From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
MONTGOMERY — The Southern Rail Commission (SRC) announced Governor Kay Ivey’s appointment of Alabama representatives to its membership.
Anita Archie, David Clark, Stephen McNair and John Clyde Riggs joined Toby Bennington and Wiley Blankenship in representing Alabama on the Commission. These commissioners add years of experience and expertise in economic development, workforce, infrastructure, planning, tourism, hospitality, historic preservation, design, regulatory compliance and government relations to the Southern Rail Commission.
With a mission to advance economic resilience through improving rail services, the Southern Rail Commission works to restore passenger rail service for Gulf Coast states. The SRC is currently working to support its member states (Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana) in securing federal funding for infrastructure and operations that would facilitate the return of passenger rail service from Mobile to New Orleans.
Commissioner Anita Archie is Deputy Director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) where she provides legal and policy counsel to support economic development projects, infrastructure improvements, job training, energy conservation, law enforcement, traffic safety, recreation development, Alabama water resources and assistance to low income families.
Commissioner Corbett Imes “Toby” Bennington was also reappointed to the Southern Rail Commission. He is the Director of Planning and Economic Development for the city of Anniston.
As President and CEO of Visit Mobile, Commissioner David Clark promotes the city of Mobile as a tourism destination and has vast experience in hospitality, lodging and tourism in Coastal Alabama.
Stephen McNair, Ph.D., is the owner and senior consultant of McNair Historic Preservation, Inc., a national full-service historic preservation consulting firm based in Mobile. The firm specializes in historic tax credit development projects, National Register nominations, architectural design, regulatory compliance and government relations.
Commissioner John Clyde Riggs serves as Executive Director of the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission, a non-profit agency serving planning, economic development and community needs for 10 counties and 48 municipalities.
The full list of commissioners can be found at southernrailcommission.org/leadership.