Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority
The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority (originally the Civic Center Authority of the Cities and County of Jefferson County, commonly called the BJCC Board) is the governing body that manages the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. It meets on the third Wednesday of each month in the BJCC's North Hall.
The authority was created as a public corporation by Act of Alabama 547. The first board, assembled in 1965, was headed by Birmingham Symphony Association president Alexander Lacy. Lacy had pushed for the complex of performing arts venues originally envisioned in the "Design for Progress", a master plan for the revitalization of the urban core which was developed in the early 1960s by local architects working with a committee from Operation New Birmingham.
Members are appointed to four-year terms, with appointments alternating every two years between the Jefferson County delegations of the Alabama House of Representatives and Alabama State Senate. The Mayor of Birmingham and President of the Jefferson County Commission have seats on the board by virtue of their elected positions.
In 2023 an act sponsored by Senator Jabo Waggoner and signed by Governor Kay Ivey on June 12 added two members to the BJCC Authority. One would be a member of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau selected by that body, and one would be a qualified Jefferson County voter elected by the Jefferson County Legislative Delegation, with the House and Senate alternating to fill vacancies in that seat.
Board members
2023
- Kermit Kendrick (appointed 2023)
- Tommy Brigham (appointed 2023)
- Bill Murray (appointed 2023)
- Dennis Lathem, (1998–2010; 2011–2023, chair 2012–2023)
- Clyde Echols, (1998–2026, treasurer)
- Samuetta Drew
- Joe Sanders
- Joe Freeman
- Michael Keel
- Houston Smith
- Randall Woodfin, as Mayor of Birmingham (ex officio)
- Jimmie Stephens, as Jefferson County Commission president (ex officio)
2016-2018
- Dennis Lathem, chair
- J. J. Johnson, vice-chair
- Clyde Echols, treasurer
- Jay Roberson, secretary
- Joe Sanders
- Nick Sellers
- Billy Marsh
- William Bell, as Mayor of Birmingham (ex officio)
- Jimmie Stephens, as Jefferson County Commission president (ex officio)
2010-2012
- E. C. Brown, chair
- Herb McBride, vice-chair
- Clyde Echols
- Billy Marsh
- Dennis Lathem
- Kenneth Clemons
- Gil Wideman
- William Bell, as Mayor of Birmingham (ex officio)
- David Carrington, as Jefferson County Commission president (ex officio)
2008-2010
2006-2008
1980s
1965-1966
- Alexander Lacy, chair
References
- DeButts, Jimmy (January 5, 2009) "Lawmaker seeks changes at BJCC." Birmingham Business Journal
- DeButts, Jimmy (June 25, 2010) "Lawmaker: Board vacancies key to BJCC's future." Birmingham Business Journal
- Archibald, John (September 19, 2010) "What the Schwartz are they doing at the BJCC?" The Birmingham News
- Johnson, Roy S. (September 26, 2023) "With 3rd new member in months, BJCC board cronyism is finally fading." AL.com
External links
- BJCC Board of Directors at bjcc.org