Tom Cosby

Thomas Rice Cosby (born c. 1947 in Birmingham) is a fundraiser for the Lyric Theatre restoration and a long-time executive with the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Birmingham Business Alliance.

Cosby graduated from Ramsay High School and earned a bachelor's degree in sociology at the University of Alabama in 1969. He spent two years in the U.S. Navy and then returned to UAB for his master's in social work.

Beginning in June 1974 Cosby worked at United Way of Central Alabama compiling its Community Resources Directory. In August 1977 he moved to the Chamber of Commerce, where he remained for more than 35 years. He helped to more than double memberships in the organization. He became the organization's vice president for investor relations and took charge of leading fund-raising drives to benefit preservation of Rickwood Field and Vulcan Park. He also helped coordinate taxicab and jitney service during the 1996 Olympic Games and

He left the BBA to become senior counsel for National Community Development Services, an Atlanta, Georgia company contracted to lead fundraising for the restoration of the Lyric Theatre. He left that job after a little more than a year to work with Birmingham Landmarks directly. He is also coordinating efforts to extend the Appalachian Trail to Birmingham.

References

• Godwin, Brent (October 17, 2012) "Tom Cosby leaving Birmingham Business Alliance after 35 years." Birmingham Business Journal
• Walsh, Alex (July 1, 2014) "Meet Mr. Birmingham: Everyone's asking how they can make Birmingham better. Tom Cosby has the answer." Birmingham magazine