on the ladder
on the ladder
A snapshot of the hiring, retiring and promotion movement in the CentrAL ALABAMA biz community
72 CentrAL Inc!
Nick Hartley
Alabama Ag Credit names new CEO
Alabama Ag Credit welcomed Nick Hartley as the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer in January 2025. Hartley most recently served as Chief Lending Officer at AgGeorgia Farm Credit, where he was instrumental in driving financial growth and fostering strong relationships within the agricultural community. As CEO, Hartley will lead the $ 1.4 billion rural lending cooperative, focusing on advancing its mission of supporting rural communities, enhancing member services and sustaining the associations strong financial position.
Renea Pruitt
Montgomery Area Council on Aging hires new Staff Accountant
Renea Pruitt was hired as the new Staff Accountant for the Montgomery Area Council on Aging( MACOA). With two decades of experience in bookkeeping and accounting, she brings a strong background to the part-time role and is embracing the unique challenges of working in the nonprofit sector. Pruitt proudly helps the organization provide essential nutrition services to both seniors and their pets in the Montgomery community.
Louis Franklin Jr.
Valley National Bank expands Commercial Banking Team in Central Alabama
Louis Franklin, Jr. joins Valley National Bank as Vice President, Commercial Banking in Montgomery. As a Montgomery native with more than 10 years of experience in the banking industry, Franklin brings a deep understanding of the region’ s financial landscape and a passion for helping businesses succeed.
William“ Lee” Tinker
W. A. Gayle Planetarium promotes new Planetarium Director
The W. A. Gayle Planetarium promoted William“ Lee” Tinker to Planetarium Director. Since joining as Planetarium Coordinator in November 2023, Tinker has played a vital role in enhancing the planetarium’ s programming and educational outreach. His leadership and expertise in astronomy and space studies have greatly contributed to the facility’ s success.
Matt Thomason
Charles Wright
Goodwyn Mills Cawood makes key transportation leadership promotions
Aviation planner and engineer Matt Thomason was promoted to lead Alabama Aviation. Thomason has been with GMC since 2015 and has been instrumental to the growth of the firm’ s aviation department. Transportation engineer Charles Wright in GMC’ s Birmingham office will now take on the role of leading Alabama Surface Transportation. Wright has been with GMC since 2015 after a storied career with ALDOT and FLDOT.
Shannon Preston
Service Dogs Alabama names new Executive Director
Service Dogs Alabama has welcomed Shannon Preston as its new Executive Director. A longtime supporter who began as a puppy-raiser, Preston brings over 20 years of nonprofit experience in strategy, management and fundraising.