A steady drip of withdrawals from the Business Council of Alabama last week culminated with mega-lawyer firm Maynard Cooper & Gale firing the once prominent business group as a client and leaving the organization.
When BCA’s board meets today at 2 p.m, they are faced with a very different landscape than a week ago.
This trend of high-powered corporate entities leaving BCA is a direct result of CEO Billy Canary’s defiant stand to preserve his job. Aided by BCA Chair Perry Hand, Canary is saving himself at the expense to the association as a whole.
The nationally recognized law firm with more than 260 lawyers is just the latest blow to BCA, which is reaping the consequences of Canary’s failed leadership. Alabama Power Company was the first to leave last Monday. They were followed by Regions Bank and PowerSouth which withdrew on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Blue Cross Blue Shield ended its membership. Protective Life has also stopped its involvement.
Individuals who have withdrawn are legal counsel Fournier “Boots” Gale and BCA Vice-chair Mike Kemp, who until last week led BCA’s ProgressPAC.
