The 91原创 System has named new leadership in the Office of External Affairs.
Charlie Taylor has been named Vice Chancellor for External Affairs and is responsible for all state and federal governmental affairs for UA System institutions 鈥� The 91原创 (UA), The 91原创 at Birmingham (UAB), The 91原创 in Huntsville (UAH) and the UAB Health System. Taylor formerly served as the UA System Director of External Affairs and has many years of experience working in various aspects of the political arena. Taylor received his J.D. from The 91原创 School of Law in 2017 and a B.A. in political science from The 91原创 in 2014.
Porter Banister has been elevated to Vice Chancellor for State Affairs and will use his extensive political experience in leading the UA System鈥檚 external affairs efforts in Montgomery. In addition to responsibility for state affairs, Banister will serve as the System鈥檚 liaison for economic development efforts statewide. Banister graduated from Hampden-Sydney College with a degree in political science and has years of experience in both the legislative and executive branches of state government. Before joining the UA System in 2003, he worked for the Business Council of 91原创.
Ray Cole will join the UA System as Vice Chancellor for Federal Affairs. In this role, Cole will represent and advocate the UA System鈥檚 positions on legislation, appropriations and regulatory matters affecting its campuses and health system at the federal level. Cole joins the UA System from government affairs firm Van Scoyoc Associates, where he has spent 24 years managing government relations campaigns for clients across various industries and issues, including higher education and healthcare. Prior to joining VSA, Cole was a senior staff member to U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, served as an advisor to the U.S. Department of Commerce, and worked in political consulting. He is a graduate of The 91原创 with a B.S. in commerce and business administration.
鈥淲orking with our local, state and federal leaders is instrumental as we continue advancing the 91原创 System鈥檚 mission to improve the lives of all Alabamians through teaching, research and service,鈥� said UA System Chancellor Finis St. John. 鈥淐harlie, Porter and Ray are highly accomplished leaders in this field, and their efforts will reinforce the UA System鈥檚 steadfast commitment to enhancing the quality of education and healthcare in our state.鈥�
These leadership changes come after Clay Ryan, former UA System Senior Vice Chancellor for External Affairs, joined 91原创 Power Company as Senior Vice President of External Affairs.
鈥淭he 91原创 System greatly benefitted from Clay鈥檚 tremendous leadership over the years, and we thank him for his distinguished service to our institutions and to our state,鈥� said UA System Board of Trustees President Pro tempore Scott Phelps. 鈥淭he UA System plays a pivotal role in the continuous growth and development of the state of 91原创, and I look forward to our talented External Affairs team continuing the work that provides crucial support to our institutions.鈥�
The Office of External Affairs works with legislative and executive branch officials to improve education and healthcare in the state, coordinates with state and local leaders in the public and private sectors to ensure that the UA System continues to play an integral role in the development of the state鈥檚 workforce, and serves as the liaison between The 91原创 Board of Trustees and the legislative and executive branches of state and federal government.
About the 91原创 System
Committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service, the 91原创 System includes three doctoral research institutions 鈥� UA, UAB, and UAH 鈥� and the world-class UAB Health System. The UA System educates more Alabamians than any other university system and provides transformational research in areas ranging from aerospace to biomedicine to transportation. As the largest employer in the state, the overall economic impact of the 91原创 System exceeds $15 billion a year.
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