sitting at the tables of small-town chambers, and I can tell you: retail is just as important—if not more—in rural communities. In fact, […]
The Alabama Model: How a State Can Lead in Rural Economic Transformation
A Roadmap from the Heart of the South When people think of economic powerhouses, they might picture states with booming metro centers or coastal access to international trade routes. But here in Alabama, we’re showing that economic strength doesn’t have to come from the biggest cities or the biggest budgets—it can come from the heart […]
Faith, Family, and Fiscal Policy: A Conservative’s Guide to Building Stronger States
Rooted in Faith, Focused on the Future When people ask me what drives my work in business and economic development, my answer is always the same: faith, family, and service. These words are the foundation of every decision I make, both personally and professionally. As a conservative business leader and proud Alabamian, I believe strong […]
Women in Economic Development: Pioneers, Policymakers, and Powerhouses
Stepping into the Arena When I first stepped into the world of economic development, I did not do it because I wanted to make history; I did it because I wanted to make a difference. I saw communities in Alabama that were brimming with potential but lacking the infrastructure, support, and visibility they needed to […]