The Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted its Governmental Affairs Council Conversations & Coffee on Thursday, November 6, bringing together business, community, and government leaders for a morning of connection and collaboration centered on building a unified legislative agenda for the Capital Region.
Held at the Chamber, the event offered an informal yet impactful setting for relationship building with key decision-makers across every level of leadership—regional, state, and federal. Attendees included cabinet-level officials, city and county representatives, legislators, education leaders, and other stakeholders helping shape Montgomery’s economic and policy landscape.
Opening Remarks: Collaboration and Shared Vision
The morning began with a welcome from Stacia Robinson, Chamber Chairman, who emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the public and private sectors. Robinson set the tone by acknowledging that Montgomery’s growth depends on strong partnerships focused on economic expansion, workforce readiness, military stabilization, and talent development across the region.
She also recognized the event’s generous sponsors:
- Presenting Sponsor: SS&L Architects
- Gold Sponsor: Goodwyn Mills Cawood
- Silver Sponsor: Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Following Robinson’s remarks, Taylor Williams of PowerSouth, who serves as the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Chairman, introduced Josh Blades, Senior Advisor for Governmental Affairs & Economic Development at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, who served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies.
Blades, a Chamber Board Member and former Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the Alabama House and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, offered valuable perspective on the 2025 Federal and State Legislative Sessions and the policy issues poised to impact Montgomery and the state. He also took a moment to recognize elected officials and Chamber committee members in attendance—highlighting the importance of civic engagement in shaping effective, business-friendly policy.
The program also featured The Honorable Martha Roby, former U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, who shared national insight on defense, workforce readiness, and infrastructure, highlighting Montgomery’s continued leadership in national security and economic competitiveness. “We continue to do the good work to bring as much federal tax dollars back to Montgomery and the River Region so we can keep our great momentum — in infrastructure, the airport, and our military footprint.”
This statement affirmed how federal engagement directly supports the Chamber’s legislative agenda, demonstrating the tangible benefits of aligning local priorities with national policy decisions. Roby’s perspective reinforced the need for a coordinated approach to securing resources that advance Montgomery’s strategic growth goals.
Joining the conversation from the state level, Senator Bobby Singleton, Minority Leader of the Alabama Senate, discussed ongoing efforts to advance rural economic development, education, and justice initiatives, reaffirming bipartisan commitment to strengthening Alabama’s workforce and regional economies.
“I believe in the windshield effect, not the rearview mirror effect. We have to look ahead to move Alabama forward.” Singleton’s metaphor highlighted the Chamber’s forward-looking approach to legislative planning. By focusing on proactive strategies and collective vision rather than past obstacles, his remarks emphasized the importance of a unified legislative agenda that positions Montgomery for sustained economic and social progress.
Jade Schofield, Deputy Chief of Staff to Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, offered closing insight into how the Speaker’s Office is aligning legislative priorities with the needs of local communities, emphasizing collaboration across economic development, education, and tourism sectors—reinforcing the Chamber’s role as a bridge between policymakers and the business community.
Meaningful Dialogue Over Coffee
As the formal discussion concluded, Robinson encouraged guests to continue connecting over coffee—using the time to exchange ideas and build relationships that advance the Capital Region’s progress.
“The most important part of this event is keeping open lines of communication between business and community leaders,” Robinson reminded attendees. That message affirmed the Chamber’s mission: maintaining strong engagement ensures Montgomery speaks with one voice when advocating for policies that benefit the entire capital region. By encouraging meaningful, one-on-one interactions, the event transformed dialogue into actionable priorities for the upcoming legislative sessions.
Through Conversations & Coffee, the Chamber continues to provide an essential platform for collaboration between business and government, strengthening the Capital City’s unified voice in shaping Alabama’s future.
View & download photos to the event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCA6T5
