A veteran advisor to Alabama’s elected officials in both Washington, D.C. and Montgomery, Jordan Howard was recently named to a strategic spot at the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) where he will coordinate partnerships central to the mission of the state’s business future.

As Vice President of Strategic Alliances for EDPA, Howard will cultivate collaboration and alignment among Alabama’s economic development organizations. He’ll also serve as the Administrative Officer for the Alabama Growth Alliance, a public-private partnership dedicated to advancing the state’s economic priorities.

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Transitioning from his senior advisory role under Alabama State Finance Director Bill Poole and Governor Kay Ivey, Howard says he’s eager to facilitate seamless collaboration among key organizations such as the Alabama Department of Commerce, Innovate Alabama, EDPA, and the Business Council of Alabama (BCA).

“Through my experiences with the Alabama Department of Finance and Innovate Alabama, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of public-private partnerships in driving economic growth,” said Howard. “I look forward to supporting EDPA in its mission to spur economic growth in Alabama, while also assisting the Alabama Growth Alliance Board of Directors in executing their ambitious vision.”

Howard will also put his Capitol Hill experience to work from his legislative roles with former U.S. Reps. Bradley Byrne and Jerry Carl, current U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), and former U.S. Senator Luther Strange. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and holds an Master of Public Administration and Policy from American University.

“We are excited to welcome Jordan to the EDPA team,” said Miller Girvin, President of EDPA. “His depth of experience and commitment to collaboration will be invaluable as we continue to support Alabama’s economic development initiatives and foster alignment among our partners.”

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The Alabama Growth Alliance, chaired by Governor Kay Ivey and co-chaired by Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair, adopted its first set of priorities in December 2024. As AGA’s Administrative Officer, Jordan will play a key role with economic development leaders across Alabama to track progress on annual economic development priorities. While Jordan and EDPA will provide administrative services to the independent entity, the work of EDPA and AGA together reflect a shared commitment to advancing Alabama’s economic potential.

“Jordan’s addition to the EDPA team and his role supporting the Alabama Growth Alliance mark an exciting step forward for our state,” said McNair. “Together, we’re building a foundation for sustainable economic growth and expanding opportunities for communities across the state.”