Power & Influence: Names 11-20

The Yellowhammer Power & Influence 40 is a list of the 40 most powerful and influential players in Alabama politics. For a more in-depth explanation of the list and how it was compiled, click HERE. To see last year’s list click HERE.

Here’s the schedule of when the names will be released:

Monday, Feb. 18: Names 31-40 (View HERE)
Tuesday, Feb. 19: Names 21-30 (View HERE)
Wednesday, Feb. 20: “Who’s Next?” a preview of the next generation of power players. (View HERE)
Thursday, Feb. 21: Names 11-20
Friday, Feb. 22: Names 6-10
Monday, Feb. 25: Names 1-5

Blaine Galliher | Legislative Director | Governor Robert Bentley

Very few people could leave the House of Representatives where they were Rules Chairman, and actually become MORE powerful. But that is exactly what Galliher has pulled off. He has taken on a senior advisor role in addition to his position as legislative director. He’s always in the room when decisions are being made, and his influence has made him the most powerful staffer in the state. Legislators on both the 5th and 7th floors have immense respect for Galliher, which has really boosted the Governor’s ability to get things done in the State House. His hiring was a major coup for Bentley, and it’s really paying off.

Trip Pittman | State Senator

Pittman is Chairman of the Senate Education Budget Committee. That’s a powerful position for anyone to fill, but Pittman’s tendency to mix things up has placed him at the center of many of the Senate’s toughest behind-the-scenes battles. He’s one of the most active players in intra caucus maneuvering. Senate rules make it possible for just a few senators to really slow down Senate operations, and Pittman has frequently used those rules to his advantage. Needless to say, Pittman has exercised his power & influence over the last year as frequently as anyone on this list.

Dax Swatek | Partner | Swatek, Azbell, Howe & Ross

Whether he’s running campaigns or lobbying on behalf of corporate clients, Swatek is known as a top notch strategist. He’s been a senior advisor on a presidential campaign, and general consultant on a successful gubernatorial campaign. But he’s probably most well known in campaign circles for his role in orchestrating the Republican takeover of the legislature in 2010. He’s widely considered the state’s top GOP political strategist. His relationships throughout state government are second to none, and he’s one of House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s closest confidants. Swatek has demonstrated that he’s one of the rare guys who can find real success in both the political and lobbying spheres. The team he’s built is one of the most aggressive and effective in Montgomery.

Bob Geddie | Lobbyist | Fine Geddie & Associates

With an unrivaled client list and vast institutional knowledge of the legislature, Geddie is in rarified air for a contract lobbyist. Prior to forming Fine Geddie & Associates in 1984, he was Director of State Governmental Affairs for Alabama Power. He also served as Legislative Liaison and as Executive Assistant to Governor Fob James, and was a staffer for the late U.S. Senator John Sparkman. For almost 30 years now, Geddie has been the model of consistency at the State House. He is highly thought of by GOP leadership, including House Speaker Mike Hubbard. That has been key to his ability to get things done on the 5th floor. But Geddie is one of the few guys in town who would be equally effective no matter who’s in power.

Josh Blades | Chief of Staff | House Speaker Mike Hubbard

Blades role in the Speaker’s office could probably be better defined as Chief Multi-Tasker. He has to juggle legislation and manage the staff while continuously providing strategic guidance and counsel to the Speaker. People who are really dialed in at the State House understand the depth of Blades’ role in the Speaker’s operation. “He’s looped in on every single thing the Speaker does,” one House member said. “When he calls, we all know the Speaker is 100% behind him.” Blades has built a reputation as someone who consistently delivers on what he says he’s going to do. That’s a rare quality in the political world. His responsibilities have increased with each session, and he continues to exceed expectations. It’s easy to forget that he’s only 30 years old.

David Perry | Chief of Staff | Governor Robert Bentley

The Governor’s Chief of Staff has significant administrative responsibilities. Perry must maintain a working knowledge of every single government agency, and every agency head reports directly to him. He has gained a reputation for being highly competent, both in his past position as Finance Director, and in his current role as Chief of Staff. Perry is a fairly quiet guy, and flies mostly below the radar, but his influence on the Bentley administration is undeniable. Much of the day-to-day responsibility of running state government is on Perry’s shoulders.

Joe Perkins | Founder | Matrix, LLC

In Perkins’ write up in last year’s Power & Influence 40, one insider said to never count him out. “He’s shrewd enough to get himself back in the mix very soon,” the insider said. Perkins has proven that assessment to be extremely accurate and he has risen from #35 on last year’s list, to his current position at #18. He will continue to survive using his world class ability as a political strategist. Perkins’ guidance alone has given the AEA a punchers chance in recent legislative battles. Without his maneuvering, the teachers union and other traditionally Democrat groups would have completely drowned in the wake of the GOP takeover. He has also maintained his very exclusive client list, including his longstanding relationship with Alabama Power. There’s a healthy mix of myth and reality to the legend of Joe Perkins. But he’s earned every bit of stature he has achieved.

Henry Mabry | Teacher’s Union Boss

The AEA’s membership structure still gives them a lot of bark, but they no longer deliver as much bite as they did in decades past. Their grassroots tactics remain remarkably consistent. They get their members ginned up by printing half truths and outright lies in their print publication, the “AEA Journal.” Then they send out mass emails filled with scare tactics and talking points that their members regurgitate in countless phone calls to legislators. One main difference from years past is that legislators today realize that the AEA can no longer really hurt them. But in spite of their diminishing influence, Mabry & co. have won some significant legislative victories over the last couple of sessions. They managed to derail several major GOP initiatives in the 2012 session. Mabry has done a better than expected job keeping the ship afloat, but he’s still the captain of the Titanic, which hit an iceberg in the 2010 election cycle.

Victor Gaston | Speaker Pro Tem of the Alabama House of Representatives

Dr. Gaston is the Dean of the House GOP, and probably the most widely respected voice inside the caucus. Every single Republican House member — from the freshmen all the way up to the longest serving members — rely on Gaston’s unmatched experience and steady hand. After spending decades fighting it out in the minority, no legislator has a healthier appreciation of the changes that have taken place in Montgomery since Republicans took over in 2010. He was immediately elected Speaker Pro Tempore when the GOP gained the majority. Gaston also has a unique relationship with House Speaker Mike Hubbard, who looks to him for the unvarnished truth. His role as a senior statesmen has been even further enhanced after Blaine Galliher’s move to the Governor’s office. When he speaks, people listen.

Zeke Smith | Executive Vice President of External Affairs | Alabama Power

When last year’s Power & Influence 40 was released, Smith was really just getting settled in on the job. Over the last year, he has excelled in each aspect of APCO’s external affairs and established himself as a major player on the political scene. His role at the company is extremely diverse. He has to stay on top of everything from regulatory policy to state government affairs to political fundraising. Alabama Power’s state government affairs and their regulatory department both fall under Smith’s umbrella. After rising up through the power company’s ranks, Smith has now positioned himself to be a staple on the Power & Influence 40 for years to come.