Innovate Alabama announced the addition of three full-time staff members who have joined the organization to help innovators establish roots in the state. These strategic roles will help advance Alabama's priorities and efforts to innovate for 2024 and beyond.
The addition of new team members marks a significant milestone for Innovate Alabama since the appointment of CEO Cynthia Crutchfield in December 2022.
The new team members are:
· Shannon Allen – Program Director, HBCU Engagement
· TC McLemore – Executive Director of Outdoor Recreation Programs
· Kelly McNair – Executive Assistant
“We are excited to welcome these team members to Innovate Alabama,” Crutchfield said. “I am grateful for their commitment to our vision and efforts. We look forward to strengthening our support for important priorities in workforce development and outdoor recreation. ”
As Program Director of HBCU Engagement, Allen will lead all of Innovate Alabama's talent attraction and retention efforts, including HBCU initiatives. more. In addition to overseeing the HBCU Innovation Experience, a partnership with Alabama Collective that provides opportunities for HBCU students and faculty to “expose, educate, engage, and empower,” K-12 initiatives through QuantHub He also oversees external program partnerships, including; A program that trains middle school and high school students in technology and AI programs to prepare them for future success. The Emerging Scholars program focuses on entrepreneurship, allowing students to pitch their business plans, win scholarships, and access resources through the University of Alabama. FuelAL is a partnership with the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) that works with communities across the state to create innovative experiences for summer interns and explore why Alabama is a great place to live, work, and play. It shows whether
Mr. Allen joins Innovate Alabama from Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) where he served as Director of Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives. She led both internal and external efforts aimed at strengthening the organization and enhancing BBA's business attraction efforts.
“After graduating from the University of Alabama, it was an easy decision to make Alabama home,” Allen said. “I've lived here for almost 20 years, I believe this state is a place where innovators and entrepreneurs thrive. I am honored to join a team that is passionate about advancing innovation in Alabama. ”
Mr. McLemore is a public relations veteran. Mr. McLemore, the former executive director of Red Mountain Park in Birmingham, most recently worked at Peritas. In charge of PR as a public relations manager supporting clients such as Innovate Alabama. Red He Mountain While at his park, McLemore helped start the Jefferson County Greenway Commission. This commission is the first county-level organization dedicated to green space operations in the county's 200-year history. He also hired Ride BHM, a first-of-its-kind concessionaire, to Red Mountain Park to revitalize dormant land, foster local outdoor recreation businesses, and generate revenue to support Red Mountain Park. This made him a natural choice to oversee Innovate Alabama's outdoor recreation program. .
As executive director of outdoor recreation programs, McLemore is responsible for providing resources to communities across the state. We need to grow our outdoor recreation assets as a talent attraction tool while creating new avenues for outdoor recreation businesses and entrepreneurs to operate within Alabama.
“I am honored to work with such a talented and passionate team who will realize Innovate Alabama’s mission of helping innovators take root,” McLemore said. “In the competition to attract and retain the best talent, one of the key differentiators for Alabama is our great outdoor environment. I’m excited to help.”
Mr. McNair, an Alabama native, joins Innovate Alabama as Executive Assistant to the CEO after a career spanning e-commerce, technology and sales.her main Organizational maturity, establishing operational standards, and CEO support are priorities.
For more information about Innovate Alabama, please visit: innovatealabama.org.
