Birmingham Business Alliance Names New CEO

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Veteran economic developer Ron Kitchens has been named president and CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance.

With an economic development career spanning 30 years in Missouri, Texas and Michigan, Kitchens will lead collaborative efforts among partners and stakeholders in Birmingham to accelerate quality job growth and foster a competitive and diverse economy for the region.

Kitchens currently serves as Senior Partner and CEO of Southwest Michigan First, a privately funded, economic development consulting corporation focused on job growth, leadership development and community change in the Southwest Michigan region, where he has been since 2005.

During his tenure with Southwest Michigan First, the organization has been recognized by Fast Company, Outside and INC magazines for its leadership and received the Global Innovators Award from the International Asset Managers Association.

Under his leadership, Southwest Michigan First not only grew revenue, investors and support for small businesses, but developed initiatives around key strengths of the region and organization. Those initiatives include the Southwest Michigan First Life Science Fund, which has secured $85 million in private investments for a venture fund focused on life science, and Consultant Connect, an economic development consulting firm connecting more than 400 clients with more than 240 site consultants annually.

Prior to his work in Michigan, Kitchens served in economic development leadership roles at Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development in Texas and Moberly Economic Development Corp. in Missouri. A former City Councilman for the City of Ozark, Mo., he is a podcaster and author of two books: “Uniquely You: Transform Your Organization by Becoming the Leader Only You Can Be” and “Community Capitalism: Lessons from Kalamazoo and Beyond.”

Kitchens is a Certified Economic Developer and a member of the Board of Directors of the International Economic Development Council.

“I am truly honored to be selected to serve the Birmingham Region at this incredibly challenging time in our nation’s economic history,” Kitchens said. “I truly believe that Birmingham has the resources - people, place and passion - to reinvent what economic prosperity means in America.”

“Ron is well known among site selectors and location consultants and is a true leader in the economic development industry,” said Jim Gorrie, chairman of the BBA and CEO of Brasfield & Gorrie LLC. “His knowledge, connections and track record of collaborating will serve Birmingham well and help the BBA achieve its strategic goals.”