Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) has assembled a nine-member Golden Age Action Team to review Alabama government and prepare a day-one agenda before the November election.
Tuberville’s campaign described the group as a “beachhead” for the formal gubernatorial transition that would begin if he defeats Democratic nominee Doug Jones.
The team has been tasked with reviewing state agencies, developing policy and personnel recommendations, examining spending and identifying potential duplication across state government.
“This is a team of heavy hitters,” Tuberville said. “And each and every member is an Alabamian with deep roots in our state.”
Tuberville emphasized that the group does not include lobbyists, current legislators or former elected officials. Instead, the campaign assembled corporate executives, attorneys, entrepreneurs, business operators and policy professionals with experience managing large organizations.
“We’re going to streamline our state government and sell Alabama’s values, beauty and Southern grit to the world,” Tuberville said.
Jordan Doufexis, Tuberville’s longtime chief of staff, will lead the team’s review of government operations and development of policy, personnel and organizational recommendations.
“Coach has given us a clear assignment: find the waste, expose the duplication, and build a government that doesn’t waste a single cent that comes in from the Alabama taxpayers,” Doufexis said.
“We are not coming to Montgomery to maintain the status quo. We’re going to ask the hard questions, make the tough recommendations, and give Coach a plan to clean up the place.”
Other members of the team include:
Jonathan Gray, president of Strategy Public Relations and an Alabama political, policy and communications strategist.
Gibson Vance, a principal at Beasley Allen, former Alabama State Bar president and nationally recognized trial attorney.
Bruce Culpepper, the retired president and U.S. country chair of Shell Oil Company.
Reid Dove, chairman of AAA Cooper Transportation and a director of Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings.
Jim McLane, founder and owner of NaphCare, a Birmingham-based correctional health care company.
Chad Witcher, co-founder and chief operating officer of tax-incentive consulting firm Synergi Partners.
Loree Skelton, a Hoover health care attorney, businesswoman and former Alabama deputy attorney general.
Kyle Burt, president of KyKenKee, a family-owned industrial wood-products company based in Vance.
The campaign said the team brings nearly 200 combined years of experience in business, law, public policy and government.
Members are reviewing state departments, agencies, boards and commissions across areas including public safety, transportation, health care, education, energy and economic development. The group will recommend changes involving personnel, spending, policy and government structure.
The team is also studying reforms adopted in neighboring states through a working group the campaign calls “Southeastern Conservatives,” or an “SEC of government.”
Tuberville said the planning effort began in 2025 because he does not want a potential administration to spend its first year deciding how to govern.
“Most politicians wait until they win to start figuring out how to deliver on what they promised,” Tuberville said. “We’re not going to spend our first year holding meetings and making excuses. We’re going to walk in prepared and ready to win on day one.”
The team will also examine career-technical education, Alabama’s dropout rate and strategies for attracting more manufacturing and industrial investment.
“We need a government that moves at the speed of business instead of standing in the way,” Tuberville said. “Organization is the key to victory. And we’re ready to win.”
Tuberville won the Republican nomination for governor in May and will face Democratic nominee Doug Jones in November. The winner will succeed term-limited Gov. Kay Ivey.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
